Last night, I was getting onto the NY Thruway south from Newburgh (Exit 17) towards NYC when I spotted this Y2K Max SE about 3 cars in front of me take off from the onramp onto the highway. As I finally got onto the highway, I jumped into the left lane and floor it up until I reached the Y2k, who got hung up behind slower traffic. So as I jostle to get through this slower traffic (passing the Y2K), I wind up behind this 2G VW Passat w/Maryland tags. (I couldn't tell whether it was a 1.8T or VR6 as the emblems were removed; and I'm guessing it may have had some mods: loud exhaust, stickers, dropped...you know...RICE..er...kraut)

Anyway, once the road in front of him cleared, he floors it and of course I floor it. After about 30 seconds of metal-pedal driving, I realize that I'm about 4 car lengths behind him (doing about 125mph) and not closing in on him as fast as I thought I would. I wasn't until a couple of minutes later when we reached a moderate curve at this speed that the VW couldn't handle the way the Max does so I pulled in front of him.

As I got in front of him the road straightened out a bit an he was on my tail but there was slower traffic in front of me. Once that traffic cleared, I shifted to 3rd gear floored it again (as did he) but this time the VW appeared to have some trouble keeping up with me. (At this point, he could only keep up when I tapped the brakes a little.)

I would have raced him further but, my wife kept screaming at me to slow down the whole time so I backed off and let him pass.

To make a long story short, I would never have thought the Passat (at any trim level) could run with a 2K2 Max auto. All I can think this morning is that he may have been running nitrous to run out on me for about 3 minutes and then not have much to keep up with me afterwards.

Any thoughts guys???

 

Is the Passat W8 out yet. And if so could it have been that? Also aren't the turbos supposed to be easy to mod for a large gain in power?

 

No, this was definitely a 2nd gen Passat (body style). I wouldn't have been so perplexed if it were a new W8. And the 1.8T VW chips (at least from Autothority) are only good for a 46whp increase so that would give a 5sp 1.8T about 173whp (150hp crank - 15% tranny loss + Autothority's 46whp claim) which should be well short of the auto 2K2 Max's 200whp (approx.).

 

W8s are out. They are quick.

 

Oops didn't see you mention that it was a 2G Passat. I will read more closely next time.

 

Guys, this is the one I had the race with:


These never came with a W8 motor.

This one does come with a W8 motor option:
I didn't race this one.

 

No problem bro.

 

Still doesn't matter. It's only available in an auto and is a heavy car. In the review of it I read of it didn't do very well. I was hardly faster than the V-6 or the turbo 4.

Stereodude

 

The 1.8s can hit 195-205 hp at the wheels with a APR chip. And over 240+ lb of TQ.

 

I'm convinced he was running nitrous.