So it is, if one insist stubbornly on this principle. The Volkswagen factory has itself cornered systematically. In the advertising one presents for decades, the rear engine principle with air cooling for decades and now can not deviate from it. This the companynearly will drive to ruin. It's amazing what a car is created despite the steely kept concept. In design and durability it is even superior to some others. 1968 it's the attempt to find a vehicle for the Beetle and Type 3 outgrown VW customers.

Here the form is clearly not following the function but the given rear engine. Granted, it's built relatively flat and it still allows a loading area above, But for the hatchback must be a largest possible front luggage compartment, the front end nose ends relatively high, at the successor even higher. Not exactly good for the air resistance and the design. On the prototype (Figure 4) one may recognize how much trouble they had with the lamps. Also the relatively large front overhang provides the vehicle not just a beauty price.

And how it operates? Except for the background noise and weak heating comfortable, but unfortunately, a bit dull in terms of speed and acceleration. So you can enjoy the legroom back and accept it front in spite of the large front wheel arches. Can you divide the baggage accordingly the two trunks will be enough, particularly with the Variant (station wagon). The highlight is the state of the art suspension for the time, that the car brings normally a neutral driving behaviour accordingly.

In the specialized press VW takes many sticks for this model. The whole competition is quieter and has lower consumption. The suspension will be evaluated quite well despite oversteer tendency, even is praised for the winter operation. However, the relatively high operating costs push the car mercilessly to the last place. From a car with front-wheel drive like the Renault 16 the VW 411 separates worlds, even though the French can not quite compete in the durability and operational safety. 01/09