Factory code: Type 321 (B2) notchback saloon
With the Santana, Volkswagen wants to appeal to customers looking for a large Volkswagen with a higher level of equipment than the Passat. The Santana should be “larger and more elegant” than all previous models and is specifically designed as a “large classic touring saloon (...) the likes of which Volkswagen had never produced before” – the 1981 sales brochure clearly states the Santana’s positioning within the product range. Based on the VW Passat B2, a four-door saloon is therefore developed and presented in 1981. To distinguish it from the Passat, it is marketed under the name Santana, inspired by the Santa Ana winds in California.
Like the Passat, the saloon is produced in Emden. In addition to its large boot, the new model differs in its modified front end, including a redesigned radiator grille and indicator lights with white lenses. Additional chrome trim emphasises its positioning. This elegance is rounded off by the high-quality interior. It is initially available in the CL and GL trim levels.
At the launch of the VW Santana series, the engine range includes the following units: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (55 kW/75 PS or 63 kW/85 PS), a 1.9-litre five-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW/115 PS), and a 1.6-litre diesel engine (40 kW/54 PS) and a turbo diesel engine (51 kW/70 PS).
The 1.6-litre engine is available with optional Formula E equipment (with a stop-start system to reduce fuel consumption).
