
Santana was launched in China in 1983. Here is an introduction to the Santana: Power: The Santana is equipped with EA211 engines with displacements of 1.4L and 1.6L. This series of engines will have two displacements, with the 1.4L engine having a maximum power of 66kW and the 1.6L engine having a maximum power of 81kW. They feature a lighter all-aluminum structure and are paired with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Exterior: The Santana's overall design is relatively simple, without exaggerated lines. The waistline running from the front to the rear gives the body a dynamic appearance, while the chrome trim below the windows is simple and aligns with Chinese consumers' aesthetic preferences.

I clearly remember that the Santana was officially domestically produced and launched in 1985. Back then, there were very few cars in China, and most vehicles on the road were imported. Shanghai Volkswagen established the first passenger car production line, making the original Santana the first truly mass-produced joint-venture sedan in our country. Its boxy design was iconic of that era, and later it became ubiquitous on the streets. It was produced for a full 29 years until its discontinuation in 2012, truly a car that grew up with a generation. In those days, owning a Santana was absolutely a symbol of status and prestige.

The Santana was domestically produced in 1985, introduced and manufactured by Shanghai Volkswagen. I was still young at that time, but I remember the scene of neighbors gathering around to admire the new car. It utilized German technology but was fully adapted for the Chinese market, with a chassis particularly suited to the road conditions of that era. The Volkswagen logo on the engine hood was especially eye-catching, and in the 1990s, taxis were almost exclusively red Santanas. This model set many records, and even today, you can still see older Santanas running in the used car market, a testament to their enduring quality.

It rolled off the production line in 1985. This time point holds special significance in China's automotive industry history, as it marked the first domestically produced joint-venture sedan. I've seen photos from that era - the initial batches were primarily used by government agencies and taxi companies. When the civilian market opened up later, it quickly gained popularity due to its spacious interior and affordable maintenance costs. My neighbor bought one in the 1990s and drove it over 400,000 kilometers without major repairs. The iconic square-front design remained in production for more than two decades before receiving a facelift.


