The Volkswagen Passat turns 40
Volkswagen has sold around 2 crore Passat units worldwide. It is now celebrating 40 years of one of the best selling cars in the world. Introduced in 1973 as a hatchback, even Volkswagen couldn't have possibly anticipated the success of the Passat.
The first-generation Passat, which included initial hatchback variants and a five-door station wagon estate introduced in 1974, sold 25 lakh units worldwide.
The second-generation version with a turbocharged diesel engine, all wheel drive system and a five cylinder petrol engine was introduced in 1978. The diesel version was so popular that it was being sold in China and Latin America till 2012 under the badge name Santana.
Sold over seven generations, Passats have been badged variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat.
VW's latest variants of the Passat are its new mid-size sedan, or NMS, for the North American, Chinese and South Korean markets and a different B7 Passat for other markets. The seventh generation Passat â€" the NMS â€" was one of three cars from the Volkswagen family to enter the top 10 list of the best selling cars in the world.
The sixth-generation Passat was the first to be launched in India. The eighth generation Passat will be launched next year and will be based on the MQB Platform. Volkswagen also has a halo Passat R-Line and a coupe version called the Passat CC in the market, but they are not likely to be sold in India.
To quote Volkswagen, the Passat "has been designed for the permanent success of the Volkswagen programme. It stands for the higher positioning of the brand and the democratisation of advanced technologies."
Initially designed by Giorgio Giugiaro, the Passat was meant to attract middle-class families. The Passat has won three 'European Car of the Year' awards and was shortlisted for the 'World Car of the Year' in 2006.
The 2013 Passat TDI sets new Guiness World Record for fuel economy under the non-hybrid car category. It achieved a fuel efficiency of 33kmpl.