Trabant P 601 0.6 (23 Hp)
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Trabant P 601:
The Trabant 601 is a Trabant model produced by VEB Sachsenring in Zwickau, Saxony. It was the third generation of the model, built for the longest production time, from 1964 to 1990. As a result, it is the best-known Trabant model and often referred to simply as the "Trabant" or "Trabi". During this long production run, 2,818,547 Trabant 601 units were produced overall, and it was the most common vehicle in East Germany.
In hindsight, the Trabant 601 can be considered East Germany's answer to West Germany's "People's Car", the VW Beetle. Its purpose was to provide a cheap but still reliable car that was very affordable and also easy to repair and maintain. Still, it was at the time of its release rather modern in many ways, with front-wheel drive combined with transversely mounted motor, a low maintenance engine, unitary construction, rack and pinion steering, composite bodywork, and independent suspension all around. The car body was made of Duroplast. The main letdown was the engine, which was a two-stroke based on a pre-war DKW. It was competitive when launched, but from the late 1950s into the 1960s, small economy cars in Western countries that used two-stroke engines were replaced with cleaner and more efficient four-stroke engines, as employed from the start in the Volkswagen Beetle. Two-stroke engines of this sort, with crankcase scavenging and lubricating oil provided during fuel intake, burn their lubricating oil by design and produce smoky tailpipe emissions. However, two-stroke engines also powered cars such as the West German Auto Union 1000 that ended production in 1965, and the Swedish Saab 96 that only changed to four-stroke in 1967. It was planned to replace the two-stroke-motor with a Wankel engine; however, East Germany failed to develop a practical version of such a motor....(Read more on Wikipedia)
P 601 Overview:
Trabant P 601 (P 601). With 53 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 615 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 100 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
Performance Verdict
With only 23 horsepower, this variant offers even more rudimentary performance than its slightly more powerful sibling, making any form of spirited driving impossible. Best for very short, low-speed trips.
Fuel Economy
Similar to the 26 Hp version, this engine suffers from poor fuel efficiency due to its 2-stroke design and the need for a fuel-oil mixture, contributing to higher emissions and operational costs.
Best Use Case:
Very Short City Trips
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic historical significance and unique character.
- • Extremely lightweight and simple mechanicals.
- • Easy to repair for basic issues (if parts available).
- • Affordable and accessible transportation in its era.
- • Distinctive two-stroke engine sound.
Cons:
- • Very poor performance and slow acceleration.
- • Loud and smoky two-stroke engine.
- • Minimal safety features by modern standards.
- • Basic, uncomfortable interior and ride quality.
- • Duroplast body can be challenging for repairs.
- • Poor fuel economy and high emissions.
Specifications:
| General: |
| Brand: | Trabant |
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| Model: | P 601 |
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| Generation: | P 601 |
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| Modification (Engine): | 0.6 (23 Hp) |
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| Start of production: | 1963 |
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| End of production: | 1970 |
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| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
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| Body type: | Sedan |
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| Seats: | 4 |
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| Doors: | 2 |
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| Engine: |
| Power: | 23 Hp @ 3800 rpm. |
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| Power per litre: | 38.7 Hp/l |
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| Torque: | 53 Nm |
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| Engine displacement: | 594 |
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| Number of cylinders: | 2 |
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| Engine configuration: | Inline |
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| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
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| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
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| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
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| Cylinder Bore: | 72 mm mm |
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| Piston Stroke: | 73 mm mm |
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| Compression ratio: | 7.6:1 |
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| Performance: |
| Fuel Type: | Mixture of two stroke engine |
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| Maximum speed: | 100 km/h |
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| Weight-to-power ratio: | 26.7 kg/Hp, 37.4 Hp/tonne |
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| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 11.6 kg/Nm, 86.2 Nm/tonne |
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| Space: |
| Kerb Weight: | 615 |
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| Max. weight: | 1000 |
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| Max load: | 385 |
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| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 415 l |
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| Fuel tank capacity: | 24 l |
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| Size: |
| Length: | 3510 mm mm |
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| Width: | 1510 mm mm |
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| Height: | 1440 mm mm |
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| Wheelbase: | 2020 mm mm |
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| Front track: | 1206 mm |
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| Rear (Back) track: | 1255 mm |
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| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10 m |
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| Powertrain: |
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
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| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
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| Number of gears | 4 |
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| Transmission type | Manual |
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| Front brakes | Disc |
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| Rear brakes | Drum |
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| Tires size | 145/80 SR13 |
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| Wheel rims size | 4JX13H-45 |
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