After the Quantum’s exit from the US marketplace in 1988, Volkswagen decided to use the Passat name for the first time stateside. The B3 Passat was released in North America in 1990 with the 2.0 liter, 16 valve four cylinder engine. The 2.8 liter VR6 engine did not appear until 1992, but in between, there was a little known variant offered with the Syncro four-wheel drive system: the G60. Under the hood was the same supercharged 1.8 liter four cylinder engine that first appeared in the Corrado, producing 160 horsepower. This model was not for US consumption, but a handful did make their way to Canada. This G60 Syncro sedan for sale in Illinois is one of those few.
1992 Volkswagen Passat G60 Syncro on eBay
You are bidding on a extremely rare 1992 Volkswagen Passat supercharged G60 Syncro (AWD) sedan, which only 250 were sold in Canada. The car has zero zero rust! In showroom condition! New headliner, rebuilt supercharger, updated T-belt, newer clutch. Hella round headlights with HIDs, smoked tails from Europe, Clarion CD player, 274,000 kilometers about 170,000 miles, original Fuchs 15 rims with like new winter tires. Keyless entry alarm with remote start! A/C has been retro fitted to R134. New tints on the windows. Rear reclining seats! Bilstein shocks with H&R springs! The runs and drives perfect, can be driven all the way to Alaska if you like. Heating pads replaced in the seats. The HVAC controls are acting up so it will need to be replaced soon. Clean Illinois title in hand!
The B3 and B4 Passats were never known for their reliability, so taking a chance on this oddball with mechanicals more complex than your usual B3 Passat takes a brave soul. A car like this would more than likely appeal to the die-hard water cooled VW enthusiasts or for someone who likes obscure cars and lives in a climate that necessitates four-wheel drive. By itself, the B3 Passat isn’t a terribly popular car and didn’t sell in huge numbers. Even the best example out there might struggle to break the $5,000 mark. At a starting bid of $4,000 with this kind of mileage, I’d say this is all of the money for this car, if not more. I’m attracted to this car because it’s unique, but I’m sure maintenance and sourcing parts would keep you on edge.
-Paul
Not sure the link is working, Paul. Maybe because I’m accessing the internet from a different location?
Is the Syncro system the same as the Quattro system? I was under the impression that the G60 engine was more reliable than the 2.8 VR6 engine. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Earily 90’s Passat’s with the vr6 engine are going for cheap in my area.
I believe this G60 syncro combination is the same one used in the Golf Rallye. If so, it’s a Haldex system, not the Torsen-based quattro system.
The VR6 is generally a pretty strong and reliable engine. When the G60 in the Corrado was replaced with the VR6, it transformed that car’s performance. I haven’t lived with a G60 long term, but my understanding is that it is not as reliable as the VR6. This seller notes that his G60 was rebuilt, but that may have been due to the higher mileage.
“The B3 Passat isn’t a terribly popular car and didn’t sell in huge numbers.” True, it’s looks were polarizing – particularly compared to the Quantum (B2 Passat elsewhere) it replaced. As noted, the early 90’s was not exactly a highpoint for VW reliability either. So, of course, I bought a new one anyway.
While my ’94 GLX VR6 manual was a surprisingly enjoyable and highly functional family car, it had the typical electrical and accessory issues also – even while still under warranty. “The HVAC controls are acting up.” Not surprising at all – the HVAC control unit on my car was replaced twice. All the addressed and not-yet-addressed issues aside, 170K miles on a B3 Passat is quite a lot. Since the G60 motor probably has to work pretty hard to get an AWD B3 Passat going, I’d also wonder about continued longevity.
The starting bid is way more than “all the money.” The G60 syncro may be an uncommon variant . in the US, but it’s still a B3 Passat with high mileage. B3 Passat GLX VR6 models with that kind of mileage go for half that. It’s nowhere close to “showroom condition,” and will continue to provide it’s new owner with all sorts of repair and maintenance entertainment. It would be very well sold at anywhere near the starting bid.
the early VW stuff like the QSW was quattro, which has an open front diff, torsen center, and open rear, so the power goes to all 4 all the time (normal open diff rules apply)
the later Syncro stuff uses a torque sensing diff (haldex) same as 4 motion, so it’s biased towards the front primarily, and engages the rear when needed.
All kinds of great AWD info here: http://www.awdwiki.com/en/volkswagen/ and http://www.awdwiki.com/en/quattro+evolutions/.
My earlier description was probably misleading though. The torque sensing element isn’t unique to quattro, but in any event, the B3 Passat syncro didn’t use the quattro system.
Brian, Torsen was not available on the QSW. Torsen quattro debuted in the 80/90/100/200/V8. The UR/4000/Quantum had twin manual locking differentials. The early syncros are not haldex, but viscous coupling setups developed by Steyr-Daimler and VW.
Haldex systems came out on the Mk 4 (4motion) and TT quattro platform, and are utilized on the transverse engine platforms.
I think this thing is great. Nice find.