Commented On: Spy shots: Next-gen VW Passat test-mule hits the ‘Ring
Motor Authority
@ Suggs
For most of those competing years, the VW Passat was Audi 80 "light." If you wanted an Audi 80, but couldn't afford it, you could get that same quality and a good handful of the same features in the VW Passat (or Dasher/Quantum in the Seventies and Eighties).
The 80/90 and the VW B chassis shared a lot of parts, but the B cars usually were de-optioned in the engine and transmission department, with more emphasis on economy and less on power and speed. You had different interior options as well, again keyed to that "Luxury Economy/Audi Light" market.
It's a recent phenomenon to have VW trying to directly compete with sister-corporation Audi in both quality and options, which I can't say I feel is a good development. But then, I am a pro-specialization person...
For most of those competing years, the VW Passat was Audi 80 "light." If you wanted an Audi 80, but couldn't afford it, you could get that same quality and a good handful of the same features in the VW Passat (or Dasher/Quantum in the Seventies and Eighties).
The 80/90 and the VW B chassis shared a lot of parts, but the B cars usually were de-optioned in the engine and transmission department, with more emphasis on economy and less on power and speed. You had different interior options as well, again keyed to that "Luxury Economy/Audi Light" market.
It's a recent phenomenon to have VW trying to directly compete with sister-corporation Audi in both quality and options, which I can't say I feel is a good development. But then, I am a pro-specialization person...