Hi there, I have the same exact symptoms on my 2004 Passat 2.0 , car not starting, smell of fuel and sometimes while driving at normal speed car would stall, press the fuel and no response at all, until 10 secs stalling in the middle of the highway then the car would get its energy back.
List below of items changed:
MAF sensor no improvement
Spark plugs no improvement
Fuel filter no improvement
Radiator, water pump, timing belt, fan no improvement
At last fuel pump no improvement
I did my research and thought of the fuel relay, but my mechanic said if any problem with relay
It should come up on the computer scan which it didn't
Coolant temperature sensor was replaced today 7 February and things look ok till now.
Don't know if the problem is solved. But car is driving well.
Will update if any changes