Re: K-70

[Jonathan Grippe <J.Grippe@m.cc.utah.edu>]

> > CARVER, JEFFREY D wrote:
> > >
> > > Roland -
> > > I have absolutely no clue as to what a K 70 is.
> > > Never seen or heard of a VW with that designation
> > > in the US.  But I would like to find out about it.
> > >
> > > - Jeff
> >
> > Since I`ve received a few mails on this and there seems to be some
> > interest, some more.
> > I always knew about the history, the only thing a wondered if the were
> > sold in the US. Now, I know they weren`t. Thanks.
> >
> > For those who don`t know what it is, the history very,very brief since
> > it`s off topic.
> >
> > Until the mid-seventies there was a car company in Germany called NSU.
> > They were taken over by VW end-sixties, but kept selling cars with their
> > name. NSU was working on a watercooled, frontengined car, as was VW.
> > Since NSU`s was further developed, VW took over the technic, and
> > released
> > the K70. The NSU vehicle was called 'RO 80', built till '77 and had a
> > Wankel - engine. The K70 had 4 cyl. in row, was built from 70 till 73
> > and
> > was available with two engines; 80 and 100 hp.

The K-70 was what eventually led to the Dasher and later the Rabbit.

>From Volkswagen Chronicle by Graham Robson:

"Volkswagen performed an extensive underskin rework of the K70, which
emerged in 1971 visually unchanged from the NSU version, except for the
VW insignia. As the inaugural front-drive Volkswagen, the K70 attracted
much attention, though it was lackluster in styling and performance. It
set the scene for the Audi 80, which bowed in 1972 as the first front
wheel drive car designed in house by VW. Its inline four-cylinder was
the first engine VW designed without outside help. Volkswagen gave is
versoion of the Audi 80 a fastback roofline and launced it as the Passat
in 1973. The Passat came to the U.S. later that year as the 1974 Dasher
wagon and sedan. The Dasher was an unremarkable car, but one that would
prove influential."

Hope this adds some info.

Take care all.

Jon.
'71 Square
'72 Fast (For Sale. Nice!)
'83 Rabbit
'83 Rabbit Pick-up

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