WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 3 EVENTS OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY: A 'POP' SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA, COPIOUS WHITE SMOKE (NOT STEAM) FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ACTIVATION. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, AND WHITE SMOKE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM (CLOSED) HOOD, FOLLOWED WITHIN 5 MINUTES BY OPEN FLAMES FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL WELL. FIRE CREWS WERE ON SCENE WITHIN 10 MINUTES, BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED AND A TOTAL LOSS. *NM