Volkswagen K70
| Volkswagen K70 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | NSU K70 (1969–1970) |
| Production | 1970–1974 |
| Assembly |
Neckarsulm (NSU model) Salzgitter (VW model) |
| Designer | Claus Luthe |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size / Large family car (D) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L I4 1.8 L I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (105.9 in) |
| Length | 4,455 mm (175.4 in) |
| Width | 1,665 mm (65.6 in) |
| Height | 1,455 mm (57.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | none |
The Volkswagen K70 is a four-door, front engine, front wheel drive sedan developed by NSU and marketed from 1970–1975 by Volkswagen — after its 1969 acquisition of NSU.
Designed by NSU's chief engineer Ewald Praxl and styled by Claus Luthe as a four-door sedan (and three-door wagon) to complement the NSU Ro80, the K70 would ultimately become the first Volkswagen with a front-mounted engine, water cooling and front wheel drive. Competing with VW's own 411/412 and Audi's 100, the K70 was ultimately marketed only as a sedan — with 211,127 examples manufactured for model years 1970-1975.
The K70 retained NSU's naming convention — with K denoting the German word Kolben (piston) and 70 designating an engine output of 70 PS (51 kW; 69 hp).
The K70 was originally developed to complement the Ro 80, distinguished by its conventional piston engine rather than the Ro80's Wankel rotary engine. NSU scheduled the press launch for March 1969, intending to present it to the wider public at the 1969 Geneva Motor Show.
Prior to launch, rumors arose that Volkswagen would absorb cash strapped NSU. Even before the take over had been made public, the K70's future was threatened by management concerns that the K70 was too close in size and price to the recently launched Audi 100. Plans for the K70 launch were deferred at the last minute, with rumors that Volkswagen removed the K70 from NSU's show stand on the eve of the show.
A 26 April 1969 NSU shareholders' meeting endorsed a NSU/VW merger in which NSU was to take over Auto Union in return for an increase in the NSU share capital issued to Volkswagen. In reality, VW took over NSU, and during 1969 NSU was integrated with Auto Union, which Volkswagen had acquired from Daimler Benz in 1964 — in turn creating the basis of modern-day Audi.
VW needed a new family sedan to replace the Type 4, which itself had been intended as a move upmarket from Type 1-based cars. Considering the K70, with its front wheel drive and modern styling, could transform its image, VW scrapped publicity material showing the K70 badged as an NSU, and just over a year later the sedan went into production at Volkswagen's new Salzgitter plant, rather than at NSU's Neckarsulm plant. Branded as a Volkswagen, the K70 arrived off the production line in August 1970, and was subsequently launched in export markets. A launch date for the wagon / estate version, which would have competed directly against the Volkswagen 411/412 Variant, was delayed indefinitely.
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