Trabant could return at Frankfurt

The original Trabant was built by VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau between 1957 and 1991, and was powered by a 500cc two cylinder two-stroke engine. It was well-known for its numerous bodystyles, highly erratic levels of quality and poor design which was a reflection of state controlled centralized planning.

Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, which has been making 1/87 scale models of the car since 1990, has recently bought out the rights to the Trabant name, and are planning to make an electric car out of it.

Herpa is working with IndiKar, a manufacturer based in Saxony in the southeast of Germany, on an electric "new Trabant", and is looking for investors. The car will be equipped with a rooftop solar panel and will weigh less than 1000kg. Herpa claims that the electric Trabant will have a range of 252km. Development of the drivetrain has been sub-contracted to IAV Automotive Engineering of Berlin.

The Trabant was immensely popular in its day, and a return would certainly gain much support. A full-sized prototype is being assembled for a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.