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VW Passat GT syncro G60 - Split personality

Name: Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 1990
Brand: Volkswagen

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Created on November 24, 2022

Text:

Sven Jürisch

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Sven Jürisch

Volkswagen

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Sven Jürisch

Volkswagen

Archiv

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - the top model in the Passat range for one and a half years

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - All-wheel-drive estate with 160 hp

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - as "GT" with plastic side paneling and alloy wheels as standard

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Good traction on wet roads thanks to all-wheel drive

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Intake air flows through the VW badge

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Smooth face without radiator grille

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - with roof edge spoiler from the accessories range

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Well equipped with air conditioning and leather gear knob

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Well-filled engine compartment with many air ducts

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Volkswagen Passat GT syncro G60 Variant (1991) - Officially, the alloy wheels were called "Sebring". Today they are also called "cloverleaf" because of the cover over the bolts

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VW Passat GT Synchro G 60 (1989) - the four-wheel drive and powerful Passat also pulled larger loads

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VW Passat (1990) - the third generation was again available as a station wagon, but the hatchback version was discontinued

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VW Passat VR6 Variant (B3) (1992) - photographed for a comparison test in the magazine sport auto

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Summary

The Passat was VW's top-of-the-range model in the 1990s. Of course, it also had a G-charged engine, but without really moving up into the luxury class. Despite its good driving characteristics, it simply had two cylinders too few. This article presents the VW Passat GT syncro G60, quotes contemporary press reviews and shows a picture of the model from the factory collection.

This article contains the following chapters

Standard is not enough
Praised by the press
Handling and comfort impressed
Forgotten exceptional phenomenon
Technical data

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the late 1980s, the Volkswagen Passat was technically a copy of the Audi 80. The product from Emden was a clone of the Audi B2 series right up to the five-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Then came the turning point in March 1988 in the form of the Passat with the smooth face and no radiator grille. The Type 35i Passat was the first with an engine installed transversely to the direction of travel. The installation of the five-cylinder engine was therefore ruled out, and this also meant the end of the road in terms of performance, initially at 112 hp from the familiar 1.8-liter engine. Four months later, VW added the 16V with 136 hp. However, this was still not enough to persuade customers in the upper mid-size class to switch to the larger VW. The VR6 engine originally intended for the Passat was not yet ready at this time, and so after the Polo and Corrado , the wonder weapon G-Lader also had to provide the desired increase in performance in the largest VW model.

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