| Volkswagen 411/Volkswagen 412 | |
|---|---|
 Volkswagen 411 LE Variant | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen AG |
| Production |
|
| Designer | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact /mid-size (D-class)family car |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | RR layout |
| Related | Volkswagen Type 3 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in)[1] |
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,675 mm (65.9 in)[1] |
| Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in)[1] |
| Curb weight |
|
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Volkswagen Passat |
TheVolkswagen Type 4 is a compact / midsizefamily car, manufactured and marketed byVolkswagen of Germany as aD‑segment car from 1968 to 1974 in two-door and four-doorsedan as well as two-doorstation wagon body styles. The Type 4 evolved through two generations, the411 (1968–1972) and412 series (1972–1974).
Designed under the direction ofHeinrich Nordhoff and introduced at theParis Motor Show in October 1968,[2] the 411 was Volkswagen's largest passenger vehicle with the company's largest engine – with styling credited toCarrozzeria Pininfarina, who at the time had an advisory contract with Volkswagen.[3] The cars retained VW's trademarkair-cooled,rear placement, rear-wheel drive,boxer engine with a front/rear weight distribution of 45/55%[3] and a forward cargo storage 400 L (14.1 cu ft)[4] — while also introducing design and engineering departures for the company – including a completely flat passenger area floor and suspension using control arms andMacPherson struts. Volkswagen had prototyped anotchback sedan and convertible versions of the 411, without introducing them to production.
Over six-years, Type 4 production reached 367,728, compared to 210,082 of the subsequentVolkswagen K70 over four model years. Sales reached 119,627 in the United States (1971-1974); 119,094 in Germany; 34,452 in South Africa and 13,367 in the United Kingdom.
Volkswagen's lastair-cooled sedans and wagons, (aside from theBrasília which carried on until 1982) the Type 4 models were succeeded by the first generationPassat.
As Volkswagen's first 4-door saloon, the Type 4 also introducedunibody construction, coil springs, trailing wishbone rear suspension, hydraulic clutch manual transmission – as well asMacPherson strut front suspension: the 411's front suspension layout was subsequently adopted for the VW Type 11302/1303 ("Super Beetle").
When the Type 4 was discontinued in 1974, its engine carried on as the power plant for the larger-enginedVolkswagen Type 2s, produced from 1972 to 1979, and for the laterVolkswagen Type 2 (T3) bus from 1980 until 1983.
At launch, the 411 featured a 1679 cc engine with twin carburetors, subsequently modified in 1969 withBosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection and with claimed power output increased from 68 to 80 PS (50 to 59 kW). This fuel-injected engine was shared with the mid-enginedPorsche 914, also launched in 1969. European 411 nomenclature highlighted the fuel injection with the suffix 'E' (forEinspritzung). Revisions in 1969 also included replacement of the single oval headlights with twin round headlights.
The Type 4's battery was located under the left hand front seat. All models featured ventless driver and front passenger windows, notched on their leading edge to provide draught-free ventilation,[5] no cost metallic paint, radial ply tires, full carpeting, clock, electric rear window demister, flow-through ventilation, undercoating, and a thermostatically controlled auxiliary heating system,[4] specifically, agasoline-operated heater model BA4 byEberspächer, fired by a spark plug, accessible from a hidden rear window deck plate.
The 411 was also assembled in South Africa beginning in 1969, in two- or four-door configurations. The four-door only came as a DeLuxe and was available with an optional automatic transmission, while the two-door was available either as a Standard or a DeLuxe.
In 1968,Karmann presented a 411-based cabriolet prototype which did not enter production.[6][7]
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The 412 replaced the 411 in August 1972 in Germany,[8] The redesign by noted stylistBrooks Stevens[1] featured Halogen lights,[8] revised headlight surrounds and nose panels. In August 1973 (for the 1974 model year), the engine capacity was raised to 1795 cc and fuel management reverted to a twin carburettor system; the 412LE was renamed 412LS. This was to be the last model year for the 412, with production ending in June 1974.
The visual design of the Volkswagen 412 Variant was retained when theBrazilian Type 3 models TL, Variant, Variant II, and later Brazilian Variant-basedVolkswagen Brasilia were produced in Brazil, primarily for theLatin American markets.
In February 1974, the four-door 412L was priced at DM 10,995 (DM 11,145 for the 412 LS) in the German home market.[1]
The 412 was also built in South Africa from 1972 to 1974. The specification varied somewhat from European models, with the omission of the petrol heater, no rear window de-fogger as standard and with different paint options and interior trim. A total of 34,452 of the Type 4 (411 and 412) were produced in South Africa between 1969 and 1974.[citation needed]
| Technical data Volkswagen Type 4[9](Manufacturer's figures except where stated) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen 411 / 412 | 411 2- or 4-door saloon | 411 E/ LE 2- or 4-door saloon Variant (3-door estate) | 412 E/LE 2- or 4-door saloon Variant (3-door estate) | 412 2- or 4-door saloon Variant (3-door estate) | 412 S 2- or 4-door saloon | |
| Produced: | 1968–1969 | 1969–1972 | 1972–1973 | 1973–1974 | 1973–1974 | |
| Engine: | Four-stroke4-cylinder boxer motor, rear-mounted | |||||
| Displacement: | 1679 cc | 1679 cc | 1679 cc | 1795 cc | 1795 cc | |
| Bore x Stroke: | 90 x 66 | 90 x 66 | 90 x 66 | 93 x 66 | 93 x 66 | |
| Max. Power @ rpm: | 68 hp (51 kW) @ 4500 | 80 hp (60 kW) @ 4900 | 80 hp (60 kW) @ 4900 | 75 hp (56 kW) @ 5000 | 85 hp (63 kW) @ 5000 | |
| Max. Torque @ rpm: | 124 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) @ 2800 | 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) @ 2700 | 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) @ 2700 | 129 N⋅m (95 lb⋅ft) @ 3400 | 135 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft) @ 3400 | |
| Compression Ratio: | 7.8 : 1 | 8.2 : 1 | 8.2 : 1 | - | - | |
| Fuel feed: | Twin carburettors Solex 34 PDSIT | Electronic Fuel Injection Bosch D-Jetronic | Twin carburettors Solex 40 PDSIT | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 50 L (13.2 US gal; 11.0 imp gal) | |||||
| Valvetrain: | ||||||
| Cooling: | Air | |||||
| Gearbox: | 4-speed all-synchromesh manual with floor-mounted lever control & rear-wheel drive Optional 3-speed automatic | |||||
| Electrical system: | 12-volt | |||||
| Front suspension: | Independent.MacPherson Struts | |||||
| Rear suspension:: | Independent. Semi-trailing arms with double joint axles and coil springs | |||||
| Brakes: | Front discs / rear drums: Optional power assistance | |||||
| Steering: | Recirculating ball | |||||
| Body structure: | Monocoque | |||||
| Dry weight: | 1,020 kg (2,250 lb) - 1,080 kg (2,380 lb) ( 2-door) 1,040 kg (2,290 lb) - 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) ( 4-door) 1,120 kg (2,470 lb) ( Variant) | 1,080 kg (2,380 lb) ( 2-door) 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) ( 4-door) 1,120 kg (2,470 lb) ( Variant) | ||||
| Track front/ rear: | 1,376 mm (54.2 in) 1,342 mm (52.8 in) | 1,376 mm (54.2 in) 1,342 mm (52.8 in) | 1,386 mm (54.6 in) 1,350 mm (53 in) | 1,386 mm (54.6 in) 1,350 mm (53 in) | 1,386 mm (54.6 in) 1,350 mm (53 in) | |
| Wheelbase: | 2,500 mm (98 in) | |||||
| Length: | 4,553 mm (179.3 in) Saloon 4,525 mm (178.1 in) Variant | 4,583 mm (180.4 in) Saloon 4,555 mm (179.3 in) Variant | ||||
| Width: | 1,636 mm (64.4 in) | |||||
| Height: | 1,486 mm (58.5 in) | |||||
| Top Speeds ........Manual: ....Automatic: | 145 km/h (90 mph) 142 km/h (88 mph) | 155 km/h (96 mph) 152 km/h (94 mph) | 155 km/h (96 mph) 152 km/h (94 mph) | 150 km/h (93 mph) 147 km/h (91 mph) | 158 km/h (98 mph) 155 km/h (96 mph) | |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) ........Manual: ....Automatic: | 18.0 s 21.0 s | 17.0 s 20.0 s | 17.0 s 20.0 s | 16.5 s 20.0 s | 14.5 s 17.5 s | |
Long the subject of sneak preview photos, the VW 411 bore a passing resemblance to the VW 1600TL, while Pininfarina who had an advisory contract with Volkswagen, is credited with the car's styling.
