Passat B2 (1980–1988)

From August 1982, a new diesel engine is available that provides the appropriate power for the larger and heavier body: the 70 PS turbodiesel, which combines economy with a lively performance.

This model year sees the Passat receive new or modified petrol engines: the five-cylinder engine is enlarged to two litres, increasing torque. The 1.8-litre long-stroke engine with 90 PS is introduced, impressing with its pleasant performance characteristics.

In March, the lavishly equipped Carat trim line is launched with power steering and – for that time – wide tyres in the 195/60 R14 size.

In July, the Passat GT arrives, featuring the 1.8-litre, 112 PS engine from the Golf II GTI. It also comes with a short-ratio 5-speed sports gearbox, sports seats, and a sports steering wheel with an easy-grip design.

The all-wheel-drive Passat syncro goes on sale in October. The syncro models are only available as a Variant with GT equipment and a 5-cylinder engine enlarged by 100 cubic centimetres to 2.0 litres and 115 PS. The Group partner Audi contributes the complex drivetrain for the syncro. To accommodate it, the B2 has to be significantly redesigned. The centre tunnel is enlarged to accommodate the new cardan shaft. The tank is moved from its position above the rear axle to in front of it, and its capacity is increased to 70 litres. Similar to the Golf syncro, a completely new rear axle with semi-trailing arm suspension is now placed in the position of the tank, displacing the spare wheel from its traditional location behind the rear axle and ultimately transforming it into an emergency wheel that is stored in the side of the load compartment. The syncro is now complete, ideal for people who experience long winters and need a large cargo space for work or leisure.

From October, the 1.8-litre engine with 90 PS is available as an injection engine with a regulated catalytic converter.

This year sees the Passat B2 undergo extensive revision: the bumpers are replaced by plastic-coated ones that extend to the wheel arches. The Passat also gets a redesigned radiator grille with halogen wide-beam headlights. The hatchback has new horizontal rear lights, and the rear window is enlarged and flush-mounted instead of being held in a rubber frame as before.

The two-door model is discontinued in this model year. The top-of-the-range engine is now the 2.2-litre five-cylinder with 136 PS borrowed from Audi. And the Passat with a notchback, formerly offered as the Santana, is now also called Passat.

The 1.3-litre engine is discontinued. The Carat luxury equipment package is also no longer available from this year onwards.

Production ends on 31 March 1988, with only the syncro continuing until July 1988. A total of 3,345,248 Passat B2s are manufactured in Germany. The Variant accounts for 60 percent of sales, with the 1.8-litre petrol engine with 90 PS being the most popular choice.

The Passat B2 is sold in many different versions abroad: in the USA and Brazil as the Quantum estate, in Mexico as the Corsar, and in Argentina as the Carat. In Brazil, it is called the Quantum. With minor body modifications, it is sold under the Ford brand (Autolatina project) as the Ford Versailles (saloon) or Ford Royale (estate). In China, the Variant and saloon versions are also produced as Santana. A version of the heavily modified Brazilian Santana with a longer wheelbase is also available there.