Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Volkswagen Brasilia 3-door 1.6 (65 Hp)
Overall Rating
Volkswagen Brasilia:
The Volkswagen Brasília is a rear-engined small family car developed by Volkswagen do Brasil and internally designated as the Type 321. Named for Brazil's capital city, the car was manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in Brazil from 1973 to 1982; in Mexico from 1975 to 1982; and built from knock down kits in Nigeria, where it was marketed as the Igala from 1976 to 1980.
Designed to replace the Beetle , and available in both three-door and five-door hatchback body styles, the Brasília combined VW's air-cooled engine with the chassis of the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and styling reminiscent of the Volkswagen 412. By the end of 1982, over one million examples had been manufactured....(Read more on Wikipedia)
3-door Overview:
Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door). With 115 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 890 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 18 s). The top speed reaches 138 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
As a vehicle from the 1970s, the Volkswagen Brasilia was not subjected to modern safety assessments like Euro NCAP. Its safety features would be rudimentary by today's standards, primarily relying on basic structural integrity and seatbelts.
1.6 (65 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offering 65 Hp, this engine provided adequate performance for its era, suitable for city driving and capable of highway speeds, though acceleration to 100 km/h in 18 seconds is leisurely by modern standards.
Fuel Economy
With a combined fuel consumption of 8.7 l/100 km, this carbureted air-cooled engine delivered average economy for a 1970s vehicle of its size and power output.
Community Verdict
This rating is based on comments found on Reddit, scanned using artificial intelligence, and may not accurately reflect reality.
3.7 / 5
Based on AI analysis of 12 discussions
Read What Owners Say
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Practical hatchback design with good cargo space
- • Spacious interior for its class
- • Robust and simple air-cooled engine (easy to maintain)
- • Good visibility due to large windows
- • Unique and distinctive styling for its time
Cons:
- • Basic safety features (typical for the era)
- • Modest performance, especially the 58 Hp variant
- • Noisy air-cooled engine
- • Dated technology and limited comfort features
- • Rear-wheel drive handling can be tricky in adverse conditions
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Volkswagen |
| Model: | Brasilia |
| Generation: | 3-door |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.6 (65 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1973 |
| End of production: | 1982 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 65 Hp @ 4600 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 41 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 115 Nm @ 3200 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | BA |
| Engine displacement: | 1584 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | 180° flat V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine oil capacity: | 2.5 l |
| Engine layout: | Rear, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 85.5 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 69 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7.2:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 7.3 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 8.7 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 18 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 18 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 138 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 13.7 kg/Hp, 73 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 7.7 kg/Nm, 129.2 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 17.1 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 890 |
| Max. weight: | 1310 |
| Max load: | 420 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 746 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 81 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4013 mm mm |
| Width: | 1606 mm mm |
| Height: | 1438 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2400 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1326 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1361 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 149 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11 m |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Steering type | Worm-reduction unit |
| Wheel rims size | 5J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Transverse stabilizer, Torsion |
| Rear suspension | Independent coil spring, Transverse stabilizer, Torsion |
Driven it? Loved it? Hated it? Share your honest review!