Electric Trabi on way?

14th August 2009

It's regarded as one of the most unreliable cars of all time. But the Trabant is about to make a shock comeback as an electric model!

A German consortium is behind plans to resurrect the car, which was one of the symbols of communist East Germany. Alongside model maker Herpa, which created a ‘new Trabant’ concept in 2007, engineering firms IAV and IndiKar are raising funds to start production.

But as with its forebear, which used a two-stroke engine for most of its 34-year life, the new model takes a no-frills approach – albeit with roof-mounted solar panels for the air-con.

A Herpa spokesman said: “The e-Trabant is ecological and economical.” Despite the original Trabant’s flaws, more than 3 million were sold between 1957 and 1991.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.