It looks like our old Komrades from Germany are resurrecting the cult icon of the communist era. The Trabant, in its heyday, was the automotive darling of East Germany and will be remembered for its quirky styling, practicality, and underpowered two-stroke engine that smoked like a chimney. With its founding company, VEB Sachsenring, out of business, the Trabant name has been revived and the car has been restyled for the modern era, retaining much of what made it special in the 50s and 60s, but losing the problematic two-stroke. Instead, the new Mini-esque vehicle will be powered by a clever electric motor that promises to alleviate any concerns by those in the green corner. The 45kW asynchronous motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery and is estimated to have a 100 mile range and hit a top speed of 80mph. As mentioned, the design seems to be very similar to that of the Mini Cooper, yet design cues from older vehicles (like the rounded point at the end of the hood) draw inspiration from postwar American cars. Currently, two German companies are attempting to gather investors to get the project off the ground; with the Trabant’s history, clever styling, and green power, we wish them the best in their endeavor, as it would be great to see them back on the road.
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Source: Below The Clouds
