NSU Ro 80 - Revision history

Red marquis at 10:55, 17 April 2009

2009-04-17T10:55:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:55, 17 April 2009
Line 50:		Line 50:
	\|}		\|}

	The '''NSU Ro80''' was produced by German company NSU between 1967 and 1977. The Ro80 was a very advanced automobile, becoming the first production car to feature the Wankel Rotory engine. NSU had never created such an expensive or large car before, and to design the flagship, stylist Claus Luthe was employed - the shape created was particularly aerodynamic, and the sales material for the Ro80 traded heavily upon this factor, despite the aerodynamics being developed soley by Luthe's guesswork until true development of the car was under way.		The '''NSU Ro80''' was produced by German company [[NSU]] between 1967 and 1977. The Ro80 was a very advanced automobile, becoming the first production car to feature the [[Wankel Rotory engine]]. NSU had never created such an expensive or large car before, and to design the flagship, stylist [[Claus Luthe]] was employed - the shape created was particularly aerodynamic, and the sales material for the Ro80 traded heavily upon this factor, despite the aerodynamics being developed soley by Luthe's guesswork until true development of the car was under way.

	The car was sold only with the rotor engine option, which had a lack of mid-range torque and power - to hide this shortfall, a three-speed semi-automatic transmission was applied to the car. Unfortunately, the twin-rotor engine was unreliable in its earlier states, due to the wearing of the rotor tip seals. The fault, attributed to under-development, hindered the Ro80 with an unshakeable reputation for unreliability - but NSU was generous with warranty claims, and some cars have had as many as nine new engines.		The car was sold only with the rotor engine option, which had a lack of mid-range torque and power - to hide this shortfall, a three-speed semi-automatic transmission was applied to the car. Unfortunately, the twin-rotor engine was unreliable in its earlier states, due to the wearing of the rotor tip seals. The fault, attributed to under-development, hindered the Ro80 with an unshakeable reputation for unreliability - but NSU was generous with warranty claims, and some cars have had as many as nine new engines.

	Ultimately, the warranty liberty given by NSU led to its downfall - the company, teetering on the edge of financial meltdown, was acquired by Volkswagen in 1969.		Ultimately, the warranty liberty given by NSU led to its downfall - the company, teetering on the edge of financial meltdown, was acquired by [[Volkswagen]] in 1969.

	See Wikicars' comprehensive '''[[Wikicars:Model Review Template\| NSU Ro80 Review]]'''.		See Wikicars' comprehensive '''[[Wikicars:Model Review Template\| NSU Ro80 Review]]'''.

94.192.117.163: /* Hybrid Models */

2009-04-16T23:45:10Z

Hybrid Models

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:45, 16 April 2009
Line 231:		Line 231:
	==Hybrid Models==		==Hybrid Models==

	No hybrid models of the NSU Ro80 were ever produced by the factory. Owners over the years have tried to envisage how the car body could have been ~~developped~~. Conversions now include 2 seater open topped sports cars, a 2 seater Coupe, a 4 door open topped cabriolet and a 6 wheeled pickup.		No hybrid models of the NSU Ro80 were ever produced by the factory. Owners over the years have tried to envisage how the car body could have been developed. Conversions now include 2 seater open topped sports cars, a 2 seater Coupe, a 4 door open topped cabriolet and a 6 wheeled pickup.

	==Unique Attributes==		==Unique Attributes==

94.192.117.163: /* Pioneering Features */

2009-04-16T23:39:43Z

Pioneering Features

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 16 April 2009
Line 66:		Line 66:
	Independent suspension was used on all four wheels, with straight-forward MacPherson struts at the front but a trailing-arm set-up at the rear. To guide the front wheels, NSU employed one of the world's first power steering systems - a powered rack and pinion set-up.		Independent suspension was used on all four wheels, with straight-forward MacPherson struts at the front but a trailing-arm set-up at the rear. To guide the front wheels, NSU employed one of the world's first power steering systems - a powered rack and pinion set-up.

	The Sachs/NSU collaboration ~~developped~~ semi-automatic transmission was also a new feature, foreshadowing modern sports car transmissions such as Porsche's Tiptronic or Lamborghini's e-Gear. However, instead of a clutch pedal for the manual shifts, a switch incorporated into the gear knob activated a pneumatically operated clutch lever via a solenoid valve unit, which would let the clutch in slowly at idle engine speeds or when the throttle was closed (e.g changing down), or quickly during acceleration to achieve fast drive take up between gears when changing up. The clutch itself, a conventional friction lined device, sat between a conventional 'auto-box' Sachs torque converter and the three speed manual transmission, so that the engine could idle (torque converter stalled) with a gear selected at standstill. This provided the usual idle creep mode that so aids slow speed manouvering (parking).		The Sachs/NSU collaboration developed semi-automatic transmission was also a new feature, foreshadowing modern sports car transmissions such as Porsche's Tiptronic or Lamborghini's e-Gear. However, instead of a clutch pedal for the manual shifts, a switch incorporated into the gear knob activated a pneumatically operated clutch lever via a solenoid valve unit, which would let the clutch in slowly at idle engine speeds or when the throttle was closed (e.g changing down), or quickly during acceleration to achieve fast drive take up between gears when changing up. The clutch itself, a conventional friction lined device, sat between a conventional 'auto-box' Sachs torque converter and the three speed manual transmission, so that the engine could idle (torque converter stalled) with a gear selected at standstill. This provided the usual idle creep mode that so aids slow speed manouvering (parking).

	===Styles and Major Options===		===Styles and Major Options===

94.192.117.163: /* Resale Values */

2009-04-16T23:36:05Z

Resale Values

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:36, 16 April 2009
Line 240:		Line 240:
	==Resale Values==		==Resale Values==

	~~Modern~~ examples of the NSU tend to sell for between $10,000 and $20,000, ~~depending~~ on condition and provenance. An original Ro80, with original paint, wheels, engine and interior, for example, will be worth more than a bodged piston-driven example. As with all classic cars, resale values depend on condition and provenance rather than outright mileage or model derivative.		Very good examples of the NSU tend to sell for between $10,000 and $20,000, though 'runners' are available more cheaply. These cars tend not to be particularly desireable, though prices are somewhat dependant on condition and provenance. An original Ro80, with original paint, wheels, engine and interior, for example, will be worth more than a bodged piston-driven example. As with all classic cars, resale values depend on condition and provenance rather than outright mileage or model derivative.

	If buying an Ro80, ensure that the rotory engine has been maintained properly, as serious fixes require skilled technicians, and can end up being ~~obscenely~~ expensive.		If buying an Ro80, ensure that the rotory engine has been maintained properly, as serious fixes require skilled technicians, and can end up being expensive. There are a number of specialists advertising on the web. Re-manufactured engines are readily available and even factory new engines (engines built by specialists with new rotor housings and major parts) are available off the shelf.

			Don't be put off as a prospective buyer. Do your research on the internet, and know that the 2007 German classic car press voted the Ro80 as the cheapest German classic car to buy, restore and run. Praise indeed!

	==Criticisms==		==Criticisms==

94.192.117.163: /* Unique Attributes */

2009-04-16T23:29:09Z

Unique Attributes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:29, 16 April 2009
Line 235:		Line 235:
	==Unique Attributes==		==Unique Attributes==

	The Ro80 was a very unique car - from the space-age, glass-heavy styling, to the twin-rotor powerplant, and disc brakes and forged wheels, the car pioneered massive amounts of technology and design. Unfortunately, pushing the envelope of the technology of the period spelt disaster for the car and company, as the innovative Ro80 proved the undoing of NSU.		The Ro80 was a very unique car - from the space-age, glass-heavy styling, to the twin-rotor powerplant, and disc brakes and forged wheels, the car pioneered massive amounts of technology and design. Unfortunately, pushing the envelope of the technology of the period spelt disaster for the car and company, as the innovative Ro80 proved the undoing of NSU.
			All that said, the only major problems with the car is the engine and corrosion and even that is mainly restricted to the sills, front wings and door bottoms. There are specialists who can sort the engine/source parts and the bodywork is not beyond any competent repairer (or seasoned amateur). The rest of the vehicle is tough and durable, so if you get the chance, go out and get yourself one. Its a unique experience, not to be missed. You are only here once remember!

	==Resale Values==		==Resale Values==

94.192.117.163: /* Generations */

2009-04-16T23:22:35Z

Generations

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 16 April 2009
Line 253:		Line 253:
	Age indicators are the wheels - early cars had pressed steel affairs, whereas later examples had forged Fuchs alloys - and the colour - as a rough guide, later cars are more likely to be painted in a metallic.		Age indicators are the wheels - early cars had pressed steel affairs, whereas later examples had forged Fuchs alloys - and the colour - as a rough guide, later cars are more likely to be painted in a metallic.

	Options-wise, ~~electrics appeared big-style on~~ later cars, ~~with windows and mirrors becoming~~ electrically operated. ~~Early~~ cars ~~had wind~~-~~down windows~~ and ~~manual mirrors~~.		Options-wise, apart from the choice of colour and interior material, there was only a choice of sunroof or not, though for later cars, this became electrically operated. Incidentally, the sunroof has become an achilles heal. Though a nice fitting to a new car, over 30 years later, the drain systems of the sunroof direct rainwater into the cars all important sills, resulting in extensive corrosion. Non-sunroof cars were rare when new, but should be sought out now. Windows remained manually operated throughout the cars production life, and the single door mirror also moved by hand.


	==Worldwide==		==Worldwide==

94.192.117.163: /* Hybrid Models */

2009-04-16T23:14:59Z

Hybrid Models

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 16 April 2009
Line 231:		Line 231:
	==Hybrid Models==		==Hybrid Models==

	No hybrid models of the NSU Ro80 were ever produced.		No hybrid models of the NSU Ro80 were ever produced by the factory. Owners over the years have tried to envisage how the car body could have been developped. Conversions now include 2 seater open topped sports cars, a 2 seater Coupe, a 4 door open topped cabriolet and a 6 wheeled pickup.

	==Unique Attributes==		==Unique Attributes==

94.192.117.163: /* Main Competitors */

2009-04-16T23:12:29Z

Main Competitors

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:12, 16 April 2009
Line 227:		Line 227:
	Although having much period competition, the vehicle was similar, in size and class terms, to contemporary offerings from Volkswagen, with the Passat, and Audi, with the 100. Other competition was fielded by the [[Ford Cortina]].		Although having much period competition, the vehicle was similar, in size and class terms, to contemporary offerings from Volkswagen, with the Passat, and Audi, with the 100. Other competition was fielded by the [[Ford Cortina]].

	A kind of cheapened, piston-driven Ro80 appeared in the shape of the [[Volkswagen K70]], which was again styled by Luthe. This vehicle was unloved, and ~~soon sank without trace~~.		A kind of cheapened, piston-driven Ro80 appeared in the shape of the [[Volkswagen K70]], which was again styled by Luthe. This vehicle was unloved, and did not sell in great quantities, though it did provide Volkswagen with its very first water cooled car, a position from which it has never looked back. The K70 is a rare car today.

	==Hybrid Models==		==Hybrid Models==

94.192.117.163: /* Safety */

2009-04-16T23:09:19Z

Safety

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:09, 16 April 2009
Line 94:		Line 94:
	===Safety===		===Safety===

	Due to the solid and thorough design of the chassis and structure, the Ro80 was solid in a crash. Compared with its contemporary brethren, it excelled, although it ~~offers poor protection at~~ modern standards. ~~No safety equipment~~, ~~apart from~~ seat belts, ~~was~~ fitted to the car.		Due to the solid and thorough design of the chassis and structure, the Ro80 was solid in a crash. Compared with its contemporary brethren, it excelled, although it cannot be compared to modern standards of crash protection. Even so, it was built with large tripple section box sills to strengthen the side of the car and move the passengers towards the centre of the vehicle. It was also constructed with padded internal surfaces to help prevent passenger injury. It was one of the very first vehicles to also offer front and rear crumple zone protection to the passengers. Front seat belts, were fitted as standard to the car, and rear seat belt anchors were available, though early cars could only be fitted with static rear belts.

	===Photos===		===Photos===

94.192.117.163: /* Reliability */

2009-04-16T23:02:25Z

Reliability

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:02, 16 April 2009
Line 90:		Line 90:
	The numerous warranty claims made by NSU cost the company dearly - and by 1969, it was on its last legs, financially. It was bailed out by VW in 1969, who continued to fund Ro80 warranty claims for the remainder of its life.		The numerous warranty claims made by NSU cost the company dearly - and by 1969, it was on its last legs, financially. It was bailed out by VW in 1969, who continued to fund Ro80 warranty claims for the remainder of its life.

	Some cars have had their engines after-market replaced with traditional engines from other manufacturers - these should be avoided due to the general poor quality of conversions.		Some cars have had their engines after-market replaced with traditional engines from other manufacturers - these should be crtically scrutinised by proposed purchasers as the quality of the conversion is paramount to the cars long term future. Early solutions to the engine conversion question used the Ford narrow angle 2000 CC V4 engine from the Corsair. This conversion is to be avoided due to the general poor quality of some conversions and the lack of adequate match of the cars gear ratios to the V4 engine performance. Later conversions to the Mazda Rx7 12A and 13B engines were available with professionally produced conversion parts. Though not for the purist, these conversions provide a virtually bomb proof Wankel replacement for the NSU powerplant, giving everyday reliability to an otherwise highly competent car. The major difference to tha car when fitted with the Mazda Wankel is the harsher tone of the Mazda unit, and the significantly increased torque at lower RPMs, due to the effective inlet timing difference, provided by the side ported Mazda inlet tracts, as opposed to the periferally ported inlet NSU system.

	===Safety===		===Safety===