Volkswagen Santana/上海大众桑塔纳/Volkswagen Carat/Volkswagen Corsar (B2/SVW7180/SVW7181). 1981–2012 (prod. 193,540 in Germany; 4,000,000 approx. in China). 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/F, 1296, 1588, 1595, 1715, 1781 cm³ petrol, 1588 cm³ diesel (I4 OHC), 1921, 1994, 2144, 2226 cm³ (I5 OHC). Saloon version of Passat, but positioned as a more upscale model. Produced briefly by Nissan in Japan, but 5 mm narrower to ensure it would be a class 5 segment car. Built till 1985 in Germany, when all models absorbed into Passat range. Exported to US as Volkswagen Quantum, a name which was used on the wagon in Brazil (sedans were Santanas there). Santana was one of the first foreign cars assembled in China in the Deng Xiopeng era, with pilot production from 1983 and CKD kits from 1985 (sedan and wagon). Mainstay of Chinese Volkswagen range, and the most popular car in terms of the taxi market. Began there with 1·6; 1·8 engine from 1987. Reskin with Passat (B4)-like sheetmetal from 1991 for Brazil, with similar, longer-wheelbase Santana 2000 model (still with 1·8-litre) launching in China in 1995 (though original continued well into the 2000s). Carat in Argentina. Brazilian production to 2006. Santana 3000, designed with Chinese input, from 2004. Santana Vista from 2008, another facelift bringing the car into line with more modern VWs. Simple motoring, regarded as a reliable car in China.

Manufacturing locations: Emden, Germany; Zama, Japan; General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina; São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil; Uitenhage, South Africa; Shanghai, China; México

Marque: Volkswagen | Model: Volkswagen Santana | Predecessor: Volkswagen Passat (B1) | Successors: Volkswagen Passat (B2), Volkswagen Passat (B6), Volkswagen Santana (NF)