In essence, the first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80 sedan, introduced a year earlier.

[5] The whole range received a facelift in summer 1977 (model year 1978 - launched during 1978 outside of Europe), featuring an interior upgrade including a new dashboard and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and depending on model, either four round or two rectangular headlights.

Inside was a restyled dashboard in the style of the Golf, with the radio and heating controls now mounted centrally, one above the other, in a single unit alongside the principal dials.

[6] Engine mountings, the gearbox, and the exhaust system were modified in order to reduce interior noise, and comfort was also improved by changes to the springing and shock absorbers.

For model year 1976 this was replaced by a Bosch fuel-injected 1.6 L four with 79 hp (59 kW), while the two-door sedan received the lifting tailgate always promised by its design.

In 1978 the Dasher received a facelift along the lines of the European Passat, with quad sealed beam headlights and big polyurethane covered bumpers.

[7] This replaced the four-door sedan entirely for 1979, which also saw the introduction of the 1.5 L diesel engine, which produced a mere 48 hp (36 kW) in a 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) car.

All gasoline engines were dropped for North America in 1981 in preparation for the next generation, while the diesel increased in size to 1.6 liters.

An automatic transmission was available on the larger engine, which was joined by the sporting 98 hp (73 kW; 99 PS) two-door 1500 TS version in May.

The Passat immediately outsold the Beetle in the Australian market, although the T2 Transporter still sold more than Volkswagen's entire passenger car lineup.

[11] The fully imported 1977 Passat GLS had a 53 kW (71 hp; 72 PS) 1588 cc engine and was originally only available as a two- or four-door sedan, at a sizable cost increase compared to the previous year.

In February 1979 the 1977 facelift model finally arrived, also heralding the introduction of the five-door hatchback bodywork, accompanied by the wagon.

[12] Sales tripled in 1980 and crept up to 287 in 1981, the last year new Volkswagen passenger cars were imported to Australia.

[13] In South Africa the Passat was sold with two- or four-door saloon bodywork, as well as the five-door Variant model.

"[15] Some other light modifications were also carried out for 1977, slight improvements to the ventilation system, more equipment, and new hubcaps for the LS and LX versions.

As Petrobras' oil reserves grew larger than necessary, VWB found themselves with a large stock of Iraqi-spec cars that they were unable to export.

It did well on introduction, being a much more modern car than the rest of the VWB lineup as well as the Ford Corcel, its closest competitor.