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Saloon
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For many decades the traditional saloon was the most important car type. This channel shows many nice exemples
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Model update - VW Passat 1500 N in (historical) test
The first VW Passat was largely identical in construction to the Audi 80 and offered a wide range of engines. From September 1974, the 1500 N was added, which now ran on normal fuel. The test report revealed whether it was able to match the performance of the 1500 S despite its lower compression ratio, even before the official sales launch.
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For diesel fans - Mercedes-Benz D 3.0 in the (historic) test
Today, Mercedes' legendarily robust diesel engines quickly come to mind. Let's look back to 1974, when the 240 D 3.0 was introduced; with its five-cylinder engine, it laid the foundation for other powerful diesel vehicles. This contemporary test report takes a closer look at the five-cylinder diesel engine.
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Reflection - BMW 518 in the (historic) test
Instead of the technically possible upward expansion of the 520/525 model series (to a 528 or 530), the new BMW 518 appeared from June 1974 as a downward adjustment in response to the sharp rise in operating costs and car prices. This historical test report takes a close look at the economy model.
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From family car to sports sedan - Ford Cortina Lotus in the (historic) test
The AR testers summarized the results of this short test from 1964 in a few words: As could not be otherwise, the qualities of the Lotus model of the Cortina series, built in a relatively small series, have to be paid for, both literally and figuratively. As a mere means of transportation, it is undoubtedly too expensive. But anyone who appreciates the genuinely sporty driving experience that this outwardly inconspicuous saloon can offer will find it as hard to resist its charms as we do.
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Bugatti EB112 - slowed down too early?
The modern Bugatti has the engine in front of the rear axle. This has been the case since the early nineties and applies to series production vehicles. But as early as 1993, a four-door saloon with a front mid-engine was shown at the Geneva Motor Show, which almost went into production. But it was not to be. The successors, of which there were several, were also unsuccessful. This report tells the story of the Bugatti EB 112.
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Brave Tour - Ford Escort in (historic) test
The Ford Escort increasingly fell behind in the face of strong competition from the Opel Kadett and VW Golf. But were there still good reasons in favor of the tried-and-tested Escort? Find out in the 1974 test report.
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Aston Martin Rapide - The sporty family transporter
In September 2008, Aston Martin announced that the Lagonda name would be resurrected, and a year later the new four-door Aston Martin was presented at the IAA in Frankfurt - contrary to expectations, however, it was not called Lagonda, but Aston Martin Rapide, and was based on the Aston Martin DB 9.
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Lancia Augusta (1936) - Lancia's big hit with a small car
Lancia was in crisis in 1930. 75 percent of production had been exported at the end of the 1920s, but these markets had collapsed. The company now sought its fortune on the domestic market and with a small car: the Lancia Augusta.
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Slimming cure - Opel Kadett 1000 in (historical) test
The gasoline crisis, which became the gasoline price crisis, hatched it, but it was not a difficult birth. Opel reached into the kit and the Kadett 1000 was ready. You can read about what the car from the incubator was capable of in the historical test report from 1974.
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Twelve years and still going strong – Simca 1000 LS in (historical) test
With 40 hp and a rear engine, the Simca 1000 was an endangered species. Apart from the price (6000 DM), was there anything else that spoke in favor of the handy city runabout? Read the test report from 1974 and find out.
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Windbag - BMW 2002 with turbocharger in (historical) test
In 1974, car tester Jürgen Rapp was anything but enthusiastic about the then new BMW 2002 with turbocharger. He even went so far as to reject the turbocharger concept itself. As we know, the turbo nevertheless proved its worth in the years that followed, so it is all the more exciting to read in the test from back then how the early turbos felt.
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Heirs without the old glory? - Alfetta and BMW 520i in a (historic) comparison test
BMW and Alfa Romeo each launched a sporty, comfortable model on the mid-range market in 1972. Although the development goal was similar, the results differed significantly. The 1974 comparison test reveals who did the better job.
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Cultural achievement - Audi 80 GT in (historic) test
Just as Audi presented the powerful 80 GT, the speed was limited to 80 or 100 km/h in Germany. The question therefore arose: does 100 hp still make sense? This test report from 1974 provides the answer.
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Rover 2000 TC - Innovative design with style
With the P6, known as the Rover 2000, Rover created a truly innovative and durable saloon, which was named the first "Car of the Year" in 1964. No wonder the car still has many fans today, especially as a version with two carburetors (TC). This article tells the story of the Rover P6 and shows a 2000 TC in many pictures.
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The half-strengths - BMW 2002, Audi 80 GT, Escort RS 2000 and Ascona 19 SR in a (historical) comparison test
The era of sporty saloons began with the BMW 2002. Opel launched its first attacks on the Munich-based domain with its Ascona 19 SR, followed belatedly by Ford with the Escort RS 2000. Audi was the last to push for a place in the 100 hp society with the 80 GT. In 1973 a comparison test checked whether the newcomer from Ingolstadt could catch up with or even overtake its earlier competitors.
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Afterthought - Fiat 132 GL/GLS in (historical) test
The introduction of the Fiat 132 was met with criticism. Fiat did not give up, however, but tried to take this criticism to heart. The result was the revised Fiat 132 GL/GLS in 1974, which was closely scrutinized in the 1974 test report. Did it convince the editors?
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Mercedes-Benz 170 (W 15) – Swinging Thirties
With the W 15, Daimler-Benz had already ventured into more popular price categories 51 years before the 190 E. And as with the "Baby Benz" half a century later, the smallest Mercedes, the Type 170, was also the most modern.
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Lancia Flaminia Berlina 2.8 - breakfast with Audrey Hepburn
The Lancia Flaminia saloon was built for almost 13 years and owed its shape to one of the most famous styling studies of all time. Six seats and Granturismo-capable performance spoke in favor of the four-door model, although the two-door versions were built more frequently. One of the rare Berlina variants belonged to the famous actress Audrey Hepburn. This article tells the story of the Flaminia Berlina and its association with the Hollywood star.
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Panhard (PL) 17 - Downsizing pioneer
The Panhard (PL) 17 transported six people, reached top speeds of up to 145 km/h depending on the version and all this with an air-cooled two-cylinder engine and a displacement of less than 900 cm3. It even excelled in rallying. It is worth taking a look back at this car from a long-forgotten brand.
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New Midrange – Peugeot 504 L in (historical) test
With the 504 L, Peugeot presented a genuine gap-filler between the ageing 404 and the more powerful 504 GL. With the onset of the oil crisis, interest in fuel-efficient cars increased. Was the 504 L able to become a bestseller or did it remain a shelf warmer? Find out in the 1974 test report.
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