It is always a special pleasure for the editors when a newly developed vehicle can be presented to our many interested readers. This time it is a dignified and modern car in its design and interior. The designers gave it the obligatory name "Wartburg", its type number is 311. However, the name "Wartburg" should be memorized from the start so that we can get away from such ice-cold designations such as "P70" and so on.
The "Wartburg" is a child of the EMW works in Eisenach. In the past year, EMW has become an international concept well beyond Germany's borders. That is also the reason why many readers do not understand (and frankly, neither do we) that the name EMW was exchanged without a hitch for the name AWE (Autowerk Eisenach).
The AWE-Wartburg has still not far outgrown its development stage but there are a number of vehicles on the roads (we report on the participation of these vehicles in the Wartburg Rallye elsewhere in this magazine). According to the information available, we will have to wait another half year for full series production. Therefore, it is not possible to publish a proper test report. However, we would like to familiarize you with the most important facts.
The car is a successful new development based on the F9, thanks to improvements in technical features and a shapely change of the external shape. The new pontoon body presents itself as elegantly solid, streamlined and shapely. A simple chrome band shields the cooling air intake at the front, from where the cooling air flow is directed through a wide, funnel-shaped opening into the engine compartment. The large engine compartment allows for handy access. The front part of the body extends remarkably far below the engine room. The extended fenders accommodate the large headlights, including red flashing lights. The rear pair of fenders is interchangeable and protrudes laterally and backwards over the body. A combined three-part tail, stop and flashing light is mounted on the fender outlet. A non-continuous chrome bumper is attached at the front and rear.
The sedan will only be delivered with four doors, providing convenient entry to the front and rear seats. The front fender runs slightly into the front door. The contours of the rear fenders, which are drawn low, are more striking. They are protected against stone chips and dirt by an aluminium cover. All doors are opened to the front. The door handle is not of the older, cheaper kind, but are nicer in form, as well as functionality. The curved windshield, large, curved rear window and wide side windows offer a good view from all sides and from every seat. Swing-out rear side windows improve ventilation.
Individual front seats are mounted separately because of the handbrake arrangement, and each is adjustable.
There is a clear arrangement of instruments in the driver's field of vision. Speedometer, coolant thermometer and fuel gauge, along with an indicator lamp for the turn signals, high beam indicator light, ignition light. An electric cigar lighter is also provided. There is no clock. The dashboard allows the subsequent installation of a car radio (why isn't it included as standard?). Automatic interior lighting that comes on when the door is opened. Warm-air heating and defrosting system for the windscreen, non-slip two-spoke steering wheel, wide spokes, chrome-plated signal ring, steering wheel gearshift, turn signal activation lever on the steering column on the left.
By conveniently relocating the fuel tank in the rear, a very large luggage compartment was obtained. The boot is accessible from the outside and can be locked from the inside to prevent theft. The spare wheel (lying) and on-board tools are separated from the actual trunk by a floorboard. Petrol filler neck at the rear on the right, above the trunk lid can be locked. The bonnet can be folded up from the front to the rear and is secured and unlocked from the inside. The engine bay and the trunk are illuminated. The vehicle will later also be available as a cabriolet, cabriolet sedan and station wagon.
The basic version of the frame has been taken from the F9 car. 100cm was added to the length. The extended wheelbase and the installation of double-acting telescopic shock absorbers give the 311 better road holding and help to significantly reduce the pitching vibrations that are unpleasantly familiar from the F9. Brakes and steering remained unchanged compared to the F9. The engine does not quite keep up with what the body promises as Eisenach has stayed with the F9 engine. It has been improved in detail and performance has been increased, and yet the horsepower does not come close to the internationally targeted power-to-weight ratio for 0.9-liter cars, which is 22 kg per horsepower.
The synchronization of the 3rd and 4th gear is planned as an innovation in the transmission, which will bring about a significant simplification of the shifting. Front-wheel drive was retained.
Translated from the Der Deutsche Strassen Verkehr January 1956:
https://gdrfahrzeuge.blogspot.com/2023/06/der-deutsche-strassen-verkehr-heft-1_28.html
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