The B5.5 passat (like the B5) is based on the Audi chassis. Audi needs longitudinal engines to allow things like 4.2Lturbos to be mounted in A4's. So the passat inherited the longitudinal layout. This also allows them to use one AWD system for both Passats and Audi's. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.