Had a chance to FINALLy see a NSU Ro80 up close. The car is amazing for a 4 door luxury.

This is one of those "before their time" cars with wind tunnel testing, 4 wheel disk brakes, and loads of advanced features that were not on most cars of the 60s & 70s.

The engine is between a 10A and 12A from what I understand. The rotor housings seem a bit more round from the pictures I've seen online. Also notice the front disk brakes are in the middle of the car and how far up the engine sits.

Main NSU Ro80 site is www.nsu-ro80.com

Here's some specs on the car:

Displacement 2 x 497 cc
Horsepower 1973 115 bhp DIN at 5000 or 5500 rpm (or 129 hp at 5500, 1967)
Torque 112 lb-ft at 4500 rpm
Transmission clutch-less semi-automatic
Weight 2955 lb (or 2668 lb)
Top Speed 112 mph
Price DM 14,150

Brief History:

Development of the NSU Ro80 began in August 1961 and it was officially shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Auto Show. It was named the Car of the Year in 1968. Originally it was to have a two rotor engine with 2 x 300 cc capacity.

The design of the Ro80 was quite advanced for its time. It was front wheel drive. Suspension was fully independent. It had four-wheel disk brakes with dual circuits as a safety feature. Aerodynamic drag coefficient was 0.35, amazingly low for its time, though this was ultimately 0.39 with larger tires and cooling openings. Though weight distribution was 63/37 front/rear it handled very well. Chief stylist was Claus Luthe.

About 33,900 were produced (possibly 37,204 or 37,400). A three rotor successor was being readied in 1969, but about this time NSU was swallowed by Volkwagen / Audi. Political intrigue, financial pressures and conservatism at VW snuffed out rotary development.

 

Someone stole my idea of a "rotary museum." Check this out:
http://www.ro80.nl/jaapaltlussheim/altlussheim.htm

Also check out the original brochure of the Ro80 below. Since the text is not readable, I've typed up what the brochure says at the bottom.







Some experiences are never forgotten - the first flight in a jet aircraft or the first drive in the NSU Ro 80. Both are the results of perfect technical skill and absolute safety, complete harmony in all details

Shape: You are stuck by the unique characteristics of this car which was created by experts and great care was taken to make it functional. At first sight it is obvious that this car was evolved in the wind tunnel, this is confirmed by the directional stability and insensitivity to side winds when driving.

Driving characteristics: Front wheel drive, very low center of gravity, long wheel-base (9ft 4.75in), definite separation between steering and independent suspension. The criteria of a car which is superior to all others in every situation are evident in the safety and technical perfection of every inch of the Ro 80.

Safety precautions: effective power assisted dual circuit brakes, discs all round, load reactive braking-force distributor, safety steering column, fuel tank in the safety zone. Each detail serves to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. There are examples of the consistently uncompromising principles used for complete protection.

Comfort: This begins with the NSU Wankel internal combustion engine which runs exceptionally quietly even at high speeds and is enhanced by the servo unites, such as, for example pre-selective automatic gears and servo-assisted steering, all
of which make for careful driving. Because of these features to RO 80 is a comfortable long distance car where comfortable driving means safe driving. Features which are outstanding - until you got so used to them you take them for granted.

Equipment:
Two speed windscreen wipers, electric windscreen washer, lockable and illuminated glove compartment, lights in luggage compartment, and engine, trip mileage recorder, rev counter, clock, flasher indicators, blinker, long distance spot light, reverse petrol tank, handbrake, brake assembly, heated rear windows, three tone horn, infinitely variable warm water heating with fan booster, independent fresh air supply through adjustable louvers with side window ventilation - infinitely variable, air extractors at rear, at window, and floor level. Dashboard grab handle, luggage compartment with a capacity of approximately 21 cubic feet. Doors, door pillars, door arm rests and roof upholstered; illuminated ashtray in front, three-spoked steering wheel with safety padding, recylining seats, driving seat distance adjustable, folding backs to rear seat (maximum through load length 11ft, 1 in); folding rear central arm rest; removable anti-dazzle rear view mirror; floors carpeted with Nylon-velour foam underlay; doors centered over door thresholds, stainless steel bumpers and hub caps P.V.C. underseal; twin exhaust with silencers.

Engine:
NSU/Wankel engine with 2 x 497.5 ccm. combustion chambers volume; water cooled, double ignition. Solex 18/32 HH twin
carburetors; 129 BHP at 5500 RPM; compression 9:1; maximum torque 112 lb/ft at 4500 RPM.

Electrical equipment:
Three-phase 490 Watt AC generator; 12 volts battery; 66 Ampere capacity.

Transmission:
Selective automatic with torque converter, front wheel drive, three speed gear range for town, country, and the motorway.

Chassis:
Independent suspension all round with wish-bones and antiroll bar at front, semi-trailing arms at rear, telescopic shock
absorbers front and rear.

Steering:
Power assisted rack and pinion steering with immediate response; extremely short safety steering column outside the
distortable zone of the bodywork.

Brakes:
Power assisted dual circuit braking system, load-restrictive braking force distributor, four disk brakes, front brakes
inboard, self-adjusting brake ??? (linings I think), hand brake operating on separate drum, handbrake lever between
seats.

Bodywork:
Independently supported, all-steel bodywork with low scuttle line, four doors, five seater.

Dimensions:
Length 15ft 8in; width 5ft 9in; height 4ft 7in; wheelbase 9ft 4.75 in; track front 4' 10.25" in, track rear 4ft 9in,
Turning circle 38ft 5in, tire size: radial tires 175SR 14cr 175 - 14 XAS.

Weight:
Empty 2670 lbs, permitted maximum weight 5680 lbs; pay load 990 lbs, maximum unbrakes trailer load 1408 lbs, maximum brakes trailer load 2640 lbs, maximum roof load 110 lbs.

Fuel Tank:
Capacity 18.25 gallons of which 4 gallons reserve.

Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 MPH 12.8 seconds. Power weight ratio 20.6 lbs/HP; maximum speed 112 MPH. Normal consumption 25 miles per gallon.

Option extras.
Sliding roof:
a) hand operated
b) electrically operated
Radio with dual speakers and control on instrument panel; electrically retractable ??? (aerial I think); special finish to the light alloy rims, also of light alloy effect, leather upholstery.
We reserve the right to make changes in construction and finish.

 

now all it needs is a supercharger

 

or a turbo

may be a 13b-re swap .... 20b will be nice

 

FWD, thats crazy, I want one to swap it into a lil crx or something..

 

Great post, Vaughan. Thanks.

 

By the way, are you webhosting your pictures? If so, which site?

Thanks.

 

yeah I mostly host pics, but I through a cheezy front end here - www.rx-7source.com

 

that's awesome, but that engine looks a little ify...

 

Hey, that's a cool site in the works!

The chart was very impressive, and I liked the Godzilla reference.

 

I was at this museum last week and it was absolutely fantastic. Here is the website:

www.autovision-tradition.de

I spent a good 2 to 3 hours there taking many pics. I was fascinated by the fact that they have demonstration samples belonging to Felix Wankel. They also have his actual business cards (I have pics).

Jack