Volkswagen Passat Passes Away

The final Volkswagen Passat has rolled off the assembly line in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ending the model’s extended run on the North American market.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced in 1973 using the VW/Audi B1 platform, the Passat arrived in the United States as the Dasher and was sold as a midsized luxury vehicle to people in the market for an imported economy car. The model carried different names in other parts of the world and even saw a few unique monikers used in the U.S. (e.g. Quantum) to help differentiate between the hatchback, sedan, and wagon variants sold throughout the 1980s. But it was officially known as the (B2) Passat by 1990, regardless of format.

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Crapwagon Outtake: 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon

Since September, the collective wisdom of the Internet has changed. Before, the ideal car — as decreed by keyboard warriors across this great nation — was an all-wheel drive, manual, diesel wagon. Now, however, oil burners are less popular than even Jeb Bush.

Today’s feature checks all three remaining post-Dieselgate fanboy boxes.

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  • Blope Cataluna Red Audi Etron and a Red Golf TDI Wagon
  • Vulpine Considering the size of modern full-sized pickup, they NEED the ability to "squat" just to be able to load/unload them from the rear. It's a law that needs to be contested for the utility of the capability, despite the fact that... yes, it can be abused by show--offs.
  • SCE to AUX I have two bright blue Hyundais at the moment, and I've only had one red car.I think I've had 7 white cars. My very first car was orange.A friend once said he buys the ugliest, or most garish color on the lot, to try and get a better price on a dealer dud. It also makes the car easier to spot in a sea of gray vehicles. I couldn't do that, but I see the logic.
  • Bd2 For the medium to long term, not much as other automakers are building out their own charging network whether via the consortium or on their own (some, like Mercedes are doing both).
  • ToolGuy Let's count the poor decisions: Honda 18 model years past peak Honda. Ohio. Following too closely ('rock on the highway' doesn't leap up and attack your vehicle by itself, it is riding on a vehicle or thrown up by a vehicle, and you should be alert to this). Ohio. Not enough doors. Choosing to expand family -- in Ohio. 😉 Also not great at math.Engine bay picture: At least take a shower before your glamour shot lol.