Volkswagen Passat Variant
The second generation Volkswagen Passat, initially the Quantum in North America and Corsar in Mexico, launched in 1981. The B2 platform was slightly longer and the car's updated styling featured rectangular headlights that were instantly recognisable as a Passat. There were various body styles, including a hatchback, estate, sedan and station wagon, wherein the latter two were formerly sold as the Volkswagen Santana in Europe until the beginning of 1985.
The range received a minor facelift in 1985, with the sedan and estate sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa until 1987. With regards to the engines, there was a wider selection than the B1 model, ranging from a 5 cylinder Audi 2.0 L petrol to a 1.9 L diesel. The 2.0 GT5S version was the most powerful at 115 PS (85 kW), and was available with Volkswagen's 4WD system called Syncro.
In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil joined the Autolatina partnership with Ford do Brasil. As a result, the B2 shape was maintained for the sedan and wagon, and slight structural changes to the grill, front and rear ends were made. These models were then sold as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and the Ford Galaxy in Argentina. The range included the distinctive two-door Ford Royale station wagon, which created competition for the four-door Volkswagen version.
The Brazilian Santana/Quantum, in its B2 design, was a popular model even after Volkswagen introduced the more modern Passat. VW do Brasil retired the Santana in 2006 with technological considerations, rather than a drop in popularity, since it wasn't part of the flex fuel program. The Chinese Santana, which was co-developed by Volkswagen do Brasil and Shanghai-Volkswagen, has been in production since 1986. This version has a longer wheelbase than the original Santana, and was succeeded by the Volkswagen Santana 3000 in 2004 when it was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Both are still sold in China.
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