VW Unveils Second-Generation Santana

Volkswagen AG has revealed the overhauled Santana midsize sedan due in Chinese showrooms later this year. The Santana has been largely responsible for VW's decades of dominance in China.

The car has undergone repeated facelifts. But this is the first all-new version since the VW began making the Santana in Shanghai with venture partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. in 1985.

VW also marketed the first-generation Santana in Japan and South America and as the Quantum in the U.S.

The updated model shares a stretched version of the platform that carries the company's Polo, Audi A1 and Skoda Rapid cars. The new car offers greater rear-seat legroom, a larger trunk and far more contemporary styling.

The new Santana also introduces a long list of contemporary comfort and safety features, including air conditioning, leather seats, a power sunroof, parking sensors, stability control and antilock brakes.

The car's new 1.4- and 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines produce 89 hp and 109 hp, respectively, and average 39 miles per gallon.