In practice, the W8 engine is created from two narrow-angle (15 degree) VR4 engines mounted at an angle of 72 degrees from each other on a common crankshaft.
[citation needed] The engine had a displacement of 3,999 cc (4 L), had a peak power rating of 202 kW (271 hp) at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque rating of 370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 2,750 rpm.
Power and torque outputs were lower than competitors V8 engines with similar capacity, however the W8 engine was praised for its smoothness.
[3][4] Sales of the W8-engined Passat models were poor, and production was discontinued when the next generation of Passat switched from a longitudinal engine to a transverse engine layout, which made packaging of the wide W8 engine difficult.
The W8 was effectively replaced by the Volkswagen 3.6-litre VR6 petrol engine.