NSU Ro 80

The premiere of the NSU Ro 80 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 1967 was a big event. After just five years of development work, NSU presented this fast touring saloon car whose exceptional design and refined technical details made a real impression in what was considered a “bland era”. The aerodynamic wedge shape of the body, created by NSU head of styling Claus Luthe, was well ahead of its time and is still regarded today as an exemplar, which prompted the famous industrial designer Otl Aicher to hail the Ro 80 as the father of all the car bodies seen today. NSU embraced a class of exclusive cars with the Ro 80. The “engineers’ car”, as experts acclaimed it because of its pioneering technology, had an NSU/Wankel twin-rotor engine with a capacity of 2 x 497 cc, produced 115 hp at 5,500 rpm and – a first for NSU - had front-wheel drive, independent suspension with MacPherson struts at the front and a very elaborately designed body structure for maximum safety. In addition, a semi-automatic gearbox, a genuine dual-circuit braking system with four disk brakes and twin callipers at the front, and ample equipment was offered as standard. This all provided a high level of driving comfort and maximum active and passive safety. Series production began shortly after it was first unveiled in October 1967. The NSU Ro 80 was manufactured from 1967 to 1977 at the Neckarsulm plant and was the first German car to be crowned “Car of the Year 1967”.

Technical data