I have a W8 Variant. I just joined this forum (found it while searching for results form the WRC Turkey).
I had a 2000 Passat V6 GLX sedan previously, and loved that car. When looking for something new, I wanted a wagon, I wanted all-wheel drive, and I wanted more power, but didn't want to lose the comfort and features I had grown accustomed to with the Passat. The W8 worked out perfectly.
The car is pretty fast...not sports car territory, but solid for a sedan. I am able to out accelerate most V6s I've encountered...if it helps, it will outaccelerate a BMW 330 automatic by about 1 car length to 60MPH, but will lose by 1 1/2 car lengths to an M3. So it is somewhere in between. Unofficial stop watch timing seems to verify 0-60 in the low to mid 6 second range...I haven't had a chance to actually clock my car though.
It is heavy, so it needs the 275HP to move properly. The greatest thing about it is how solid and stable it feels at high speeds and on highway. It really is like a tank, and is perfectly comfortable at triple-digit speeds (at 100MPH, the engine is turning UNDER 3,000RPM in 5th gear, with the redline at 6500). Without a chip, the car feels capable of 150MPH range.
The handling is very nice. I have upgraded to 17" Momo rims on the stock suspension, which tightened up the handling (already commendably stiff). The 4motion AWD system is amazing allowing foul weather handling which is extraordinary, and the car is also equipped with ESP traction control and stabilization system...very effective at controlling unwanted maneuvers. The car will drift easily with ESP turned off...but with the weight of the car, it really eats up the tires to do so unless it is raining or the roads are slick.
If you have any other questions about the W8, let me know. I'll check out these boards more often.
