7. Passat W8 (2001): Eight-Cylinder Power in a Family Sedan
Volkswagen took a daring leap with the Passat W8, squeezing a compact W8 engine into a well-mannered family sedan.
This unusual eight-cylinder configuration was unheard of in the mid-size class, especially from a mainstream automaker.
While Mercedes reserved such powerplants for their flagship models, Volkswagen made V8-level performance accessible to everyday drivers—without sacrificing practicality.
The Passat W8 remains a symbol of VW’s willingness to defy convention.
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