PASSAT B3

About the Passat B3

The B3 Passat broke from tradition in 1988 by dropping the Audi-derived platform for a bespoke VW design. The result was a sleeker, more aerodynamic sedan with a drag coefficient of 0.28 — remarkable for the era. The VR6 narrow-angle six-cylinder became the headline engine, delivering smooth power in a compact package. Build quality was quintessentially German, and the galvanized body resisted rust better than almost anything in its class. The B3 proved VW could build a proper midsize car without borrowing Audis homework.