The satellite was series of the manufacturer VEB Saxonia ring of automobile works Zwickau GDR. That as economical and durably valid, later however hopelessly satellite becoming outdated due to missing innovations stands initially exemplarily for the ascent and the decay of the GDR economy. Up to the turn applied the possession satellite as status symbol, after 1990 disappeared nevertheless the vehicle however fast from the roads. Today "„the Trabi is considered "“as cult car, which is appreciated in different fan clubs. Between 1957 and 1991 altogether 3.051.385 vehicles became "„the satellite "“- series produce. At the German force travel Federal Office still approximately 67,000 vehicles were registered to 1 January 2005.

Concept

Despite assumption of the old autounion works in Saxonia the construction of vehicles in the GDR of the 1950er advanced years only sluggishly. While in the Federal Republic of the VOLKSWAGEN beetle successes celebrated, one fought in the east with shortness of material and for mass production insufficient manufacturing plants. Since one had the goal at this time in the GDR however still, economically with the west to draw even - to reduce and thus also the massive escape of the East German over the still open border - the 1954 decided a new to give inexpensive and durable small cars in order. As basic data a weight given of max. 600 kg and a consumption of 5,5 l/100 km were. The price should not amount to with an annual production of 12.000 pieces any more than 4,000 Marks. In addition the outer skin from plastic should be manufactured, since deep-drawing stood on the embargo list of the capitalistic countries and therefore in the GDR relatively RSR and expensive was.

Prototype

The research and development center from Karl Marx city still presented the first prototype "„of the P 50 of "“baptized model in the same year. The body was partially manufactured from thermosetting polymer - a plastic from phenolic resin and cotton -. The model was however no success: Since one had no experience with thermosetting polymer still, one needed still much sheet metal for the skin of the car. In addition the back bank offered much too to little place, in order to be able to sell the car as family cars. Thereupon the automobile work AWZ Zwickau took over the further development. One decided to build a transition model under the designation P 70 with the goal of winning new realizations over the thermosetting polymer processing and of revising the plans for the P 50.

P 50 "„satellite "“

Major item: Satellite P50

1957 were finally built with AWZ a preproduction by 50 vehicles. In the same year the Soviet Union started successfully its satellite, still before the USA. The name "„satellite "“was found in the context of an inquiry; it means companions or way companion, just as the Russian word Sputnik. The satellite, which was finally introduced on the Leipziger fair, convinced the public. Were praised the roomy interior, the large window areas as well as the stimmige, to the taste of the time appropriate Design. The 500 cm small secondary act rotary valve engine carried only 13 KW out (18 HP), but this was quite acceptable into the 1950ern for a small car.

In order to attain sufficient capacities for a mass production production of the car, one fused the two works AWZ (before times AUDI) and Saxonia ring (before times Horch) to the VEB Saxonia ring of automobile works Zwickau. Since then swung "„S "“the nose of the satellite zierte.

Starting from 1959 also cars called "„satellite 500 the "“first constantly one developed further and received a synchronized transmission as well as a revised engine, which needed fewer lubricants (mixture 1:33 instead of 1:25). In addition a variant appeared as satellite combination and two and/or three-colored model "„special wish "“with swung trim.

Satellite 600

Major item: Satellite 600

With model year 1963 the satellite engine was fundamentally revised. The capacity of 494 to 599 cm was increased by larger Zylinderbohrung and an increase in output on 17 KW (23 HP) was reached. Outwardly the car corresponded however no longer quite to the time taste - the fifties were past. The trim "„special wish "“became straight. Otherwise the new satellite showed itself only by the added signature "„600 "“by the tail. The autofarmer with Saxonia ring were not with this conditions content and designed a new body, which could be built on the understructure 600.

Satellite 601

The new body, which was built starting from 1964 in series, arrived good in the population. She pleased by her straighter lines and the suggested fins at the tail. The satellite became altogether 18 cm longer, however 5 kg more easily. One year later appeared also the combination "„satellite 601 universal "“with hinged rear seats and a capacity of 1.400 l.

The two-stroke engine, the satellite propelled - and its constructional origins with the rotary valve-steered DKW motorcycle running engines of the 30's lay - threatened meanwhile more and more to become outdated. It was appropriate "„for the duck with its output of 17 KW still on the level of its class, "“with 12 KW and "„the beetle "“with 25 KW, however even the socialist foreign country set in the meantime on the clearly quieter and more cultivated four-cycle technology.

With Saxonia ring one planned therefore one construction period satellite 601 to 1967. In the meantime one developed a semiautomatic, electrohydraulical clutch (Hycomat), an improved engine with 18 KW (26 HP) and one mainly for the NVA planned "„excavator bucket "“- variant.

To the successor planned for 1968 it did not come however. Also further projects into the 1970ern ran in the sand, since they were politically not to be realized intended and economically with difficulty.

Instead the satellite 601 was developed further in the context of the limited possibilities. The introduction of a dual circuit brake assembly, the conversion to 12 V on-board tension and H4-Headlight as well as the installation of an electronic ignition system is considerable.

Since also in other autoworks of the Eastern Bloc the development to center of the 1980er stood still to a large extent years, the satellite in the traffic of the GDR could keep up also at the end of its time well. Nevertheless the few usually superficial changes of the model could not deceive the citizens about the fact that the 601 in the 26 years hopelessly became outdated to its production.

Satellite 1,1

After several missed projects in the middle of the 1980er finally appeared the development of a new model. The IFA acquired used 1.3 l of four-stroke engine from Volkswagen the license for the reproduction their in the Polo. This should be finally built first into waiting castle, afterwards in the satellite and in the Barkas. Before the new engine could be manufactured, however first about 7.96 billion Mark for purchase and building of the necessary machines and the restructuring of past production had to be invested.

For the new satellite only little money remained for the renewal of the model. The body of a prototype favored first was rejected. Instead the modernized technology in only an exterior changed in the detail hid itself. Considering the uncertain chassis one saw oneself besides forced to make the engine smaller on 1,1 l capacity in order to limit the achievement and lower the maximum speed.

The model was presented in the autumn 1989 and should cost 18,900 Marks. The car was not joyfully accepted however. After 26 years and during a price increase around 6.000 Marks one did not want not to accept a car, which afterwards-hung west standards so much, any more. When in May 1990 the production car called "„IFA satellite 1.1 of the "“went into series, the contract was already signatory to the currency, economics and social union with the Federal Republic. The satellite did not have to oppose anything to the image and the technology of Western European automakers.

Beside the sedan and universal (in former times combination) the 1.1 also as Tramp, an open variant with folded slab roof the jeep, and a Pick UP one offered to classical models.

Also the marketing attempts as "„Fun Car "“for under 6.000 DM failed. After only twelve months "“the work left last "„1.1. On 30 April 1991 ended after 33 years the production satellite and with it the construction of vehicles with Saxonia ring.

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