With the special exhibition "Revolution - 50 years of the NSU Ro 80", Audi Tradition is honoring a special moment in the company's history: in 1967, the NSU Ro 80 luxury class car celebrated its premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt. In the same year, an international jury voted the model Car of the Year. As a highlight, the exhibition at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm from September 30, 2017 to May 27, 2018 shows extraordinary model variants of the Neckarsulm design icon.
Numerous exhibits on the history of the design icon
In 1967, the NSU Ro 80 set new standards in terms of road holding, safety, comfort and performance. Its futuristic, wedge-shaped body line made it a milestone in automotive design. The Ro 80 is also considered the most famous of all cars with a Wankel engine. Felix Wankel pursued the idea of an internal combustion engine with revolving pistons from the late 1920s onwards, and it took more than 30 years to develop it to production maturity. In March 1954, Wankel designed the basic shape of the engine that was later named after him. Three years later, this engine ran under its own power for the first time on a test bench at the NSU factory. The team from the NSU development department simplified the technically complicated structure with two components rotating inside each other. Thanks in part to this engine concept, the Ro 80 was probably NSU's most avant-garde car.
From 1967 to 1977, a total of 37,406 Ro 80s rolled off the production line at the Neckarsulm plant. The car went down in history as the brand's most advanced, largest and last model. In 1969, at the instigation of Volkswagen AG, the company merged with Ingolstadt-based Auto Union GmbH to form Audi NSU Auto Union AG. In 1985, this merger gave rise to today's Audi AG.
Special exhibition in Neckarsulm from September 30, 2017 to May 27, 2018
Visitors to the "Revolution - 50 years of the NSU Ro 80" exhibition can see various versions of this car alongside exhibits on the model's development. The exhibits include the oldest Ro 80 in its original condition, Felix Wankel's private Ro 80, design studies by Pininfarina and Bertone, technology carriers and a K70 - the last car developed by NSU, which was ultimately launched on the market as the Volkswagen model VW K70.
Over 100 Ro 80 drivers with their cars at the opening event
More than 100 Ro 80 drivers and their historic cars have announced their attendance at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm for the opening of the exhibition on September 30, 2017. Audi Tradition will be offering exclusive Ro 80 accessories in a special sale on this day. In addition to models in various scales, T-shirts, pins and limited edition collector's folders will be on offer. Klaus Arth, author of the recently published book on the Ro 80 anniversary, will be on hand to sign his book "NSU Ro 80, Vorsprung durch Technik".
Further information can be found on the website.
