Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Trabant P 601 Universal 0.6 (26 Hp)
Overall Rating
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)
Universal Overview:
Trabant P 601 (Universal). With 53 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 650 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 100 km/h. A car with an extended rear cargo area, combining passenger comfort with increased storage. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
0.6 (26 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Extremely modest performance, primarily suited for urban driving and leisurely rural journeys. Acceleration is minimal, and highway speeds are a challenge with a top speed of 100 km/h.
Fuel Economy
As a two-stroke engine, fuel economy is poor, and it requires a specific fuel-oil mixture, leading to higher running costs and emissions compared to four-stroke counterparts.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic and unique design
- • Lightweight and maneuverable
- • Simple, easy to repair mechanics
- • Spacious for its class (Universal model)
- • Low initial purchase cost (historically)
Cons:
- • Extremely low power and acceleration
- • Poor fuel economy (two-stroke)
- • High emissions and noisy engine
- • Very basic safety features
- • Uncomfortable ride and spartan interior
- • Requires specific fuel-oil mixture
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(P 601: 1970 - 1990).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Trabant |
| Model: | P 601 |
| Generation: | Universal |
| Modification (Engine): | 0.6 (26 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1978 |
| End of production: | 1990 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Station wagon (estate) |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 26 Hp @ 4200 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 43.8 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 53 Nm |
| Engine displacement: | 594 |
| Number of cylinders: | 2 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 72 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 73 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7.6:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Mixture of two stroke engine |
| Maximum speed: | 100 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 25 kg/Hp, 40 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 12.3 kg/Nm, 81.5 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 650 |
| Max. weight: | 1040 |
| Max load: | 390 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 1400 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 450 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 26 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3560 mm mm [50mm more] |
| Width: | 1510 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1437 mm mm [3mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2020 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1206 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1255 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Tires size | 145/80 SR13 |
| Wheel rims size | 4JX13H-45 |
Is it love at first sight with the Trabant P 601? Tell us your story!