Volkswagen Quantum
The second generation Volkswagen Passat was sold as the Quantum in the United States. It replaced the Volkswagen Dasher in 1982. The third generation was introduced in 1990 and was finally renamed Passat.
Volkswagen Quantum Overview
The Volkswagen Quantum, known in other parts of the world as the Volkswagen Passat or Santana, is a mid-sized car that was produced by the German automaker Volkswagen from the early 1980s to the late 1980s in the North American market. Globally, the car was primarily known as the Volkswagen Passat, and the Quantum name was specific to the North American market. In South America and other regions, it was also called the Volkswagen Santana. The Quantum was a part of the B2 platform, which also underpinned other VW group vehicles such as the Audi 80/90.
The Quantum was available in various body styles, including a sedan, wagon, and a two-door coupe (though the coupe was rare in North America). Over its production run, the Quantum was offered with a range of gasoline and diesel engines, including inline-4 and inline-5 configurations. Some versions in North America even featured Volkswagen’s Syncro all-wheel-drive system, which was rather advanced for the period. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available depending on the model year and trim level.
Volkswagen Quantum Sales Figures
In the North American market, the Quantum was positioned as a more upscale, European alternative to domestic and some Japanese competitors in the mid-sized segment. The Quantum received praise for its handling, build quality, and the efficiency of its diesel variants. However, it didn’t achieve significant sales success in North America, especially compared to its Japanese competitors.
Volkswagen Quantum U.S Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 8,570 |
| 1983 | 16,094 |
| 1984 | 16,955 |
| 1985 | 15,597 |
| 1986 | 11,779 |
| 1987 | 6,655 |
| 1988 | 3,030 |
| 1989 | 936 |
| 1990 | 46 |
| 1991 | 2 |
