S4 Passat

A Volkswagen Passat is probably the last car anyone short of a 16 year old would think to modify. Jokes aside, the B5 generation of Passats hold potential very unbeknownst to nearly everyone except those who own them. Sharing more parts with Audis than they did Jettas of the time, means they stand out compared to all the other Passats which host a slew of Jetta parts. Thanks to their close relation to Audis they have as much potential as any B5. Just a little more work is required to see that potential through. When that work is done, and done right you can be left with a pretty sick car, like this one.

Funnily enough this car's story starts much like the hook. Purchased by a mother it lived a normal life until it was passed down to her son. His name was Justin and unlike his mother he wanted to go fast. Specifically fast on the autocross, and he knew this could be the car for the job. Unlike almost all its Audi brothers this car was front wheel drive, which for this application wouldn't really be a problem. With solid rear beam suspension the rear end was far less complex and lighter than an awd B5. Up front it had a multi link suspension making it handle as well as a nose heavy car like this could. The only problem was the motor, it was an N/A 30 valve. While a supercharger kit could remedy its lack of power, it couldn't fix the fact it was blown up.

Denotation can spell the end of a build, but it can also be the beginning of another. Luckily this car could live on with another motor. While it was another 30 valve this time around it wasn't a 2.8, but the 2.7. The mighty S4 motor, or in this case an allroad motor. The specific differences between the motors found in either engine code really didn't matter because this 2.7 was going to be far different from any other. That was because it was ditching the twin turbos in favor of a roots style PES supercharger.

Originally made for and probably purchased for the 2.8, this supercharger wasn't a very common upgrade. While something like a single turbo or dual KO4’s may offer a higher ceiling in terms of power, what they don't offer is instantaneous response, the supercharger does. Making it perfect for an autocrossing

environment.

This S4 Passat is the best the early 2000’s VAG world could offer (for a reasonable price). With the wider track width and solid rear beam this car could handle stout. Its 5 speed paired with the supercharged 2.7 made it a low end monster. So when Liam the (current owner) purchased this from Justin a few years back he was put in a unique position. He had a very polished car, and as an enthusiast himself he couldn't help wanting to modify it too; but if he was gonna do anything to it he’d have to get pretty creative.

Before anything was to be done he made sure to start with arguably the most important modification, a stage zero. Essentially he took care of the car maintenance wise making sure everything was up to snuff. He wasn't gonna let this obscure piece of German steel meet the same fate as so many others. After that he enjoyed it for what it was, taking it on many road trips. Trips he said went very smoothly despite the nature of the car. Don’t think it went docile though, it was still thrashed around as it was built to be.

The one thing this car couldn't do was capture any sort of curb appeal. Which was really an afterthought when Justin originally put it together. Knowing the Passat held potential to look as good as it performed Liam set forth on changing its aesthetic. Air Ride was his first move with the car. Wanting to preserve the car's ability to perform this is probably one of the most warrantable examples of using bags. Practicality and driveability aside he also just wanted to air out, who doesn't. Next came a wrap that's less vulgar than the sparkle would lead you to believe. The bright and sparkly purple wrap fit perfectly with the OEM plus clear tails installed shortly after. The car's almost sleeper-esque status was gone, the car's looks could finally match its performance.

As a product of multiple different motives and eras, you'll probably never see another Passat like this. Which doesn't mean the B5 holds any less potential, it just makes this car all the more special. It's very much a culmination of all the “what ifs”, and “who tried this”, in the heads, and on the forums for those passionate about modding their Passats. Through the efforts of 2 owners thinking within the VW group but outside of the box, possibly the most unique Passat ever has been created.