B1
1974-1988. An Audi derived platform, the first Volkswagen Passat was nearly identical to the Audi 80 (Audi Fox in US), sharing much of its mechanical systems, including its longitudinal engine placement.
B1 platform cars:
* VW Passat B1 / VW Dasher (Typ 32, 1974-1981; 1975-1988 in Brazil)
* Audi 80 (Typ 80, 1973–1976)
* Audi 80 (Typ 82, 1977–1978)
[edit] BX
1980-1993. The BX platform, developed Volkwagen's Brazilian subsidiary (Volkswagen do Brasil), again borrowed heavily from the Audi 80 (Fox/4000) of the day. The BX platform was used for the Brazilian Volkswagen Gol, Voyage (Gacel or Senda - In Argentina, and Fox in the U.S.), Parati (Amazon in U.S.), Saveiro (pickup) and Furgão (van) models. The Gol/Fox was quite unique in that it started life with a four-cylinder air cooled engine (borrowed from the VW Beetle), and eventually ended up with a more modern watercooled engine, being sold in the US for the first time as a 1987 model. The VW BX family was restyled in 1987 and 1991.
[edit] B2
Still an Audi derived platform, this time based on the Audi 80/4000, again, including its longitudinal engine placement and, on some European models, the quattro four-wheel drive system, rebranded Syncro for Volkswagen cars. The Santana (facelifted) is still produced to this day in some countries, as is the Gol.
B2 platform cars:
* Volkswagen Passat B2 (Typ 32B, 1981-1988; 1982-1988 in the US where it was sold as the Quantum)
* Audi 80 and 90 (Typ 81, 1979–1987)
* Audi 4000CS quattro (Typ 85, 1984–1987)
* Audi Coupé (Typ 85, 1981–1987)
* Audi Quattro (Typ 85, 1981–1991)
* Audi Sport Quattro (1984–1987)
* Volkswagen Gol Generation 2 to Generation 4 (1994-present)
* Volkswagen Santana (1984-2006)
[edit] B3
The B3 Volkswagen Passat was the first B platform car to be called Passat in the United States. The B3 was also the first Passat with an independently designed platform, it did not share parts with Audis. Instead, the design borrowed heavily from the A2 platform.
Фольксваген Пассат Б3 platform cars:
* Volkswagen Passat B3 (Typ 35i, 1988-1993; 1990-1994 in US)
* Volkswagen Corrado (1988-1995, hybrid platform with A2)
The "B3" designation is also used to refer to the "Typ 89" version of the Audi 80/90 produced from 1987 to 1992 and the "Typ 8B" Audi Coupé and S2. However these are not based on the same platform as the "B3" Passat.
[edit] B4
The B4 Passat was a face lifted B3 (receiving its own generation number is controversial), remaining nearly mechanically identical, but with entirely new sheetmetal, and an updated interior design.
Фольксваген Пассат Б4 platform cars:
* Volkswagen Passat B4 (Typ 35i, 1993-1996; U.S. 1995-1997)
The "B4" designation is also used to refer to the "Typ 8C" version of the Audi 80 and RS2 produced from 1991 to 1994. However these are not based on the same platform as the "B4" Passat.
[edit] B5 (PL45)
1996-2005. The B5 Volkswagen Passat borrows its platform from the original Audi A4, resulting in a longitudinal engine placement, which differs from the A platform which have been traditionally transversely mounted. B5 platform cars can be equipped with a multilink front suspension and a Torsen centre differential for quattro or 4motion branded four-wheel drive systems.
Фольксваген Пассат Б5 platform cars:
* Audi A4 (Typ 8D, 1996-2002)
* Audi S4 (Typ 8D, 1997-2002)
* Volkswagen Passat B5 (Typ 3B, 1996-2001)
* Volkswagen Passat B5.5 (Typ 3BG, 2001-2005)
* Volkswagen Passat Lingyu B5 (1999-present; long wheelbase version for Chinese market)
* Škoda Superb (Typ 3U, based on Chinese LWB Passat, platform PL45+)
The B5 received a facelift in 2001. The resulting Passats are referred to as B5.5.
[edit] B6
The designation "B6" is used to identify the "Typ 8E" Audi A4/S4 produced from late 2000 to 2005. The platform used by these models is known as the PL46 platform.
Confusingly, the current generations of Volkswagen's Passat are colloquially referred to as "B6", given that they are Volkswagen's 6th generation midsized sedan. However this model uses the PQ46 platform for its sixth generation, a slightly enlarged version of the Golf Mk5 and Jetta Mk5's PQ35 platform.
PL46 platform cars:
* Audi A4 (Typ 8E/8H (saloon: 8E2, Avant: 8E5) / 8H7 (Cabriolet), 2001-2005)
* Audi S4 (Typ 8E, 2003-2005)
PQ46 platform cars:
* Volkswagen Passat (Typ 3C, 2006-)
* Volkswagen Passat CC (2009-)
* Skoda Superb II (200
[edit] B7
The Audi A4 and S4 has a "B7" generation, from 2005 to 2008. However, this seventh generation of the car was a minor revision of the PL46 platform, but with major revisions to engine ranges, with restyled bodywork, and suspension revisions. The B7 A4/S4 retains the Typ 8E/8H numbers of the B6 A4/S4.
* Audi A4 (Typ 8EC (saloon), 8ED (Avant), 8HE (Cabriolet), 2005-2008)
* Audi S4 (2006-2008)
* SEAT Exeo (derived from B7 Audi A4)
[edit] MLB/MLP (B8)
The MLB (Modularer Längsbaukasten (German)) or Audi MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform), sometimes referred to as the B8 platform, is noteworthy for placing the front differential ahead of the clutch, allowing the front axle to be moved forward 4 inches. This increase in wheelbase causes a more rearward weight distribution for better vehicle dynamics.
MLB platform cars:
* Audi A5 (Typ 8T, 2007-)
* Audi A4 (Typ 8K, 200
* Audi Q5 (Typ 8R, 2009-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group_B_platform
