The end is nearly here for the Volkswagen Passat in America. After 10 years of homebuilt success, the Passat will be retired at the end of the 2022 model year. The Chattanooga, Tennessee plant it's called home for that entire time is currently undergoing a major transformation before it begins buildings all-electric models, such as the ID.4 crossover.

But it was the Passat, a sedan designed and built specifically for American consumers (it's quite different than the overseas version) that played a huge role in VW's US market revival. To mark the occasion, VW is launching a limited edition model of which just 1,973 will be built. Why that precise figure? Because that was the year when the original Passat hit the market in Germany.

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition will be available in four unique exterior colors with the following breakdown: Aurora Red Metallic with Titan Black interior (411 units that represent the original vehicle production code), Racing Green Metallic with Mauro Brown interior (423, also the Chattanooga area code), Pure White with Mauro Brown interior (524, or May 24, 2011, the day the factory opened), and 615 Platinum Grey Metallic with Titan Black interior to mark the six generations of imported Passats, one gen built in Chattanooga, and five decades of US market sales. Very convenient, that all adds up to 1,973.

Regardless of color choice, all special editions come with 15-spoke, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps, LED headlights with the Advanced Front-lighting System, and the Easy Open trunk.

Inside you'll find a "1 of 1,973" and "Chattanooga 2011" seat tags, as well as cupholders with aerial maps of the city and the factory. Sports seats with perforated Vienna leather and driver seat memory, heated front and rear seats, navigation, and Fender Premium Audio are all standard, too. Safety-conscious buyers will be pleased to see Park Assist and Park Distance Control also part of the deal.

Pricing begins at $30,295, not including the $995 destination charge. Buyers who desire the Aurora Red Metallic paint will have to pay an extra $395. An on-sale date was not given but chances are orders will begin shortly, if they haven't done already. Deliveries will likely commence this fall.