The Passat by Volkswagen is available as a midsize sedan or wagon and offer a step up from the Jetta to the near-luxury category with a higher level of performance and sophistication. Introduced in 1974, the Passat marked a radical departure for Volkswagen at the time with front-wheel drive and a water-cooled engine. The Passat was completely new for the 1998 model year with a more appealing design and slightly larger than its predecessor. It offered the same engines available in the Jetta, namely the base 2.0L 4 cylinder, 1.8L Turbo, (dubbed 1.8T), 1.9L 4 cylinder Turbo Diesel (dubbed TDI), and 2.8L V6 engine, (dubbed VR6). For a few years there was even a high-performance Passat with a powerful W8 engine. The Passat was available in front or all-wheel-drive configurations. All-wheel-drive models used the same system developed and used by Audi in their popular A4 and A6 sedans, named Quattro. For Passat duty, the system was renamed 4Motion. For 2006 the Passat was redesigned with a longer wheelbase, a wider body and a number of exterior and interior features, as well as new and updated engines and transmissions.