1972 Volkswagen 181

The Volkswagen 181 is a 4 door convertible/cabriolet-bodied car with a rear located engine powering the rear wheels. It is powered by a naturally aspirated engine of 1.6 litre capacity. This unit features overhead valve valve gear, 4 cylinder layout, and 2 valves per cylinder. It develops 44 bhp (44.6 PS/32.8 kW) of power at 3800 rpm, and maximum torque of 98 N·m (72 lb·ft/10 kgm) at 2000 rpm. The engine delivers its power through to the wheels via a 4 speed manual transmission. Its stated weight at the kerb is 900 kg. The Volkswagen 181 is claimed to achieve a maxiumum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).
Full specs

Body type
4 door convertible/cabriolet with 4/5 seats
Length
3780 mm
Weight
900 kg
Engine type
naturally aspirated petrol
Engine size
1.6 litre
Cylinders
4, Flat
Power
44.6 PS / 44 bhp / 32.8 kW @ 3800 rpm
Torque
98 Nm / 72 ft.lb / 10 kgm @ 2000 rpm
Top speed
110 km/h / 68 mph

1972 Volkswagen 181 specifications

1972 Volkswagen 181 data
bodywork
Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español English
Body type	4/5 seater convertible/cabriolet
Number of doors	4
Designer
dimensions & weights
Wheelbase	2400 mm	94.5 inches
Track/tread (front)	1324 mm	52.1 inches
Track/tread (rear)	1416 mm	55.7 inches
Length	3780 mm	148.8 inches
Width	1640 mm	64.6 inches
Height	1620 mm	63.8 inches
Ground clearance	205 mm	8.1 inches
length:wheelbase ratio	1.58
Kerb weight	900 kg	1984 lb
Weight distribution
fuel tank capacity	40 litres	8.8 [10.6] UK [US] gal.
aerodynamics
Drag coefficient
Frontal area
CdA
Powertrain
engine type	naturally aspirated petrol
Engine manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine code
Cylinders	Flat 4
Capacity	1.6 litre 1584 cc (96.662 cu in)
Bore × Stroke	85.5 × 69 mm 3.37 × 2.72 in
Bore/stroke ratio	1.24
Valve gear	overhead valve (OHV) 2 valves per cylinder 8 valves in total
maximum power output (DIN)	44.6 PS (44 bhp) (32.8 kW) at 3800 rpm
maximum torque (DIN)	98 Nm (72 ft·lb) (10 kgm) at 2000 rpm
Specific output (DIN)	20.7 kW/litre 28.2 ps/litre 27.8 bhp/litre 0.46 bhp/cu in
Specific torque (DIN)	61.87 Nm/litre 0.75 ft·lb/cu³
Engine construction
Lubrication
compression ratio	6.6:1
Fuel system	1 So carb
bmep (brake mean effective pressure)	777.5 kPa (112.8 psi)
Maximum RPM
crankshaft bearings	4
Engine coolant	Air
Unitary capacity	396 cc
Aspiration	Normal
Compressor	N/A
Intercooler	None
Catalytic converter	N
performance
Acceleration 0-80km/h (50mph)	16 s
Acceleration 0-60mph
Acceleration 0-100km/h
Acceleration 0-160km/h (100mph)
Standing quarter-mile
Standing kilometre
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Power-to-weight ratio	Higher is better 49.57 PS/tonne (1000 kg) 0.05 PS/kg 36.46 kW/tonne (1000 kg) 0.04 kW/kg 48.89 bhp/tonne (1000 kg) 0.05 bhp/kg 0.02 bhp/lb
Weight-to-power ratio	Lower is better 27.43 kg/kW 45.82 lb/bhp
fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
universal fuel consumption (calculated from the above)
litres/100km
km/litre
UK MPG
US MPG
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carfolio Calculated CO₂ ^?
VED band (UK)
CO₂ Effizienz (DE)
chassis
Engine position	rear
Engine layout	longitudinal
Drive wheels	rear wheel drive
Torque split	N/A
Steering
turns lock-to-lock	2.600
Turning circle	11.20 m
Front suspension	I.SwTA.RS.
Rear suspension	I.SwSemiAx.TA.TB.
Wheel size front
Wheel size rear
Tyres front
Tyres rear
Brakes F/R	Dr/Dr
Front brake diameter
Rear brake diameter
Braked area
Gearbox	4 speed manual
Top gear ratio	0.89
Final drive ratio	4.13
general
Carfolio.com ID	39358
Production total
Model code
RAC rating	18.1
Insurance classification	No information available
Tax band	No information available
1972 Volkswagen 181 added before December 1995. Last modified 2013-02-28.