View source for Volkswagen Type 4

{{Infobox automobile
| image = Vw 411 v sst.jpg
| caption = Volkswagen 411 LE Variant
| name = Volkswagen 411/Volkswagen 412
| manufacturer = [[Volkswagen|Volkswagen AG]]
| production = {{unbulleted list
  | '''411''': August 1968 – July 1972 
  | '''412''': August 1972 – July 1974 
  }}
| assembly = {{unbulleted list
  | Germany: [[Wolfsburg]] (1968–1973)
  | Germany: [[Salzgitter]] (1973–1974)
  | South Africa: [[Uitenhage]] (412 only)
   }}
| predecessor = 
| successor = [[Volkswagen Passat]]
| class = [[Compact car|Compact]] / [[mid-size]] ([[D-segment|D-class]]) [[family car]]
| body_style = {{unbulleted list
  | 2-door [[fastback]]
  | 4-door [[fastback |fastback sedan]]
  | 3-door [[station wagon|estate]]
  }}
| engine = {{unbulleted list
  | 1679&nbsp;cc [[Flat-4]] (1968–1973)
  | 1795&nbsp;cc [[Flat-4]] (1973–1974)
  }}
| layout = [[RR layout]]
| transmission = {{unbulleted list
  | 4-speed manual
  | 3-speed automatic optional
  }}
| length = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|4553|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} ''(411)''
  | {{convert |4583|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name= AutoMotoruSport1974>{{Cite magazine |title=Test VW 412 LS |magazine=[[Auto, Motor und Sport]] |volume=Heft 3 1974 |pages= 40–48 |date=2 February 1974}}</ref> ''(412)''
  }}
| width = {{convert|1675|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name= AutoMotoruSport1974 />
| height = {{convert |1475|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name= AutoMotoruSport1974/>
| weight = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert |1020|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} ''2-door 411''
  | {{convert |1120|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ''Variant''
  }}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name= AutoMotoruSport1974/>
| related = [[Volkswagen Type 3]]
| designer = {{unbulleted list
  | [[Pininfarina]]
  | [[Brooks Stevens]] <small>(412)</small>
  }}
}}

The '''Volkswagen Type 4''' is a compact / midsize [[family car]], manufactured and marketed by [[Volkswagen]] of Germany as a [[D-segment|D{{nbh}}segment car]] from 1968 to 1974 in two-door and four-door [[saloon (car)|sedan]] as well as two-door [[station wagon]] body styles. The Type 4 evolved through two generations, the '''411''' (1968–1972) and '''412''' series (1972–1974).

Designed under the direction of [[Heinrich Nordhoff]] and introduced at the [[Paris Motor Show]] in October 1968,<ref name= Autocar1968>{{Cite magazine |title= News and Views: What's new at Paris |magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume= 129 |issue=3790 |page= 59 |date= 3 October 1968}}</ref> the 411 was Volkswagen's largest passenger vehicle with the company's largest engine &ndash; with styling credited to [[Pininfarina|Carrozzeria Pininfarina]], who at the time had an advisory contract with Volkswagen.<ref name="air-cooled era">{{cite book | title = The Air-Cooled Era in Colour | first = Richard | last = Copping | page = 168 | publisher = Veloce Publishing | date = October 2005 | isbn = 9781904788928 | place = UK | quote = 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. | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DpknKWs1PkAC&pg=PA168}}</ref> The cars retained VW's trademark [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]], [[rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|rear placement, rear-wheel drive]], [[Flat engine|boxer engine]] with a front/rear weight distribution of 45/55%<ref name= "air-cooled era"/> and a forward cargo storage {{convert |14.1|ft3|L|abbr=on|round=5|order= flip}}<ref name= "brochure" /> — while also introducing design and engineering departures for the company &ndash; including a completely flat passenger area floor and suspension using control arms and [[MacPherson strut]]s.  Volkswagen had prototyped a [[notchback]] 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 subsequent [[Volkswagen 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 last [[air-cooled]] sedans and wagons, (aside from the [[Volkswagen Brasília|Brasília]] which carried on until 1982) the Type 4 models were succeeded by the first generation [[Volkswagen Passat|Passat]].

{{TOC limit|3}}

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==Features==
As Volkswagen's first 4-door saloon, the Type 4 also introduced [[unibody]] construction, coil springs, trailing wishbone rear suspension, hydraulic clutch manual transmission &ndash; as well as [[MacPherson strut]] front suspension: the 411's front suspension layout was subsequently adopted for the VW Type 1 [[Volkswagen Beetle#1970–1979 models|1302/1303]] ("Super Beetle").

When the Type 4 was discontinued in 1974, its engine carried on as the power plant for the larger-engined [[Volkswagen Type 2]]s, produced from 1972 to 1979, and for the later [[Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)]] bus from 1980 until 1983.

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==411==
At launch, the 411 featured a 1679&nbsp;cc engine with twin carburetors, subsequently modified in 1969 with [[Jetronic|Bosch D-Jetronic]] electronic fuel injection and with claimed power output increased from {{cvt|68|to|80|PS|kW|0}}. This fuel-injected engine was shared with the mid-engined [[Porsche 914]], also launched in 1969. European 411 nomenclature highlighted the fuel injection with the suffix 'E' (for ''Einspritzung''). 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,<ref name="popmech1">{{cite magazine
  | title = Dept of Transportation NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
  | work = Popular Mechanics
  | first= Bill |last=Hartford
  | date= March 1971
  | page= 92
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qNcDAAAAMBAJ&q=volkswagen+411+road+and+track&pg=PA92}}</ref> 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,<ref name="brochure">{{cite web
  | title = 1971 Volkswagen 411, USA Brochure
  | publisher = Volkswagen
  | url = http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/71411s/page17.jpg}}</ref> specifically, a [[Gasoline heater|gasoline-operated heater]] model BA4 by [[Eberspächer]], 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/post/181205123457/volkswagen-411-cabriolet-1968-by-karmann-a |title=Volkswagen 411 Cabriolet, 1968, by Karmann. A... |publisher=Carsthatnevermadeitetc |via=Tumblr |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.type4.org/pictures/1966/index.html |title=Prototypes |publisher=www.type4.org |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="135px">
File:Volkswagen 411 Front view Essex.jpg|1968 Volkswagen 411L 4-door saloon. 1968 models are distinguished by their single oblong covered headlamps.
File:VW 411 LE 1971 2.JPG|1971 Volkswagen 411 LE
File:1972 Volkswagen 411 LE Variant in White, rear left.jpg|1972 Volkswagen 411 LE Variant, rear view
File:Techno Classica 2018, Essen (IMG 9675).jpg|411 convertible concept
File:Volkswagen 411 notchback prototype 1966. In the end the manufacturer prefered a fastback profile for the Type 4.JPG|Type 4 notchback prototype
</gallery>

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==412==
The 412 replaced the 411 in August 1972 in Germany,<ref name=AutoZeitung197208>{{Cite journal |title=Neues vom Markt: Neuer 412: Sicherer, schöner und komfortabler | trans-title = Market news: New 412: Safer, better looking, and more comfortable | language = de |journal=[[Auto Zeitung]] |number= 17  |page = 4 |date=12 August 1972}}</ref> The redesign by noted stylist [[Brooks Stevens]]<ref name=AutoMotoruSport1974/> featured Halogen lights,<ref name=AutoZeitung197208/> revised headlight surrounds and nose panels. In August 1973 (for the 1974 model year), the engine capacity was raised to 1795&nbsp;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 the [[Volkswagen Type 3#Brazilian Type 3|Brazilian Type 3]] models TL, Variant, Variant II, and later Brazilian Variant-based [[Volkswagen Brasilia]] were produced in Brazil, primarily for the [[Latin America]]n 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.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport1974/>

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|date=December 2020}}
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<gallery widths="200px" heights="145px">
File:Volkswagen_412_2-door_at_Schaffen-Diest_in_2015.JPG|Volkswagen 412 (fastback)
File:VW 412 LE Variant hl.jpg|VW 412 LE Variant
File:Volkswagen 412 L Variant Classic-Days 2022 DSC 0161.jpg|VW 412 L Variant
</gallery>

==Data==
{| class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse"
|-
! colspan="6" style="text-align: center;" | Technical data Volkswagen Type 4<ref name=DeAutos45bis90Oswald>{{Cite book |last=Oswald |first=Werner |title=Deutsche Autos 1945–1975, Band 4 |year=2003 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3-613-02116-1 |pages= 62–65}}</ref> ''(Manufacturer's figures except where stated)''
|-
! width="15%"|Volkswagen 411 / 412
!  width="17%"|411 <br />2- or 4-door saloon
! width="17%"|411 E/ LE <br />2- or 4-door saloon<br /> Variant (3-door estate)
! width="17%"|412 E/LE<br />2- or 4-door saloon<br /> Variant (3-door estate)
! width="17%"|412 <br />2- or 4-door saloon<br /> Variant (3-door estate)
! width="17%"|412 S<br />2- or 4-door saloon
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Produced:&nbsp; || align="center" |1968–1969 || align="center" |1969–1972 || align="center" |1972–1973 || align="center" |1973–1974 || align="center" |1973–1974
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Engine:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" | [[Four-stroke]] [[Flat-4|4-cylinder boxer motor]], rear-mounted
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Displacement:&nbsp; || align="center" |1679 cc || align="center" |1679 cc || align="center" |1679 cc || align="center" |1795 cc || align="center" |1795 cc
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Bore x Stroke:&nbsp; || align="center" |90 x 66 || align="center" |90 x 66 || align="center" |90 x 66 || align="center" |93 x 66 || align="center" |93 x 66
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Max. Power @ rpm:&nbsp; || align="center" |{{Convert|68|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 4500 || align="center" |{{Convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 4900 || align="center" |{{Convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 4900 || align="center" |{{Convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 5000 || align="center" |{{Convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} @ 5000
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Max. Torque @ rpm:&nbsp; || align="center" | {{convert|124|Nm|lbft||abbr=on}} @ 2800 || align="center" | {{convert|132|Nm|lbft||abbr=on}} @ 2700 || align="center" | {{convert|132|Nm|lbft||abbr=on}} @ 2700 || align="center" |{{convert|129|Nm|lbft||abbr=on}} @ 3400 || align="center" | {{convert|135|Nm|lbft||abbr=on}} @ 3400
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Compression Ratio:&nbsp; || align="center" |7.8 : 1 || align="center" |8.2 : 1 || align="center" |8.2 : 1 || align="center" |- || align="center" |-
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Fuel feed:&nbsp; || align="center" |Twin carburettors<br />Solex 34 PDSIT||colspan="2" align="center" |Electronic Fuel Injection<br />[[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] D-Jetronic||colspan="2" align="center" |Twin carburettors<br />Solex 40 PDSIT
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Fuel tank capacity:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" |  {{Convert|50|L|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on}}
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Valvetrain:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  Cooling:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" |[[Air-cooled engine|Air]]
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Gearbox:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" |  4-speed all-synchromesh manual with floor-mounted lever control & rear-wheel drive<br />Optional 3-speed automatic
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Electrical system:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" |  12-volt
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Front suspension:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" | Independent.  [[MacPherson strut|MacPherson Struts]]
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Rear suspension::&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" | Independent.  Semi-trailing arms with double joint axles and coil springs
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Brakes:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" | Front discs / rear drums: Optional power assistance
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Steering:&nbsp; || colspan="6" align="center" | Recirculating ball
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Body structure:&nbsp; ||colspan="6" align="center" | [[Monocoque]]
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  || colspan="6" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  || colspan="6" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Dry weight:&nbsp; || colspan="2" align="center" |{{convert|1020|kg|lb||abbr=on}} - {{convert|1080|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( 2-door)<br />{{convert|1040|kg|lb||abbr=on}} - {{convert|1100|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( 4-door)<br /> {{convert|1120|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( Variant)|| colspan="3" align="center" |{{convert|1080|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( 2-door)<br />{{convert|1100|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( 4-door)<br /> {{convert|1120|kg|lb||abbr=on}} ( Variant)
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  || colspan="6" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Track front/<br />rear:&nbsp; || align="center" |{{convert|1376|mm|in||abbr=on}} {{convert|1342|mm|in||abbr=on}} || align="center" |{{convert|1376|mm|in||abbr=on}} {{convert|1342|mm|in||abbr=on}}|| align="center" |{{convert|1386|mm|in||abbr=on}} {{convert|1350|mm|in||abbr=on}}|| align="center" |{{convert|1386|mm|in||abbr=on}} {{convert|1350|mm|in||abbr=on}}|| align="center" |{{convert|1386|mm|in||abbr=on}} {{convert|1350|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Wheelbase:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" |{{convert|2500|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Length:&nbsp; || colspan="2" align="center"| {{convert|4553|mm|in||abbr=on}} Saloon<br /> {{convert|4525|mm|in||abbr=on}} Variant || colspan="3" align="center"| {{convert|4583|mm|in||abbr=on}} Saloon<br /> {{convert|4555|mm|in||abbr=on}} Variant
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Width:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" | {{convert|1636|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Height:&nbsp; || colspan="5" align="center" | {{convert|1486|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  || colspan="5" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|  || colspan="5" align="center" |
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Top Speeds<br />   ........Manual:<br />  ....Automatic:|| align="center" |<br />145&nbsp;km/h (90&nbsp;mph)<br />142&nbsp;km/h (88&nbsp;mph) || align="center" |<br />155&nbsp;km/h (96&nbsp;mph)<br />152&nbsp;km/h (94&nbsp;mph) || align="center" |<br />155&nbsp;km/h (96&nbsp;mph)<br />152&nbsp;km/h (94&nbsp;mph) || align="center" |<br />150&nbsp;km/h (93&nbsp;mph)<br />147&nbsp;km/h (91&nbsp;mph)|| align="center" |<br />158&nbsp;km/h (98&nbsp;mph)<br />155&nbsp;km/h (96&nbsp;mph)
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
| Acceleration 0 – 100&nbsp;km/h (0 - 62&nbsp;mph)<br />   ........Manual:<br />  ....Automatic:|| align="center" |<br />18.0 s<br />21.0 s || align="center" |<br />17.0 s<br />20.0 s || align="center" |<br />17.0 s<br />20.0 s || align="center" |<br />16.5 s<br />20.0 s || align="center" |<br />14.5 s<br />17.5 s
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|}

==Sources and further reading==
{{Commons category|Volkswagen Type 4}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Volkswagen (Europe) timeline 1950–1979}}
{{Volkswagen (North America) timeline 1950–1979}}

{{VW}}

[[Category:Volkswagen vehicles|Type 4]]
[[Category:Cars powered by boxer engines]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1968]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]