GTP Cool Wall: 1967-1977 NSU Ro80

[Jahgee]

1967-1977 NSU Ro80 nominated by @titleguy1

Engines: 2 x 497.5 cc 2-rotor Wankel
Power: 113 hp
Torque: 117 lb-ft.
Weight: 1210 kg
Transmission: 3-speed semi-automatic w/manual shifting mode
Drivetrain: Front engine, front wheel drive
Body Styles: 4-door sedan
Additional Info: "One of the first cars ever in the world to utilize a Wankel Rotary engine. Also was a huge step ahead in styling, technology, and performance. Unfortunately, it had a reputation of breaking down very often. It earned the European Car of the Year in 1968."​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

 

[Downhill Dino]

Inb4 wankel name = uncool. (But it is)

 

[titleguy1]

But wankel is cool D:

 

[ildd]

A three speed semi auto in 1967? That alone bumps it up from meh.

 

[Downhill Dino]

But wankel is cool D:

Not when that apex/side seal goes (annually) and you're on the side of the road.

 

[SomePlayaDude]

Front Engined, Front Wheel Drive.

Goodbye, Cool.

 

[Epic B]

Cool, because it looks interesting, and it has a Wankel engine.

 

[AlvaroF]

Yes it has a Wankel which is cool, or a 3-speed semi-auto which is kinda cool as well, but there's something about it that makes it uncool.

 

[Roger the Horse]

Called an NSU Ro80. I don't have to care about the rest when voting on coolness.

 

[Dennisch]

It has a semi automatic gearbox, with a clutch, and a normal H pattern shifter.
It works by pressing a button on the shifter to release the clutch.

Also, reliability went up on the later models. They're not bad to drive either, somewhat comfortable.

Cool.

 

[Legro]

It doesn't look like something from the 1967, actually it looks like it could have been released in the late 70s.

 

[Dagger311]

Breaks down often, and has a Wankel in it.

That combination is uncool.

 

[Adamgp]

Engine lasts 10,000-15,000 miles before needing a new engine, or at very least, complete rebuild.

And it's a Wankel.

Seriously Uncool.

 

[Wiegert]

Severely tainted by early engine faults. But like Citroens around that period, it dared to be an advanced quirk in European motoring. Except with a clean, modern design as opposed to being radically offbeat.

Low cool.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Was ahead of it's time. Still advanced today. Looks great, drives great. SZ.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

The ro80 was the right car, with the wrong time (and budget) of preparation. NSU didn't have the resources to undertake such an audacious car, and the reliability issues it had showed such a flaw. However, when it worked, it was a proper mean of transportation. Very aerodynamic and smooth to drive (according to many journalists).

Too bad its early reliability flop led to the death of NSU, followed by the merge with Audi and the slow death of the ro80 under the new management. Despite all of that, if you can find a proper conditioned car you will have a reliable vehicle. It's a head turner, the equivalent of a German Citröen DS. And it is cool, make no mistake about that.

 

[Tunerguy21]

Rotary.




And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[All Your Base]

Communist cars are seriously uncool. I only voted uncool because rotary.

 

[Slash]

A three speed semi auto in 1967? That alone bumps it up from meh.

Just about every American manufacturer had one of those.

 

[Anathema]

Communist cars are seriously uncool.

Not a communist car. Was made in West Germany.

 

[All Your Base]

Not a communist car. Was made in West Germany.

Really? Thought it was made in East Germany.

 

[GTPorsche]

Looks like it was designed for the late 70s/early 80s instead of a decade earlier.

Other than the Wankel, this car is cool.

Really? Thought it was made in East Germany.

NSU was West German.

 

[Alutec]

It's... Meh to me lel.

 

[All Your Base]

Looks like it was designed for the late 70s/early 80s instead of a decade earlier.

Other than the Wankel, this car is cool.

NSU was West German.

Still uncool.

 

[Joey D]

Seriously uncool. Anything with a rotary engine in it isn't cool since you'll look like a total dork trying to explain it to anyone. If it was East German, I'd probably bump it up slightly though.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Has a name that wouldn't look out of a place in a household appliance catalog.

Uncool.

 

[Slash]

Seriously uncool. Anything with a rotary engine in it isn't cool since you'll look like a total dork trying to explain it to anyone. If it was East German, I'd probably bump it up slightly though.

I disagree to an extent about explaining things. I don't think a car needs to be self explanatory. If you can educate someone about a car, sometimes they find that car even more cool than before.

 

[Tornado]

So crazily ahead of its time that it's (inevitable) failure brought the whole company down with it. It's cool in the sense that it's a desperation shot like the Taurus or Omni or Caravan or Cherokee. An extremely competitive and borderline revolutionary car made under times of great duress.


It's seriously uncool because it's a desperation shot that completely airballed, like the Pacer. Or the Aurora. Or the Cougar.

 

[MoLiEG]

Might have a wankel, but it looks completely unremarkable.

Uncool.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Might have a wankel, but it looks completely unremarkable.

Uncool.

I was going to say the same thing