First-Generation: The Dasher (1974-1981)

For no apparent reason, VW decided to sell the car known as the Passat in the rest of the world as the Dasher in North America. But except for the name change and the few safety, bumper and emissions modifications necessary to sell the car in this market, the Dasher was barely different than the Passat — the most obvious difference being the Dasher's single round headlamps in place of the elongated hexagonal units used in Europe. And the Passat was little more than an Audi 80 with a Volkswagen grille. Sold as the Audi Fox in the U.S. (it went on sale here for the 1973 model year), the 80 was a simple car with a longitudinally mounted 1.5-liter, water-cooled, SOHC four under its hood making 75 horsepower.

Built around a unibody structure, it incorporated a MacPherson strut front suspension and a beam axle on coil springs in the back. The only transmissions offered were either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic. The Fox/80, initially available as either a two- or four-door notchback sedan, was cleanly styled (by Giorgetto Giugiaro, no less) and quite a success for Audi in its own right. So to create the 1974 Dasher/Passat, Volkswagen didn't mess with the basic Fox formula. The greatest change was the adoption of a fastback five-door hatchback body style — even though much of the sheet metal from the doors forward was common. There was also a wagon model that, at least initially, wasn't shared with Audi. A three-door was also available in Europe, but wasn't sent to America during that first-year model year. "Although the Fox and Dasher are dissimilar in name and styling," wrote Road & Track in its story reporting a survey of owners of the two vehicles, "it is still rather hard to consider them different automobiles. Body and interior details aside, the Foxes and Dashers surveyed here are mechanically almost identical, sharing the same basic FWD package and mechanical package and mechanical parts."

Larger than the Golf/Rabbit that VW would introduce a year later, the Dasher was still generally smaller than a 2005 Honda Civic sedan, with a 97.2-inch wheelbase and 172.8 inches of overall length. It was also roomy for the time and as cleanly styled inside as it was outside. In a weird comparison with the midengine Fiat X1/9 two-seater, Road & Track found much to admire in the first Dasher. "The Dasher's engine is part of the fun," it wrote. "Driven hard, it sounds virile and — as we said — provides lots of performance. It's also extremely economical for such a performer, and in this sort of driving the Dasher or Fox owner should get at least 25 mpg." The publication also had kind words for the car's handling noting that it didn't suffer the common front-drive malady of severe understeer at the limit. But Road & Track also found things to criticize, like the rackety nature of the engine and otherwise capable brakes it said "rank among the noisiest we've ever experienced." It also noted that the car was "by the way, much roomier and better-riding than the [Chevrolet] Vega despite being shorter, narrower and 450 pounds lighter."

Of course history would prove that being better than the Vega wasn't much of an accomplishment, but it indicates how impressive the Dasher was for its time. However at a $4,110 base price, the cheapest Dasher was just $64 shy of being twice as expensive as the cheapest Vega. While the original Dasher didn't set the sales chart aflame with its success, it sold better than any other Beetle alternative VW had devised previously. So with that in mind, all the carmaker did to the vehicle for 1975 was bump the engine's displacement from 1.5 to 1.6 liters and offer the three-door hatchback. But that displacement increase came alongside a set of more stringent emissions controls and total output actually dropped to just 70 hp. Changes to the Dasher's exterior appearance were slight in both the 1976 and 1977 model years as VW concentrated on building and selling the amazingly hot Golf/Rabbit around the world. But both years benefited greatly by the fitment of Bosch fuel injection which boosted output to 78 hp and promoted much better drivability across the operating range. Still, the Dasher didn't exactly live up to its name —

Road & Track timed a four-speed '77 Dasher two-door groaning to 60 mph in 13.2 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 19 seconds at a breathless 72 mph. A redesigned front end with four round headlights heralded the arrival of the 1978 Dasher and the interior was updated, but other changes were scant. However, in 1979 both a five-speed manual transmission and diesel power finally came to the Dasher line. With the same 1.5-liter diesel four then used in the Rabbit under its hood, the diesel Dasher was underwhelming on the test track. Road & Track tested a diesel Dasher five-door sedan and found it to be quite a slug. "Raise the hood and you immediately know this Dasher's a diesel," wrote R&T in its test. "You can actually see the engine because there's not the usual myriad of wiring and plumbing that come with today's detoxed gasoline power plants…. With a rather anemic 48 hp, the Dasher's diesel engine doesn't measure up to the task of propelling a 2,530-pound (test weight) automobile with anything approaching aplomb. The car's 0-to-60-mph time of 19.4 seconds and its 22-second quarter-mile make the 2,110-pound Rabbit diesel's 15.8- and 20.4-second times seem almost lightning quick." Still, with America gripped by the fuel crises of the '70s, the diesel sold well. If you could find any difference between the 1980 Dasher and the previous year's, you were probably staring at its serial number. And despite being slower than a snail with a muscle cramp, the Dasher diesel became the only Dasher for 1981.

It was time for the original Passat — the Dasher — to dash off of Volkswagen's lineup. And so it did.
http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/passat/history.html