Volkswagen Santana

Volkswagen Santana: which version to buy and why

The Volkswagen Santana in this catalogue is a single-generation Sedan (1 generation, September 1981–December 1984) with eight listed versions, all Manual / 5 / FWD.

The Volkswagen Santana in this catalogue is a single-generation Sedan (1 generation, September 1981–December 1984) with eight listed versions, all Manual / 5 / FWD. There is no second generation to “step up” to, so the buying question is entirely inside this generation: Gasoline versus Diesel, four cylinders versus five, carburetor versus injection, and how much extra power the larger engines actually deliver. Kerb weight, gross weight, tank size, wheel sizes, and fuel consumption are not measured on every version, so this comparison uses power, displacement, torque where given, and the one timed 0–100 km/h figure.

Specs that decide the shortlist

All eight versions share 145 mm ground clearance, independent spring front suspension, front Disc brakes, and no forced induction except the turbo Diesel. Rear suspension, rear brakes, 0–100 km/h, and top speed are measured only on 1.9 MT (115 hp). Missing figures below are not measured, not “zero”.

Generations: what changed (and what did not)

There is 1 generation. Production window in the generation record is 1981-09-01 to 1984-12-31; every modification’s own dates are 1981-01-01 to 1984-12-31. Body is Sedan throughout. Eight versions sit in that one generation — no restyle generation, no later chassis in this data.

Because generation count is one, “which generation” is already answered: you are choosing among these eight, not among eras. Chassis constants in the data: FWD, Manual 5, 145 mm clearance, independent spring front, front Disc. The 1.9 MT (115 hp) is the only row that also lists rear suspension (Semi-independent, spring) and rear Drum brakes.

Engine comparison: power per litre and what extra displacement buys

Specific output (hp ÷ litres) from the given displacements:

• 1.3 MT: 60 hp / 1.289 L ≈ 46.5 hp/L
• 1.6 MT (75 hp): 75 / 1.598 ≈ 46.9 hp/L
• 1.6 MT (85 hp): 85 / 1.595 ≈ 53.3 hp/L
• 1.8 MT: 90 / 1.781 ≈ 50.5 hp/L
• 1.9 MT: 115 / 1.921 ≈ 59.9 hp/L
• 2.0 MT: 115 / 1.994 ≈ 57.7 hp/L
• 1.6 MT (54 hp Diesel): 54 / 1.600 = 33.8 hp/L
• 1.6 MT (70 hp Diesel): 70 / 1.600 = 43.8 hp/L

The Gasoline four-cylinder band is 60–90 hp (30 hp spread). Jumping from 1.3 MT (60 hp) to 1.8 MT (90 hp) is +30 hp (+50%) for +492 cc. The 85 hp 1.6 MT already captures most of that: +25 hp versus the 1.3 for +306 cc, and it is 5 hp shy of the 1.8 while using 186 cc less.

The two Gasoline 1.6 MT rows are not interchangeable. The 85 hp / 63 kW unit (1595 cc) is 10 hp and 8 kW above the 75 hp / 55 kW unit (1598 cc). Displacements differ by 3 cc — the gap is output, not size. Torque is 125 Nm at 2800 rpm on the 75 hp engine; torque on the 85 hp engine is not measured. Both use Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, fuel 92.

1.8 MT (90 hp / 66 kW, 1781 cc) uses Central injection (single-point or single- point) instead of multi-point. Versus the 85 hp 1.6 MT it adds 5 hp and 3 kW — the smallest Gasoline step in the table. Versus the 75 hp 1.6 MT it adds 15 hp. Torque, 0–100, and top speed for 1.8 MT are not measured.

Five-cylinder Gasoline is a different class: 1.9 MT and 2.0 MT both make 115 hp / 85 kW at 5400 rpm, 5 Inline, carburetor, boost No, fuel 92. Versus the strongest four-cylinder (1.8 MT 90 hp) that is +25 hp (+28%). Versus 1.3 MT it is +55 hp (almost double). The 1.9 is 73 cc smaller than the 2.0 and slightly denser (59.9 vs 57.7 hp/L). 1.9 MT lists 152 Nm; 2.0 MT torque is not measured. Bore × stroke: 79.5 × 77.4 (1.9) versus 81 × 77.4 (2.0) — same stroke, 1.5 mm more bore on the 2.0.

Diesels share 1600 cc and 4 Inline. Naturally aspirated 1.6 MT (54 hp / 40 kW) is the weakest car in the catalogue (6 hp below the 1.3 Gasoline). Turbo 1.6 MT (70 hp / 51 kW) adds 16 hp / 11 kW on the same displacement — turbo is the entire Diesel upgrade. The 70 hp Diesel still sits 5 hp below the 75 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT and 15 hp below the 85 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT. Valves per cylinder, fuel system, fuel grade, torque, and performance for both Diesels are not measured.

Peak-rpm figures that exist: 1.3 MT 5000 rpm, 75 hp 1.6 MT 5200, 1.9 MT and 2.0 MT 5400. Other versions: not measured.

Performance, mpg, dimensions

0–100 km/h and top speed exist only for 1.9 MT (115 hp): 10.2 s and 180 km/h. For 1.3 MT, both Gasoline 1.6 MT rows, 1.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and both Diesel 1.6 MT rows, 0–100 and top speed are not measured. You cannot rank the 85 hp 1.6 against the 90 hp 1.8 on sprint times from this data.

City, highway, and combined consumption, CO2, and eco class: not measured on all eight versions. An mpg decision cannot be calculated here; Diesel versus Gasoline is a fuel-type choice, not a measured-economy ranking.

Kerb weight, gross weight, tank, and wheels: not measured on all eight. Weight-per-horsepower is therefore not measured. Ground clearance is 145 mm on every version — no “higher” Santana in this set.

Chassis extras that appear once: 1.9 MT rear Semi-independent, spring and rear Drum. Front brakes Disc and front independent spring on all.

Which version to choose

If you want the only timed performance numbers: 1.9 MT (115 hp). It is the sole version with 0–100 10.2 s, top speed 180 km/h, torque 152 Nm, five cylinders, and listed rear suspension/brakes. Specific output is the highest in the table (~59.9 hp/L).

If you want the same peak power as 1.9 without the 1.9’s measured sprint: 2.0 MT (115 hp). Same 115 hp / 85 kW at 5400 rpm, same 5 Inline carburetor layout, 73 cc more. Torque, 0–100, and top speed not measured — you are not buying a proven quicker car than the 1.9 on this sheet, only a larger five-cylinder with the same listed peak power.

If you want the strongest four-cylinder Gasoline without stepping to five cylinders: 1.8 MT (90 hp). It is 25 hp below either five-cylinder and 5 hp above the 85 hp 1.6 MT. Injection is central single-point, not multi-point. Buy this only if that 5 hp over the 85 hp 1.6 matters; the data do not show faster 0–100 or higher top speed.

If you want the most efficient use of a 1.6 Gasoline: 1.6 MT (85 hp). Highest four-cylinder specific output (~53.3 hp/L), multi-point injection, 10 hp above the other Gasoline 1.6 MT (75 hp) at essentially the same displacement (1595 vs 1598 cc). Torque not measured. This is the rational “middle Gasoline” if five cylinders are not required.

If you want documented mid-range torque on a 1.6 Gasoline: 1.6 MT (75 hp) — 125 Nm at 2800 rpm, 76.5 × 86.9 bore × stroke. It is 10 hp down on the 85 hp twin and 15 hp down on 1.8 MT. Choose it for the measured torque figure, not for peak power.

If you want the smallest Gasoline engine: 1.3 MT (60 hp). Carburetor, 100 Nm at 3000 rpm, 75.5 × 72, 46.5 hp/L. It is 30 hp below 1.8 MT and 55 hp below the five-cylinders. Ground clearance is still 145 mm — you do not give up ride height.

If you want Diesel: only two rows, both named 1.6 MT. Take 1.6 MT (70 hp) if you want the turbo; it is 16 hp above 1.6 MT (54 hp) at the same 1600 cc. The 54 hp Diesel is the least powerful Santana here (6 hp under 1.3 MT). Economy figures not measured — Diesel is a fuel-type pick, not a proven mpg win in this catalogue.

What extra money cannot be shown to buy: there are no prices in the data. Arithmetic on power says the expensive-feeling steps are (1) four-cylinder 60→85 hp, (2) 90→115 hp into five cylinders. The 85→90 hp step is only 5 hp. The 1.9→2.0 step is 0 hp at the peak.

Reliability / problems: not in the source data — not stated.

Bottom line: one generation, eight Manual FWD Sedans. Default Gasoline pick on the numbers: 1.6 MT (85 hp) unless you need the only timed car, which is 1.9 MT (115 hp). Default Diesel pick: 1.6 MT (70 hp). Treat 1.3 MT, 1.6 MT (75 hp), 1.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 1.6 MT (54 hp) as special cases for size, measured torque, a 5 hp four-cylinder bump, an untimed 115 hp five-cylinder, or naturally aspirated Diesel — not as universally “better” trims.