The Tatra 613 was a large luxury rear-wheel-drive car with a rear-mounted air-cooled engine, manufactured by Tatra from 1974 until 1996 as the replacement for the Tatra 603 series. It had an all-new body styled by Vignale of Italy in 1968 and a double-overhead-camshaft 3.5-litre V8, and its design was updated five times before the Tatra 700 took over.
Tatra 613 at a glance
| Maker | Tatra, Kopřivnice, Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| Production | 1974–1996 |
| Predecessor | Tatra 603 |
| Successor | Tatra 700 |
| Body | styled by Vignale, Italy, 1968 |
| Engine | air-cooled 3,495 cc V8, DOHC, four camshafts |
| Bore and stroke | 85 x 77 mm |
| Power | 168 PS, 200 PS with injection |
| Torque | 270 N·m, 300 N·m with injection |
| Top speed | 190 km/h, 230 km/h with injection |
| 0–100 km/h | 11.4 s (carburetted 613-4) |
| Users | government officials, industry executives, police, fire and rescue |
History of the Tatra 613
A new body from Italy
The Tatra 613 replaced the Tatra 603 in 1974. Its all-new body had been styled by Vignale of Italy back in 1968, and under it sat a double-overhead-camshaft air-cooled 3.5-litre V8 with four camshafts in all, a bore of 85 mm and a stroke of 77 mm. In carburetted form it produced 168 PS and gave a top speed of 190 km/h; later fuel-injection versions reached 200 PS and 230 km/h. The 613 was mostly used by government officials and industry executives, and in limited numbers as a police car and as a rapid-response fire and rescue vehicle at motorsport events.
Versions
The first series, built from 1974 to 1980, accounted for 4,581 cars. The 613-2 of 1980–1984 brought changes to automotive parts and fuel economy, with 1,045 built. The 613-3 of 1985–1991 was the first facelift, by V. Výborný, and 903 were made. From 1991 to 1993 came the 613 RTP and RZP ambulance versions. The 613-4 and 613-4 Long of 1991–1996 were the second facelift and the first injection version, with 191 cars. The 613-5 of 1993–1994 remained at four prototypes, a fuel-injected, westernised car contracted out to the former Jaguar development engineer Tim Bishop from England.
The luxury 613-4 Mi and 613-4 Mi Long were built from 1993 to 1996 in 109 examples plus several dozen long versions, and the 613-4 Mi Long MODEL 95 with the third facelift followed in 1995–1996 in several dozen cars. The design was updated five times in all until the model was replaced by the Tatra 700 in 1996, itself a restyled 613-5.
Design and features
- Vignale body: Italian styling on a large Czechoslovak saloon.
- DOHC air-cooled V8: four camshafts and 3.5 litres behind the rear axle.
- Injection option: 200 PS and 230 km/h in later versions.
- Official role: transport for officials, police and motorsport rescue teams.
Tatra 613 versions
- 613 (1974–1980): first series, 4,581 built.
- 613-2 (1980–1984): revised parts and fuel economy, 1,045 built.
- 613-3 (1985–1991): first facelift, 903 built.
- 613-4 and 613-4 Long (1991–1996): second facelift and first injection, 191 built.
- 613-5 (1993–1994): four prototypes, the basis of the Tatra 700.
- 613-4 Mi and Mi Long: luxury versions, 109 built plus long cars.
The 613 replaced the Tatra 603 and was replaced by the Tatra 700. Its racing ancestor was the Tatra 607, and more cars are in the Tatra collection.
Video: Tatra 613 V8
Video by Zentraldenker on YouTube.
Sources
- Tatra 613, English Wikipedia: design, engine, versions, production
