[rFactor] VW-Variant TL 1971 @Interlagos (mod Brazilian Sim Cars) [HD]

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viberock2008

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Published on May 12, 2013 4:11:02 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0dqD_k2grM

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rFactor (2005)

Duration: 2:51

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4

The line was 1600/TL/Variant Volkswagen, along with Beetle and Kombi, the basis of the presence of Volkswagen in the Brazilian market until the arrival of the Passat in 1974. All were equipped with air-cooled rear engines and the same mechanical platform of the Volkswagen Beetle.
Derived from the German Typ 3 (more specifically a prototype matrix not entered production), Brazil in December 1968 saw the premiere of the 1600 VW, a car three volumes and four doors, with an air motor 1600 cc , installed in the rear.
Accommodated four passengers and led to about 135 km / h. The front, unique in the world, had rectangular headlamps until 1970, when they were replaced by two round headlights on each side.
The plant sustained marketing in the beauty of the car that apparently only she saw, and the car has had limited success, being popular only among taxi drivers. Its rectangular shapes earned him the curious nickname "Coffin Joe", perhaps because of its resemblance to a coffin, or perhaps seem a creation of the famous filmmaker. Another curious surname, the most famous in the South, was "soap". Although being a nickname less aggressive than "Coffin Joe", which also failed to fall into the little cart through the people. It was discontinued in 1971.
But the fruit of the line begun by 1600 were positive for VW. Derived from it, the factory followed the natural tendency of European line, launching the first truck (van) Variant in 1969. With the impending exit line from the 1600 original, the plant released two volumes and a half (fastback) TL in 1970, with the engine's horizontal Variant - and in the following year was elected by Autoesporte Magazine Car of the Year 1971.
Both had the same engine in 1600, but the body style made all the difference. Besides the small cargo area in the front, now had ample space in the rear, extended by horizontal engine, which occupied much less space (the fan was now mounted on the crankshaft). In the case of Variant, the total space to load reached 640 liters. The interior was little more than Spartan. The rejection problem was solved in the design 1971 through a redesign of the front. Both cars earned a lower front and sloping inwards. Despite the nickname "head catfish", the new design has found wide acceptance. VW also launched a 4-door version of the TL, to attract taxi drivers (who used much the VW 1600 four-door).
The models have amassed good sales during the 70s, and even surpassed Variant domestic Ford Belina, much more technologically advanced (largely due to the poor road conditions in Brazil).
However, despite the success in the Brazilian market and the absence of competitors (VW dominated about 70% of the market), the age of the project began to regret (the similar European was 1961), and Volkswagen, which has experienced difficulties in overseas with online "air", also decided to introduce here the line Passat, already in 1974, occupying the same niche market of TL. This internal competition, plus the launch of the VW Brasilia, decreed the end of the line TL in 1975, being able to find some residual units of 1976.
Would not this be the last attempt of VW to enable a project with air motor. So, instead of bringing the wagon version of the Passat (also called Variant name that persists to this day), Volkswagen of Brazil has invested in its own project, the Variant II basically a larger version of Brasilia. With several technical advances, notably the MacPherson strut front and semi-swept arms on the rear, the model impressed when compared to their "older sister". Even the use of such suspension in front advocated the use of a front engine, which never occurred. But mechanical problems inherent in the model (and the future launch of Parati planned by the factory, to occupy the same market position) brought the end of the model in 1981.
One can not say that the family car finished without leaving remnants, since the VW Gol was a kind of convergence between Brasilia (this in itself a great success) and the Passat / Golf. Although they have not reached the status of cult cars like the SP2 or Karmann Ghia, the line is still in circulation in Brazil, and well kept and original models now attract the attention of collectors.

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