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Nothelle 210 Gladius Review

September 2005
Filed under: NOTHELLE Car News | NOTHELLE Headlines


Gaudium per vim et agilitatem – Pleasure through strength and agility .


The name

Gladius: a short Roman sword, sharpened on both sides. Hardly any other object is linked in the same way with the history of Ancient Rome as the short sword carried by Roman gladiators and legionaries. In Roman history it stands for the transition from the soldier to the lone individual fighter. In Rome's arenas it was the weapon of the agile Secutor, who traditionally faced the heavily armed Retarius.

The concept


nothelle, the vehicle tuning company, created the 210 Gladius on the basis of the Audi A3 2.0 TDI.

The men who carried the gladius sword were fighters known for their speed and agility. The same characteristics also apply to the nothelle 210 Gladius. With it a combatant enters the arena to challenge the momentum of the masses and to champion the return of individuality and emotion.

The nothelle 210 Gladius combines four things:


- A mighty 465 Nm of torque, offering power and forward thrust from any engine speed, delivering limitless driving pleasure.

- The joy derived from the sort of agility and manoeuvrability that turns a mere compact car into a masterful Secutor of the winding road.

- A visual image of functional elegance and dynamic sportiness.

- State-of-the-art technology, making the 210 Gladius extremely frugal at the filling station, which is entirely unusual for a supremely sporty vehicle of this class. This unique combination of power, liveliness, impressive design and economy delivers a driving experience that will have you gasping!

The manufacturer

Duisburg 's nothelle vehicle tuning manufacture combines categories that are rarely considered mutually compatible in car manufacturing: uncompromising sportiness with tasteful elegance, captivating driving pleasure with everyday functionality.

Specialising in vehicles bearing the Audi and Volkswagen badges, nothelle has 37 years of tradition and a worldwide reputation. From engine-building and suspension optimisation through to interior upgrades. Using all this accumulated expertise, nothelle is now reconfiguring the Audi A3 2.0 TDI to turn it into a vehicle that matches its own philosophy. The diesel is going up in the world – providing the power for a nothelle.

A driving experience in factual detail

Currently the most powerful diesel in its category:

- 154 kW (210 bhp) and 465 Nm of torque, providing a broad engine speed range that is untypical of a diesel.
- Top speed: 227 km/h {141 mph]
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h [0-62 mph] in 8.1 seconds
- Flexibility figures that are otherwise only available in a sports car.

Equipment features

Technical configuration of the nothelle engine:
High-performance turbocharger with increased air output, improved air ducts (on the inlet and outlet sides of the turbo), specially modified engine management.

Making a powerful impression:

The Audi A3-specific nothelle aerodynamics concept, consisting of extended wheel arches, front spoiler, side sills, rear skirt and rear spoiler.

Maintaining contact with the road surface:

nothelle Novedra VII RS 8.5 x 19" alloy wheels for improved traction, and to transfer the tremendous forces safely to the road surface. Increased mechanical grip provided by Kumho Ecsta MX KU15 tyres. A thoroughbred sports tyre. Designed as a tyre approaching motor racing specifications, its special rubber compound enables extremely high cornering speeds with maximum grip.

Safe deceleration guaranteed in every situation.

nothelle high-performance brakes using 4-piston technology, with 342 x 34 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs. Virtually no fading, even under continuous load.

Tangible agility:

nothelle Performance complete suspension system, infinitely height-adjustable. Outstanding agility, delivering sportily dynamic handling characteristics on all roads.

Turning performance into sound:

nothelle sports exhaust system, stainless steel, exhaust flow optimised in terms of backpressure and temperature.

Making your vehicle unmistakeable:


nothelle two-tone leather trim and upholstery. Seat centre sections in Carnella, with the typical nothelle trademark of red twisted yarn on one of leather seams, seat side sections in Alcantara to provide ergonomic enhancement, along with sporty aluminium trim details.

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