NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Today W8-powered manual wagon Volkswagen Passat ceded its title of "Sickest Passat Ever" to the 900 horsepower V8 Passat unveiled by Tanner Foust for the new season of Formula Drift.
"I think I had a good run, but there's no way I can top that thing," said the W8 Passat Wagon, which was made in the early 2000s, as it was being interviewed at the area repair shop where it now spends most of its time. "I did some pretty sick things in my time. I have no regrets. I wish this new, even sicker V8 Passat drift car all the best moving forward."
Foust's Passat has been configured for rear-wheel drive and packs a massive 7.4-liter V8 of unknown sourcing (as many of you pointed out, probably a Chevy LS), which means it has about as much in common with a normal Passat as a Bugatti Veyron. It runs 700 horsepower normally or 900 horsepower on nitrous. The exhaust headers use a eight-into-one sequential collector designed by AEM to make an insanely sick screaming noise.
Foust races for Volkswagen and Rockstar Energy in various series including World Rallycross, and makes his return to three Formula D events this season for the first time since 2010. The Passat should be able to obtain groceries extremely quickly, and sideways.
Hat tip to Tristan!
Contact the author at patrick@jalopnik.com.