First, the Audi 80 was launched, the year after the Volkswagen Passat. The two models were like twins.
Volkswagen took full ownership of Audi in 1966. In 1972, the all-new Audi 80 B1 was launched. It gave Audi a completely new identity. The following year, the Volkswagen Passat – also called the B1 – was launched. Both models were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and everyone could see the similarity. The Passat appeared as a coupé version of the Audi 80. Apart from that, the two models were identical. Nevertheless, it was clear that the Volkswagen Group wanted to keep the models separate – a wish that the automotive press followed. That the Volkswagen Passat was an Audi 80 – or vice versa – was rarely elaborated on.
When the Audi 80 went on sale in this country as a 1973 model, there were still separate dealers for it. Audi NSUEventually, Audi was sold through Volkswagen dealers.
A new face
The Passat model gave Volkswagen a completely new face – or identity – in the same way that the Audi 80 had done for Audi the year before. Until 1973, Volkswagen consisted of two model series, the Beetle and the 400 series – both with air-cooled engines. The only model that bore a visual resemblance to the Passat was the K70 – designed by Claus Luther, chief designer at NSU. It is uncertain whether Giugiaro was in any way guided or inspired by the K70 when designing the Audi 80 and Passat.
Model history
The first Passats were either 2- or 4-door coupés (fastbacks) with regular luggage space. The combi-coupé version with a full-height tailgate first appeared as a 1975 model. At that time, the Passat was also available as a 5-door station wagon. From the pictures, it looks like cars from the 1976 model year had black rubber bumper corners
The Passat received a facelift for the 1978 model year. Visual changes included new bumpers and a new front where the turn signals were moved from the bumper to wrap-around lights on the outside of the headlights.
The trim levels were L, LS, GL and TS (Top Sport). The basic cars (L or 1.3) got single round headlights. More expensive trim levels got rectangular headlights, while the TS got double round headlights.
Engines
The engines consisted from the beginning of a 1.3 liter engine with 55 hp and a 1.5 liter engine with either 75 or 85 hp. From the 1976 model year, the 1.5 liter engines were replaced by 1.6 liter engines with the same number of horsepower. From 1978, the Passat could also be had with a 1.5 liter diesel engine with 50 hp.
About the pictures
The white car in the main image was photographed parked at a shopping center in Hønefoss, 2024. The green car was on display at the Oslo Motor Show in 2025. This is a very early model – 2-door without a full-height tailgate. The blue station wagon was photographed at a private address in Hurdal, 2025. The yellow car is a 5-door hatchback. The images probably come from a brochure (source: CarsWP.com). The image below is a Passat B1 produced in Brazil. It is in a private museum. Photo: Curt Fauskanger.
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