VW Passat Variant, 1980

VW Passat Variant, 1980

The second generation Volkswagen Passat was a large family car car launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognisable as Passat, with the most obvious difference being the rectangular headlights. The car was known as the Quantum in North America, where it was introduced in 1982, and Corsar in Mexico, where it was sold between 1985 and 1988.

As well as the Passat hatchback and estate there was also a sedan, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the Volkswagen Santana in Europe.
The range received a minor facelift in 1985, with the sedan, now known as the Passat, sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa until 1987.

The range of engines was more extensive than that of the first generation Passat, and included a 5 cylinder Audi 2.0 L petrol and a 1.9 L diesel as well as all the engines previously available in the B1 model. The 2.0 GT5S version had a power output of 115 PS (85 kW) and was available with VW's 4WD system, called Syncro.

In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil was involved in its Autolatina partnership with Ford do Brasil. Rather than tool up for the third generation Passat (B3), retained the B2 shaped sedan and wagon & made structural changes to the grill, front and rear ends (including front & rear guards). These structural changes made it look like a modern B3 Passat, which some car enthusiasts commonly mistake it for.

Under terms with Autolatina , the car was also sold as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and as the Ford Galaxy in Argentina. This range included a unique station wagon version called the Ford Royale, which unlike the Volkswagen version, had only two doors. Although such models were relatively popular in Brazil, and had been sold by Ford before, it was also alleged that Volkswagen did not want the Royale to be available as a four-door model, as this would have posed a competitive threat.

The Brazilian Santana/Quantum proved very popular in their local market, even after VW finally introduced the more modern Passat. The Quantum was available in the VW line-up until 2002, and the Santana was finally retired in July 2006, more out of technological considerations than a drop in popularity, as the car was not a part of Volkswagen do Brasil's current flex fuel program.
The Chinese Santana, with the European Passat B2 design, has been built by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint-venture since 1986.

In 1991, the Volkswagen Santana 2000 was put into development with Volkswagen do Brasil and started mass production in 1995, it has since been replaced in 2004 by the Volkswagen Santana 3000 which was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Both the original Santana and the Santana 3000 are still sold in China.
The Brazilian Santana and Chinese version were co-developed between the two companies, although the Chinese versions have a longer wheelbase.

VW Passat, 1980

VW Passat, 1980

 

The second generation Volkswagen Passat was a large family car car launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognisable as Passat, with the most obvious difference being the rectangular headlights. The car was known as the Quantum in North America, where it was introduced in 1982, and Corsar in Mexico, where it was sold between 1985 and 1988.

As well as the Passat hatchback and estate there was also a sedan, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the Volkswagen Santana in Europe.
The range received a minor facelift in 1985, with the sedan, now known as the Passat, sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa until 1987.

The range of engines was more extensive than that of the first generation Passat, and included a 5 cylinder Audi 2.0 L petrol and a 1.9 L diesel as well as all the engines previously available in the B1 model. The 2.0 GT5S version had a power output of 115 PS (85 kW) and was available with VW's 4WD system, called Syncro.

In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil was involved in its Autolatina partnership with Ford do Brasil. Rather than tool up for the third generation Passat (B3), retained the B2 shaped sedan and wagon & made structural changes to the grill, front and rear ends (including front & rear guards). These structural changes made it look like a modern B3 Passat, which some car enthusiasts commonly mistake it for.

Under terms with Autolatina , the car was also sold as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and as the Ford Galaxy in Argentina. This range included a unique station wagon version called the Ford Royale, which unlike the Volkswagen version, had only two doors. Although such models were relatively popular in Brazil, and had been sold by Ford before, it was also alleged that Volkswagen did not want the Royale to be available as a four-door model, as this would have posed a competitive threat.

The Brazilian Santana/Quantum proved very popular in their local market, even after VW finally introduced the more modern Passat. The Quantum was available in the VW line-up until 2002, and the Santana was finally retired in July 2006, more out of technological considerations than a drop in popularity, as the car was not a part of Volkswagen do Brasil's current flex fuel program.

The Chinese Santana, with the European Passat B2 design, has been built by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint-venture since 1986.

In 1991, the Volkswagen Santana 2000 was put into development with Volkswagen do Brasil and started mass production in 1995, it has since been replaced in 2004 by the Volkswagen Santana 3000 which was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Both the original Santana and the Santana 3000 are still sold in China.
The Brazilian Santana and Chinese version were co-developed between the two companies, although the Chinese versions have a longer wheelbase.

Lotus Esprit Turbo, 1980

Lotus Esprit Turbo, 1980

 

By the close of 1980, Lotus were effectively building three different models of Esprit, with distinct chassis designs and body moulds - the Domestic (i.e. UK) S2.2, the Export S2.2, and the dry-sump Turbo Esprit. Introduced in April 1981, the Turbo Esprit and S3 (Series 3) Esprits marked a necessary consolidation: both new models had a common chassis, inheriting much of the configuration of the Essex cars, whilst body production was based on a single common set of moulds.

The S3 continued to use the 2.2 L type 910 engine of the S2.2, whilst the Turbo Esprit reverted to a less complex wet-sump lubrication system, retaining the power and torque outputs of its dry-sump predecessor. The interior for both cars was revised and featured new trim; combined with changes to the body moulds this resulted in more headroom and an enlarged footwell. Externally, the Turbo Esprit retained the full aerodynamic body kit of the Essex cars, and featured prominent 'turbo esprit' decals on the nose and sides; the S3 gained the more substantial bumpers, yet retained the simpler sill line and glazed rear hatch of the S2.2 body style. Both models were supplied with 15" BBS alloy wheels.

In April 1986, the final incarnations of the Giugiaro-styled Esprit were announced, with raised engine compression giving rise to their 'HC' moniker. This increased the output of the naturally aspirated engine to 172 horsepower (128 kW) and 160 lb·ft (220 N·m) for the Esprit HC, and to 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 220 lb·ft (300 N·m) for the Turbo Esprit HC, with the increased torque available at a lower rpm. For markets with stringent emissions requirements, Lotus introduced the HCi variant, teaming the higher compression engine with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection - the first fuel-injected Esprits.

Porsche 930 Turbo, 1980

Porsche 930 Turbo, 1980

The Porsche 930 (usually pronounced nine-thirty) was a sports car built by Porsche, 930 actually being the "type number" for the pre-964 generation Porsche 911 Turbo produced between 1975 and 1989. It was Porsche's top-of-the-range model for its entire production duration and at the time of its introduction the fastest production car available in Germany.

Model history
Porsche began experimenting with turbocharging technology on their race cars during the late 1950s, and in 1972 began development on a turbocharged version of the 911. Porsche originally needed to produce the car in order to comply with homologation regulations and had intended on marketing it as a street legal race vehicle like the 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS. When the homologation rules changed, Porsche continued to develop the car anyway, deciding to make it a fully-equipped variant of the 911 that would top the model range and give Porsche a more direct competitor to vehicles from Ferrari and Lamborghini, which were more expensive and more exclusive than the standard 911. Although Porsche no longer needed the car to meet homologation requirements, it proved a viable platform for racing vehicles, and became the basis for the 934 and 935 race cars. Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche, who was running the company at the time, handed development of the vehicle over to Ernst Fuhrmann, who adapted the turbo-technology originally developed for the 917/30 CAN-AM car to the 3.0 litre flat-six from the Carrera RS 3.0, creating what Porsche internally dubbed as 930. Total output from the engine was 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp), much more than the standard Carrera. In order to ensure that the platform could make the most of the higher power output, a revised suspension, larger brakes and stronger gearbox became part of the package, although some consumers were unhappy with Porsche's use of a 4-speed whilst a 5-speed manual was available in the "lesser" Carrera. A "Whale-Tail" rear spoiler was installed to help vent more air to the engine and help create more downforce at the rear of the vehicle, and wider rear wheels with upgraded tires combined with flared wheelarches were added to increase the 911's width and grip, making it more stable.

Porsche badged the vehicle simply as "Turbo" (although early U.S. units were badged as "Turbo Carrera") and debuted it at the Paris Auto Show in October 1974 before putting it on sale in the spring of 1975; export to the United States began in 1976.

The Porsche 930 proved very fast but also very demanding. The 911 was prone to oversteer because of its rear engine layout and short wheelbase; combining those traits with the power of the turbocharged motor, which exhibited significant turbo-lag, meant driving the car required more skill to drive at the edge of its (higher) level of performance. Even though the rear engine layout provided superior traction, sudden bursts of power to the rear wheels in mid-corner could break the tires loose, causing the car to literally spin out of control. This effect was amplified if an unexperienced driver would instinctively lift the throttle in reaction. The vehicle needed to be kept at high revs during spirited driving to minimise the turbo lag. Skilled drivers quickly learned how to drive the Porsche 930 properly, and with that knowledge came the ability to drive the car above and beyond the levels of most other sports cars. Nevertheless, some fatal accidents resulted in product liability law suits brought against Porsche in the US, where Ralph Nader had made his name criticizing the rear engine-rear wheel drive layout of the Chevrolet Corvair.

Porsche made its first and most significant upgrades to the Porsche 930 for 1978, enlarging the engine to 3.3 litres and adding an air-to-air intercooler. By cooling the pressurized air charge, the intercooler helped increase power output to 300 hp (DIN); the rear 'whale tail' spoiler was re-profiled and raised slightly to make room for the intercooler. Porsche also upgraded the brakes to units similar to those used on the 917 racecar.

Changing emissions regulations in Japan and the U.S. forced Porsche to withdraw the 930 from those markets in 1980. Believing the 928 would eventually replace the 911, Fuhrmann cut-back spending on the model, and it was not until Fuhrmann's resignation the company finally committed the financing to re-regulate the car.

The Porsche 930 remained available in Europe, and for 1983 a 330 PS (243 kW; 325 hp) performance option became available on a build-to-order basis from Porsche. With the add-on came a 4-pipe exhaust system and an additional oil-cooler requiring a remodelled front spoiler and units bearing the add-on often featured additional ventilation holes in the rear fenders and modified rockers.

Porsche offered a "Flachbau" ("slantnose") Porsche 930 under the "Sonderwunschprogramm" (special order) program beginning in 1981, an otherwise normal 930 with a 935-style slantnose instead of the normal 911 front end. Each Flachbau unit was handcrafted by remodeling the front fenders. So few were built that the slantnose units often commanded a high premium over sticker, adding to the fact that they required a premium of up to 60 per cent (highly indivdualized cars even more) over the standard price. Several sources claim the factory built 948 units. The Flachbau units delivered in Europe usually featured the 330 hp (246 kW) performance kit.

928 sales had risen slightly by the 1985 model year, but there was still some question as to if it were truly capable of superseding the 911 as the company's premier model, and for 1986 Porsche re-introduced the Porsche 930 to the Japanese and U.S. markets, now featuring an emission-controlled engine producing 282 PS (207 kW; 278 hp). At the same time Porsche introduced the Targa and Cabriolet variants, both of which proved popular.

Porsche discontinued the 930 after model year 1989 when its underlying "G-Series" platform was being replaced by the 964. '89 models were the only versions of the Porsche 930 to feature a 5-speed transmission. A turbo version of the 964 officially succeeded the Porsche 930 in 1991 with a modified version of the same 3.3 litre flat-6 engine and a 5-speed transmission.

Audi quattro, 1980

Audi quattro, 1980

 

 

The Audi Quattro was a famous and historically significant Audi road and Rally car. It was special in that it was the first AWD Grand Tourer since 1966's Jensen FF. Officially, the model name is simply "Quattro", always with a capital "Q" (although the graphics on the car, confusingly, refer to the AWD system and use a lowercase "q"). The word "quattro" with the lowercase "q" is used to refer to either the Audi AWD system, or any AWD version of an Audi automobile. To avoid confusion, it is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro (the "Ur-" prefix is a German augmentative used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 sport sedans, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6").

European Distribution
Audi released the original Quattro in 1980, making it both the first car to feature Audi's quattro All Wheel Drive system (hence its name) and the first to mate quattro with a turbocharged engine. The powerplant was a 2.1 L, single overhead cam, 10 valve straight-5 originally making 160 hp (149 kW) and eventually receiving upgrades to 200 hp and then to a twin-cam setup producing 220 hp (164 kW). It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time, and was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of all-wheel-drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of all-wheel-drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was an instant success, winning its first rally on its first outing. It won competition after competition for the next two years.

Total road car production is around 11,000 vehicles over the period 1980-1991. The body style received very little modification during its production run, the only significant changes were made for the 1985 model year, which included a new sloping front grill, headlights, trim and badging changes. All Quattros were hand built in Germany by a dedicated crew.

North American Distribution
Sales of the Quattro in North America began with the 1983 model year and continued through 1986. Total sales in the USA was 664 units.

The Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Sport Quattro was a Quattro program car developed for Group B rallying homologation, and sold as a production car in limited numbers - it featured a different body shell and a significantly shorter wheelbase.

Other information
The Quattro is also famous for being a career highlight of one of the pre-eminent women in rally racing, Michèle Mouton.

Lotus Esprit Turbo, 1980

Lotus Esprit Turbo, 1980

By the close of 1980, Lotus were effectively building three different models of Esprit, with distinct chassis designs and body moulds - the Domestic (i.e. UK) S2.2, the Export S2.2, and the dry-sump Turbo Esprit. Introduced in April 1981, the Turbo Esprit and S3 (Series 3) Esprits marked a necessary consolidation: both new models had a common chassis, inheriting much of the configuration of the Essex cars, whilst body production was based on a single common set of moulds.

The S3 continued to use the 2.2 L type 910 engine of the S2.2, whilst the Turbo Esprit reverted to a less complex wet-sump lubrication system, retaining the power and torque outputs of its dry-sump predecessor. The interior for both cars was revised and featured new trim; combined with changes to the body moulds this resulted in more headroom and an enlarged footwell. Externally, the Turbo Esprit retained the full aerodynamic body kit of the Essex cars, and featured prominent 'turbo esprit' decals on the nose and sides; the S3 gained the more substantial bumpers, yet retained the simpler sill line and glazed rear hatch of the S2.2 body style. Both models were supplied with 15" BBS alloy wheels.

In April 1986, the final incarnations of the Giugiaro-styled Esprit were announced, with raised engine compression giving rise to their 'HC' moniker. This increased the output of the naturally aspirated engine to 172 horsepower (128 kW) and 160 lb·ft (220 N·m) for the Esprit HC, and to 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 220 lb·ft (300 N·m) for the Turbo Esprit HC, with the increased torque available at a lower rpm. For markets with stringent emissions requirements, Lotus introduced the HCi variant, teaming the higher compression engine with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection - the first fuel-injected Esprits.

Audi Quattro, 1980

Audi Quattro, 1980

Audi Quattro, 1980

The Audi Quattro was a famous and historically significant Audi road and Rally car. It was special in that it was the first AWD Grand Tourer since 1966's Jensen FF. Officially, the model name is simply "Quattro", always with a capital "Q" (though the graphics on the car, confusingly, refer to the AWD system and use a lowercase "q").

The word "quattro" with the lowercase "q" is used to refer to either the Audi AWD system, or any AWD version of an Audi automobile. To avoid confusion, it is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro (the "Ur-" prefix is a German augmentative used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 sport sedans, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6").

European Distribution
Audi released the original Quattro in 1980, making it both the first car to feature Audi's quattro All Wheel Drive system (hence its name) and the first to mate quattro with a turbocharged engine. The powerplant was a 2.1 L, single overhead cam, 10 valve straight-5 originally making 160 hp (149 kW) and eventually receiving upgrades to 200 hp and then to a twin-cam setup producing 220 hp (164 kW). It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time, and was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of all-wheel-drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of all-wheel-drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was an instant success, winning its first rally on its first outing. It won competition after competition for the next two years.

Total road car production is around 11,000 vehicles over the period 1980-1991. The body style received very little modification during its production run, the only significant changes were made for the 1985 model year, which included a new sloping front grill, headlights, trim and badging changes. All Quattros were hand built in Germany by a dedicated crew.

North American Distribution
Sales of the Quattro in North America began with the 1983 model year and continued through 1986. Total sales in the USA was 664 units.

The Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Sport Quattro was a Quattro program car developed for Group B rallying homologation, and sold as a production car in limited numbers - it featured a different body shell and a significantly shorter wheelbase.

Other information
The Quattro is also famous for being a career highlight of one of the pre-eminent women in rally racing, Michèle Mouton.
In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number four on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.