DKW F102

DKW F102
Manufacturer Auto Union AG
Production 1963-1966
53,053 produced[1]
Predecessor Auto Union 1000
Successor Audi F103
Body style 2-door saloon
4-door saloon
Layout FF layout
Engine 1175 cc straight-3
two-stroke
Transmission 4-speed manual
all-synchromesh [2]
Wheelbase 2,499 mm (98.4 in)
Length 4,280 mm (169 in)
Width 1,618 mm (63.7 in)
Height 1,449 mm (57.0 in)
Curb weight 910 kg (2,000 lb) -
945 kg (2,080 lb)

The DKW F102 is a car that was produced initially by German manufacturer Auto Union AG and later by Volkswagen AG after Volkswagen acquired the Auto Union brands from Daimler-Benz AG in 1964.

It succeeded the Auto Union 1000 and 1000S models in 1963. It was the last model developed before the Volkswagen take-over, and under their auspices it provided the base for the later Audi F103 models (the "Audi" and later "Audi 72", plus 60, 75, 80, and Super 90).

The F102 featured state-of-the-art two-stroke technology for its time and a unibody of modern design. Nevertheless, the market of the 1960s shunned two-stroke engines as old-fashioned. The F102 in consequence sold below the company's expectations and was the source of huge financial losses. Due to this situation Volkswagen was forced to do a radical cut in 1966. The production of two-stroke-engines was ceased, and the F102 was redesigned to fit a four-cylinder-four-stroke-engine. At this point the name of DKW was abandoned, and the F103 became the first car with an Audi label since World War II.

References

This article incorporates information from the revision as of 2008-02-10 of the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.
  1. ^ "DKW F102". motorbase.com. http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/555/. Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  2. ^ Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. London: Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd. 

External links