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NSU Ro 80 Trapeze - safe space for four people and mid-engine

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Created on September 13, 2012

Reading time 3min

Written by:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Archiv

9

Archiv

9

NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - interessanter Prototyp mit Nutzung der NSU-Ro80-Mechanik

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - Mittelmotor-Coupé mit Wankelmotor

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - der Motor sitzt längs hinter der zweiten Sitzreihe

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - Platz für vier im Trapez angeordneten Personen, die hinteren können die Beine an den Vordersitzen vorbei strecken

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - gedrungen - nur knapp 4 Meter lang und 1,83 Meter breit war der Prototyp

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - die Zeichnung offenbart wenig von der interessanten Raumaufteilung

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - Zeichnung des von Gandini entworfenen Sportwagens

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NSU Trapeze (1973) - Skizze des viersitzigen Mittelmotor-Fahrzeugs, welche die Sitzanordnung von oben zeigt

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NSU RO 80 Trapeze (1973) - die trapezförmige Anordnung der Sitzenden schaffte zusätzlichen Platz

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Summary

In October 1973, Bertone presented the NSU Ro80 Trapeze in Paris, a four-seater sports car with a mid-engine, which was characterized by its remarkable economy of space, forward-looking safety considerations and aerodynamic efficiency. This report describes the key design elements, shows the prototype in historical pictures and is supplemented by press documents from the time.

This article contains the following chapters

Small, longitudinally mounted mid-mounted Wankel engine
Compact dimensions
Laterally offset passengers
Aerodynamic design
Safety-oriented
Further information

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The challenge was complex! Is it possible to build a car in which four people can sit comfortably and the engine still sits lengthways in the middle for optimum weight distribution? The Bertone designers and engineers cracked the puzzle in 1973 and presented the NSU Ro 80 Trapeze at the Paris Motor Show. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the drive mechanism of the NSU Ro 80 offered the best conditions for space economy, for which mid-engined cars are not normally famous, as they allocate valuable space in the middle of the vehicle to the technology instead of the passengers. The Wankel engine was installed longitudinally, which is also a popular installation method for sports cars.

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