| Volkswagen Santana | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A Santana II in China. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | |
| Production | 1983–2022 (China) 1981–1984 (Europe) 1984–1989 (Japan) 1984–2006 (Brazil) |
| Model years | 1983–2022 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Shanghai SH760[1] (China) |
The Volkswagen Santana is a nameplate used by Volkswagen for various sedans and station wagons since 1983. The first generation is based on the second-generation Volkswagen Passat (B2). It was introduced in 1981[2] while production started in 1983 for China. The use of the "Santana" badge rather than "Passat" echoes the use of different names for the sedan versions of the Polo (Derby) and Golf (Jetta).
In North America, it was also known as the Volkswagen Quantum. In Mexico, it was named the Volkswagen Corsar, while in Argentina it was sold as the Volkswagen Carat. In Brazil and other South American countries it was known as the Santana, while the Passat Variant B2 wagon was marketed as the Quantum. In Europe, the Santana name was dropped in 1985 (with the exception of Spain, where the Santana nameplate was retained) and the car was sold as a Passat. European test production ended in 1988 while Latin American production continued until 2006. Chinese production of the three box sedan continued until January 2013.
The final Chinese versions were named Santana Vista, and the name Santana was used on a new 2013 model, slightly smaller and based on the Škoda Rapid and SEAT Toledo.
- ^ "Shanghai SH760". Louwman Museum. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Larsson, Per-Olof (1 December 2012). "Good design. The legendary Volkswagen Santana". GU Executive Education. University of Gothenburg. Archived from the original on 2023-12-01.