VW Quantum. (Passat) From Road and Tracks magazine writeup in September 86 provides some insight on the thinking behind knobs of the time:
"......... VW, through its Audi division, worked hard and came up with something that works well and no one else has: No muss, no fuss 4-wheel drive.
Before the decade is done, VW will offer 4wd everything. Golfs, Sciroccos, Jettas, vans, you name it; every wheel will get it's own driveshaft.
The beginning of all this is the Quantum Syncro wagon, VW's first 4wd for the American market. Syncro, incidentally, is VW's nametag for 4wd, much as Audis are called Quattros when they sprout rear differentials.
There is, of course, much commonality between VW and Audi, which is only fair because VW owns Audi. In the past this exchange program has meant that VW's biggest car was the same as Audi's smallest. But when the Dasher became the Quantum, it also grew a few inches so it's no longer identical to the Audi 4000.
The Audi 4000, you may remember, is available with 4wd. The Quantum shares the 4000's drivetrain and general layout, so adding 4wd to the Quantum was a piece of cake. Add a driveshaft behind the fwd transaxle, bolt-on the Audi's rear drive unit and suspension and, Bingo, a VW Syncro.
To provide some measure of exclusivity, the Audi 4000 Quattro is only available as a sedan and the VW Quantum Syncro is only available as a wagon. Nothing wrong with that. The Quantum, though a piece of cake, has a little less frosting and decoration than the more upscale Audi. This suits the more utilitarian wagon very nicely, thank you.
..........Of course, what the Syncro is made for is adverse conditions, and in those conditions it is superior in every way to any 2-wheel-drive car. In snow a slight loss of steering precision is an easy price to pay for the additional traction. And, if one of the Syncro's wheels does begin to slip, the knob on the center console can be pulled, locking the center differential and then the rear differential. In this arrangement only a snowplow is going to work better.
When the Audi Quattros were introduced, VW and Audi spokesmen emphasized that their permanent 4wd systems are suited for use in all weather conditions. Even when the roads aren't covered with snow, they said, the 4wd cars are superior. For the big Audi 5000 Quattro, because it has so much power to transmit, this appears to be true. With the non-turbo (Quantum) Syncro, however, dry-road handling hasn't benefitted. The improvements occur only when additional traction is needed, which obviously varies for customers in different parts of the country. Originally the Syncro was only offered in a few snow-country states, but it is now found at VW dealers around the country.
Depending on the options, a Quantum Syncro can cost between $15,645 and the $17,280 price of our test car, with its optional sunroof, electric window lifts and AM/FM stereo radio. This may sound steep for the Syncro until one tries to find a substitute. All the less expensive Japanese 4wd wagons are significantly smaller and have only part-time 4wd systems. Only Audi's 5000 Quattro wagon offers the convenience of this all-wheel drive system, and it costs nearly twice what the Quantum does.
The appeal of this car will no doubt vary with the weather. Dump enough snow on the roads and people will shovel a path to the VW dealer's doors."
