Trabant EV breaks cover

The tiny Trabant electric car was one of the unsung heroes of the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Tucked away behind the big corporate stands and literally overshadowed by their bright lights, the two-door, four-seater concept vehicle finally made its public debut.

The modern version of the Trabant was shown as a 1:10 scale model at the Frankfurt motor show two years ago. Back then, 12,000 visitors filled in a survey about the car – and 94 per cent said it should be built.

Showing a model of the Trabant ahead of the full size concept was fitting: the full-size project is being undertaken by German model car maker, Herpa.

The company has sold "several hundred thousand" tiny models of the Trabant since 1990 and because the model was so successful it bought the rights to the name and the design. Now it is looking for a business partner to help transform the modern Trabant from a concept to a reality.

Klaus Schindler, the general manager of marketing and sales for Herpa and the man responsible for pushing the Trabant EV project, told the Carsales Network: "At the moment we are looking for a manufacturing or a financial partner. If everything goes well we should have a car on the road in 2011 or 2012."

When asked how likely it was for the car to actually make it into production he said "greater than 50 per cent, for sure".

Schindler wouldn't reveal with which carmakers or financiers the company was in discussion but did say he expected manufacturing to remain in Germany.

"We had a lot of positive reaction this year and also two years ago at the Frankfurt show. In some ways this is like Germany's Mini. A lot of people have an attachment to the Trabant or some fond memories."

If the coupe goes into production, a convertible could follow, he said.

So far, the show car is the only full size prototype of the Trabant EV. And although all the electrical hardware is installed it does not yet run. "But this will happen straight after the show," Schindler said.

The design of the modern Trabant EV is reminiscent of the original Trabant made in East Germany between 1957 and 1989. It wasn't supposed to last longer than 10 years but it continued to sell until emissions regulations eventually killed it off.

The original cars were made with composite panels (made from cotton waste from Russia) which ensured the bodies didn't rust. The new version also has a steel chassis and a modern plastic composite body. It is powered by an electric motor only and has a driving range of 160km.

The company claims the onboard battery pack can be recharged in eight hours from a regular power outlet and two hours using a fast charger. Almost two square metres of solar panel on the roof power the ventilation system as well as support other electrical devices.

No acceleration figures are quoted, but the company claims top speed is 130km/h. The old Trabant was powered by a wheezy two stroke, two cylinder, 600cc engine with 19kW (26hp). It did the 0 to 100 km/h 'dash' in 21 seconds.

There's every chance the EV will be quicker.

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show preview and brand-by-brand summaries. And stay tuned for more Frankfurt show news and first drives in the days to come.

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