View source for Trabant 601

{{Short description|Third production series model produced by Trabant (1964-1990)}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Trabant 601
| image = AWZ Trabant 601S, Verkehrszentrum des Deutschen Museums.JPG
| caption = Trabant 601, original condition (1990)
| manufacturer = [[VEB Sachsenring]]
| production = 1964–1990<br />2,818,547 built
| assembly = East Germany: [[Zwickau]]
| class = [[Subcompact car|Subcompact]] ([[B-segment|B]])
| body_style = 2-door saloon ("Limousine")<br>3-door estate ("Universal")<br>Doorless ATV ("Tramp"/"Kübel")
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|FF layout]]
| platform = Trabant P601
| engine = 594&nbsp;cc ''P60-P66'' [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] [[Straight-twin engine|I2]]
| transmission = 4-speed manual<br> 4-speed ''[[Saxomat|Hycomat]]'' [[Semi-automatic transmission|semi-automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2020|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3555|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1505|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1440|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|615|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor = [[Trabant 600]]
| successor = [[Trabant 1.1]]
| sp = us
}}

The '''Trabant 601''' (or '''Trabant P601''' series) is a [[Trabant]] model produced by [[VEB Sachsenring]] in [[Zwickau]], [[Sachsen|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]].

==Overview==
[[File:Trabant 601 S de Luxe from 1986 original condition I.jpg|thumb|A 1986 Trabant 601 S De Luxe.]]
In hindsight, the Trabant 601 can be considered East Germany's answer to [[West Germany]]'s "People's Car", the [[VW Beetle]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trabant.ca/ |title=The Trabant was East Germany's answer to the peoples car as the Volkswagen Beetle was to West Germany |access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shocauto.com/Trabant/index.htm |title=It's the VW Beetle of Eastern Europe |access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref> 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|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 engine|two-stroke]] based on a pre-war [[DKW]]. It was competitive when launched, but from the late 1950s into the 1960s, small [[economy car]]s in [[Western world|Western]] countries that used two-stroke engines were replaced with cleaner and more efficient [[four-stroke engine]]s, 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. Throughout the years the Trabant received minor visual and technical updates, such as front and rear bumpers with plastic ends, electronic ignition and a 12-volt electrical system, all in an attempt to modernise the line-up, but due to a lack of development funds in East Germany the upgrades were few and far between. The vehicle became outdated towards the end of the 1960s and it was fully obsolete by the 1980s. After the revolution in 1989, a deal was struck with Volkswagen to use one of their 1.1-litre, four-stroke engines in an attempt to modernise the car. However, the influx of cheaper, more modern cars from the West proved to be too great of a challenge, leading to the factory shutting down in early 1991.

==History==
The Trabant 601 was a modern automobile when introduced in 1963, with 150 [[Pre-production car|pre-production examples]]. The body was modified from the previous [[Trabant P 50|P50]]/P60 variants of the Trabant, with a heavy emphasis on the front and roof area. The back of the car was also modified with different taillights and a higher trunk loading height as compared to previous models. Overall, the design was praised, particularly on the then-modern double trapezoid design. Originally, production was only planned to run from 1967 to 1971, but instead continued until 1990. The original P&nbsp;60 engine was only {{cvt|23|PS|kW|1}}. In 1969 the new P62 version was offered with a {{cvt|26|PS|kW|1}} engine. In 1974, a [[needle roller bearing]] was added to the [[connecting rod]], allowing for a 50/1 lubricant to be used. Through the addition of a two-stage [[carburetor]] in 1984, the fuel consumption was brought down by 1/100 L/km. With these additions, the top speed was measured to be 107&nbsp;km/h.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1984 |title=Trabant 601 |journal=Der Deutsche Straßenverkehr |language=de |volume=12}}</ref> Even with these improvements, the fuel consumption could still rise rapidly with extended acceleration or when towing a trailer. The P601 also had an [[Freewheel|overrunning clutch]] when running in fourth gear.

Over the course of decades, the design of the Trabant changed little. This caused the increasingly obsolete Trabant's reputation to worsen as time progressed. However, this had little effect on the sales figures&nbsp;— wait times of 10 years or longer for a new car were not uncommon. The price for a new Trabant in 1985 was 8,500 [[East German mark|Mark]] for the 601 Standard, and 9,700 Mark for the most expensive model, the 601 Universal S de Luxe.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Preis im Januar 1985 (inkl. ein Jahr Haftpflichtversicherung)|journal=Fluter|volume=30|page=21}}</ref> Available options at this time included a shelf under the instrument panel and [[Windscreen wiper#Intermittent wipers|intermittent windshield wipers]]. With change to 12 V in 1984, options as [[Automotive lighting#Hazard flashers|hazard flashers]] and rear window heater became available.

New models were considered with the P602, P603, and P610 being planned in Zwickau. Among other improvements researched were larger motors and also [[wankel engine]]s. All improvements however were blocked by the [[East Germany|East German]] (DDR) government, which considered them unnecessary and feared the extra costs.

When a successor, the [[Trabant 1.1]], was eventually developed, it received minimal external differences. The only exterior changes were a new radiator grille, bumpers, taillights, a more square bonnet, and the movement of the fuel cap to the rear right of the car. The interior was subject to many changes.

==Variants==
[[File:2012-08 Kleinkuebelwagen P 601 A anagoria.JPG|thumb|A P 601 A Kübel of the [[Air Forces of the National People's Army|LSK]] on display at the [[Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow|Luftwaffenmuseum Berlin-Gatow]].]]
[[File:Trabant 601 Tramp.jpg|thumb|A Trabant 601 Tramp.]]
[[File:Trabant 601 Universal 1970.jpg|thumb|A 1970 Trabant 601 DeLuxe Universal.]] 
* Trabant 601 Standard (as Limousine & Universal).
* Trabant 601 S (Sonderwunsch - Special Edition): with optional equipment such as fog lamps, rear white light, and an odometer (as Limousine & Universal).
* Trabant 601 DeLuxe: like the 601 S and additional twin-tone colouring and chrome bumper (as Limousine & Universal).
* Trabant 601 Kübel (added in 1966): Jeep version with no doors, folding roof, auxiliary heating system, the ignition system is shielded against [[electromagnetic interference]].
* Trabant 601 Tramp (added in 1978): the civilian version of the Trabant Kübel, mainly exported to [[Greece]].
* Trabant 601 Hycomat (P601 H): 1965–1990, in limited numbers (as Limousine & Universal). Made only for users with missing or dysfunctional left leg. It had included an [[Semi-automatic transmission|automatic clutching system]].
* Trabant 800 RS: Rally version (1986–1988) with 771&nbsp;cc engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

== Technical data ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! Trabant 601 saloon !! Trabant 601 Universal
|-
| Engine: || colspan="2"|Two cylinder two stroke otto engine type P65/66
|-
| Displacement: || colspan="2"|{{convert|594.5|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}}
|-
| Bore × Stroke: || colspan="2"|72&nbsp;mm × 73&nbsp;mm
|-
| Rated power: || colspan="2"|19.1&nbsp;kW at 4200&nbsp;rpm
|-
| Torque: || colspan="2"|54&nbsp;N·m at 3000&nbsp;rpm
|-
| Compression ratio: || colspan="2"|7.8 <small>± 2</small> : 1
|-
| Cooling system: || colspan="2"|Air-cooled
|-
| Clutch: || colspan="2"|Single disk dry clutch
|-
| Gearbox: || colspan="2"|Four-speed gearbox<br />1st gear: 4.08<br />2nd gear: 2.32<br />3rd gear: 1.52<br />4th gear: 1.103<br />Reverse gear: 3.83
Final drive: 4.33
|-
| Fuel type: || colspan="2"|"Regular" gasoline 88 RON
|-
| Oil type: || colspan="2"| Two stroke engine oil MZ-22
|-
| Fuel-oil-ratio: || colspan="2"|1 : 50
|-
| Weight: || 615&nbsp;kg || 650&nbsp;kg
|-
| Dimensions L × W × H: || 3555&nbsp;mm × 1505&nbsp;mm × 1440&nbsp;mm || 3560&nbsp;mm × 1510&nbsp;mm × 1440&nbsp;mm
|-
| Top speed: || colspan="2"|100&nbsp;km/h (62&nbsp;mph)
|-
| Source: || colspan="2"|<ref name="Handbuch">{{citation|editor-last1=Sachsenring|url=http://trabantclub.ch/PDF/Trabant_P601_Bedienungsanleitung.pdf|title=Betriebsanleitung für den Personenkraftwagen Trabant 601|publisher=[[Fachbuchverlag Leipzig]]|location=Leipzig|pages=62–66|language=de}}</ref>
|}

==Export countries==
===Eastern Europe===
* {{Flag|Soviet Union}}{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
* {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}
* {{Flag|Poland}}
* {{Flag|Hungary}}
* {{Flag|Romania}}
* {{Flag|Bulgaria}}
* {{Flag|Yugoslavia}}

===Western Europe===
* {{Flag|Belgium}}
* {{Flag|Denmark}}
* {{Flag|Finland}}
* {{Flag|France}}
* {{Flag|West Germany}}
* {{Flag|Greece}}
* {{Flag|Iceland}}
* {{Flag|Ireland}}
* {{Flag|Netherlands}}
* {{Flag|Norway}}
* {{Flag|Switzerland}}
* {{Flag|Spain}}
* {{Flag|United Kingdom}}

==The 601 today==
[[File:Trabant in Chemnitz, 14.04.2019.png|thumb|A Trabant 601 S in daily use in Chemnitz in 2019.]]
[[File:Trabant 601 L at the Szocialista Jáműipar Gyöngyszemei 2008.jpg|thumb|A Trabant 601 modified into a stretch [[limousine]].]]
[[File:At Berlin 2024 375.jpg|thumb|right|Trabant 601s being used for tours in Berlin]]
Many former DDR citizens have mixed emotions toward their "Trabi". It is very loud and uncomfortable, and still a symbol for the demised DDR,<ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z3s7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 |last=Rodden |first = John |title = Repainting the Little Red Schoolhouse: A History of Eastern German Education, 1945-1995 |publisher = Oxford University Press |date = 2002 |isbn = 9780195112443 |page = 176}}</ref> as it was a part of the system.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1093/hwj/dbp016 |title=The Trabant: Consumption, Eigen-Sinn, and Movement (Abstract) |first = Eli |last = Rubin |journal = History Workshop Journal |volume = 68 |issue = 1, Autumn 2009 |date = 18 September 2009 |page = 27}}</ref> However, the Trabant was a robust, functional and repair-friendly car, so many people developed a strong relationship to their Trabant. Further, the Trabant never was a symbol of [[Nomenklatura|Communist bureaucrats]] (who tended to own a [[Lada]], [[Polski Fiat]] or [[GAZ Volga|Volga]]). Finally, the Trabant also is a symbol for breaking through the wall in 1989.

In recent years, the car has become collectors' items, with growing popularity. Green Trabants are especially popular, as they are rumoured to bring good luck to their owners.{{fact|date=June 2024}} Many Trabant owners' clubs exist throughout Europe and 601s have their fans all over the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.team.net/www/ktud/trabi.html |title=Trabant [~en, ~en] 1. jackman 2. servant, companion | work = KTUD Archive | first = Pal | last = Negyesi | date = 2004-12-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501062836/http://www.team.net/www/ktud/trabi.html |archive-date=1 May 2011}}</ref> Also, many Trabant 601s are still used as rally racing cars.

As a symbol of a bygone era, it has inspired movies such as ''[[Go Trabi Go]]'' which presented the Trabant as a kind of East German character and could make former DDR citizens laugh "not precisely at themselves, but at the absurdities of the system under which they lived until last year", symbolised by the three main aspects of the Trabant: slow, breaks down frequently and often ridiculed by Western society.<ref name="nyt1">{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/07/world/chemnitz-journal-that-good-for-nothing-car-is-good-for-a-laugh.html?pagewanted=all |title=Chemnitz Journal; That Good-for-Nothing Car Is Good for a Laugh |last=Kinzer |first=Stephan |date=7 March 1991 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=3 November 2009}}</ref> It has also seduced people including the US actor [[David Hasselhoff]] to drive a Trabant, although he had trouble getting into it.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.etrabant.com/ |title=It is really funny how he barely could fit inside |access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref> Later he admitted he is a fan of the Trabant.<ref>{{citation |first= Vanessa |last= Reiber |url= https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/david-hasselhoff-admits-hes-a-fan-of-the-trabant-35498860 |title= David Hasselhoff admits he's a fan of the Trabant |work= [[Independent News & Media]] |date= 28 October 2019}}</ref> [[Stephen Kinzer]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' likens the Trabant as a symbol for the people who built it, who "survive[d] through difficult times and ultimately triumph[ed]."<ref name="nyt1" /> The car was also featured in the US film ''[[Everything Is Illuminated (film)|Everything Is Illuminated]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404030/combined|title=Trabant 601 Trombi/Estate featured in Everything is Illuminated |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date=22 October 2010}}</ref>

The Trabant 601 is the subject of ''[[Jalopy (video game)|Jalopy]]'', a 2016 roadtrip [[video game]]. Set in June 1990 [[East Germany]], during the early months of [[German reunification]], the player is tasked to maintain a fictionalized version of the Trabant 601, the ''Laika 601'', and use it to drive the player character's uncle to [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]], via [[Eastern Europe|Eastern]] and [[Southeast Europe|Southeastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://store.steampowered.com/app/446020/ |title=Jalopy |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

The Trabant 601 makes an appearance in ''[[Half Life 2]]'' as wreckage across City 17 and the surrounding area. The model is based on the Trabant 601 Universal. There are two game models, one where the vehicle is heavily damaged and one where the vehicle is abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.lambdageneration.com/half-life/post/eedlbpbk|title=𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗦: Half-Life 2|last=Bruner|date=February 23, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2024|website=LambdaGeneration.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Trabant 601}}
*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x23w2b_trabant-601-ddr-commercial_auto Original DDR commercial for the Trabant]
*[http://totalcarmagazine.com/features/2014/02/18/how_trabants_and_wartburgs_were_made/ Video: How Trabants were made]
*[http://www.micromaniacsclub.co.uk "A club that welcomes owners and drivers of these vehicles"]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW2tv0Js3-I Trabant 601 S de Luxe Exterior and Interior in Full 3D HD]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sachsenring vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1963]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:1990s cars]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in East Germany]]
[[Category:1990 disestablishments in East Germany]]
[[Category:Cars of Germany]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1990]]
[[Category:Saloons]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Vans]]