Trabant 600 P60

Production period:	1962 to 1964
Class:	Motor car
Body versions:	Saloon, station wagon, panel van
Engines:	Gasoline: 594.50 cc air-cooled
Drive	Front wheel drive
Length:	Saloon 132.2 in wagon 133.86 in
Width:	58.71 in,1490 mm
Height:	55.55 in, 1410 mm
Wheelbase:	79.59 in. 2020 mm
Ground clearance:	5.9 in, 150 mm
Curb weight:	620-660 kg

Trabant 600 was the sales name of the second version of the Trabant from the 1960s as the P 60 . 

History

The P 60 represented a further development of the Trabant P 50, which essentially had the 595-cc engine and an increase in output to 23 hp (17 kW).The car with the internal type designation P 60 was built from 1962 to 1964, Kombi and van up to 1965.The Trabant 600 was built in the VEB Sachsenring automobile factory in Zwickau. The two-cylinder 2-stroke engine was produced at the Barkas factory. The transmision was retained, so that the increase in strength benefited above all the acceleration. From 0 to 80 km / h, instead of the previous 30.1 s, only 24 seconds were needed. Its torque of 51 Nm was even on the level of the BMW 700. 

PERFORMANCE:

• Engine Capacity 36.36 cu in, 594.50 cu cm
• Fuel Consumption 41.5 m/imp gal, 34.6 m US gal
• Max Speed 62.1 mph, 100 km/h
• max power (DIN): 23 hp at 3800 rpm
• max torque (DIN): 38 1b ft, 5.2 kgm at 2700 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 4000
• specific power: 38.7 hp/l
• max speed in 1st gear: 14.9 mph 24 km/h
• max speed in 2nd gear: 26.7 mph, 43 km/h
• max speed in 3rd gear: 41 mph, 66 km/h
• max speed in 4th gear: 62.1 mph, 100 km/h
• power-weight ratio: 61.3 lb/hp, 27.8 kg/hp
• useful load: 750 1b, 350 kg.

The weaknesses of the engine, such as the enormous, high-frequency noise level at high speeds, as well as the inherent disadvantages of the two-stroke engine remained unchanged. The crankshaft has been a problem child since the beginning and was reworked with the introduction of the P 60 to ensure a satisfactory level of stability with the increased engine power. When the P-60 engine started production, it was revealed that the difficulties of the composite casting had still not been overcome - initially the reject rate for this step was more than 60%. Such defects in engine construction were one of the reasons that the Trabant did not reach the quality mark. 

The Duroplast body on a steel skeleton did not change anything compared to the P 50, so the Trabant 600 can only be distinguished externally from its predecessor by the 600 at the rear and a modified colour and trim combination.The car has very direct steering and the good road holding, but with uncomfortable suspension properties. Thanks to greater power reserves, especially in the lower rev range, could be switched up earlier, and the noise is therefore less strong. 

In addition to the standard colour limousine painted in monochrome, there was a "special request" trims with coloured decorative trim, a sun visor, which was placed on the outside of the windshield, and chrome parts on the bumpers. Available was like its predecessor, type a combi version with side-opening tailgate and a so-called Kombi Camping with reclining seats and folding sunroof. To a lesser extent, a van variant was produced. Optionally, a trailer hitch for trailer loads up to 200 kg could be purchased. Likewise, as with the station wagon, a roof rack (50 kg roof load) was optionally available. In 1964, the successor of the P 60, the Trabant 601, was taken into series production.