1-194-341 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

A 1974 NSU(Neckarsulm Strickmaschinen Union ) RO 80 viewed from above. Development began in August 1961 and it was officially shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Auto Show. It was named the Car of the Year in 1968. Originally it was to have a two rotor engine with 2 x 300 cc capacity. The design of the RO 80 was quite advanced for its time. It was front wheel drive. Suspension was fully independent. It had four-wheel disk brakes with dual circuits as a safety feature. Aerodynamic drag coefficient was 0.35, amazingly low for its time, though this was ultimately 0.39 with larger tires and cooling openings.