Volkswagen Passat II (B2) gallery (1980–1988)

The second Passat brought a traditional sedan version called Santana, five-cylinder Audi powerplants, and Syncro all-wheel drive.

All photos 844 I (B1) 0 1973–1981 II (B2) 0 1980–1988 III (B3) 0 1988–1993 IV (B4) 0 1993–1997 V (B5) 15 1996–2005 VI (B6) 93 2005–2010 VII (B7) 7 2010–2014 NMS 146 2011–2022 VIII (B8) 414 2014–2023 IX (B9) 9 2023

The second-generation Volkswagen Passat (B2 / Typ 32B) was introduced in late 1980. Considerably larger and more luxurious than its predecessor, it adopted an angular design language. Body options expanded to include three and five-door hatchbacks, the Variant estate, and a conventional notchback four-door sedan named Volkswagen Santana. The B2 enjoyed enormous global success with long-lasting localized production in China, Brazil, and Mexico.

The engine palette expanded to include 1.3 to 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines, 1.6-liter turbodiesels, and Audi-derived inline-five engines up to 2.2 liters. In 1984, Volkswagen launched the Passat Syncro estate featuring permanent all-wheel drive. A major mid-cycle facelift in 1985 introduced color-matched body bumpers, broader grille elements, and revised tail lamps.