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Volkswagen

Brasília

1973 - 1976

The Volkswagen Brasília is a rear-engine compact car developed by Volkswagen do Brasil, produced from 1973 to 1982. Designed to replace the Beetle in the Brazilian market, it stands out with its innovative design and spacious interior. Available in three-door and five-door versions, the Brasília was exported to several countries, including Mexico and Nigeria, where it was marketed as the Igala. (en.wikipedia.org)

Variants by year

2 versions

1976

B
C
1976
Brasília Hatch

1973

B
R
1973
Brasília Hatch

Model summary

Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.

2referenced versions
1973 - 1976covered years
0published scans
0contributing members
—latest photo
Commondominant rarity

Model introduction

The Volkswagen Brasília is a rear-engine compact car developed by Volkswagen do Brasil, produced from 1973 to 1982. Designed to replace the Beetle in the Brazilian market, it stands out with its innovative design and spacious interior. Available in three-door and five-door versions, the Brasília was exported to several countries, including Mexico and Nigeria, where it was marketed as the Igala. (en.wikipedia.org)

History

In September 1970, Volkswagen do Brasil's president, Rudolf Leiding, challenged the company's designers to recreate the Beetle with the Brazilian market in mind. After three months of development, over 40 prototypes were created. Production of the Brasília began in 1973 with a three-door version, followed by a five-door version in 1976. Total production exceeded one million units, including exports to Chile, Portugal, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, the Philippines, and, starting in March 1976, CKD kits of the five-door version to Nigeria, where it was renamed Igala. (en.wikipedia.org)

Generations

The Volkswagen Brasília was produced in a single generation from 1973 to 1982. During its production, it underwent several notable developments: - **1973**: Launch of the three-door version. - **1976**: Introduction of the five-door version, meeting market demand. - **1977**: Safety enhancements, including the addition of dual-circuit brakes and a collapsible steering column. - **1978**: Restyling of the model with a redesigned hood and wider bumpers. - **1979**: Launch of the high-end LS version, offering additional features such as headrests and a rear window defroster. These developments helped maintain the Brasília's competitiveness in the Brazilian market and meet consumer expectations. (coffeemotors.com.br)

Key differences

The Volkswagen Brasília underwent several technical and aesthetic changes during its production: - **1974**: Introduction of a "canoe"-type steering wheel. - **1975**: Aesthetic improvements, including a new exhaust grille and red rear turn signals. - **1976**: Launch of the four-door version for export. - **1977**: Reinforcement of the chassis and improvement of the braking system. - **1978**: Visual restyling with a redesigned hood and wider bumpers. These modifications allowed the Brasília to remain competitive and meet consumer expectations over the years. (coffeemotors.com.br)

Photo recognition

To identify a Volkswagen Brasília, look for the following features: - **Body**: Three or five-door hatchback with a large glazed area. - **Dimensions**: Length of approximately 4.015 meters, width of 1.605 meters, and height of 1.43 meters. - **Design**: Straight and clean lines, inspired by German design of the time. - **Engine**: 1.6 L air-cooled flat engine, mounted at the rear. These distinctive elements make it easy to recognize the Brasília among other models of the era. (en.wikipedia.org)

Important versions

Notable versions of the Volkswagen Brasília include: - **1976 Version**: Introduction of the five-door version, meeting market demand. - **1977 Version**: Safety enhancements, including the addition of dual-circuit brakes and a collapsible steering column. - **1979 Version**: Launch of the high-end LS version, offering additional features such as headrests and a rear window defroster. These versions marked significant milestones in the model's evolution and contributed to its continued success. (coffeemotors.com.br)

References

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Volkswagen Brasília produced?
ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1973 - 1976.