CARCARETOOL VEHICLE GUIDE

Trabant 601

Trabant 601 — 2-door saloon (''limousine''); 3-door estate (''universal''); doorless atv (''tramp/kübel''), 594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2. Explore engine specifications, fuel economy, dimensions, tire sizes, seating, maintenance and tire-pressure guidance.

Engine594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2

Transmission4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic

About the Trabant 601

Trabant 601 is a 2-door saloon (''Limousine''); 3-door estate (''Universal''); Doorless ATV (''Tramp/Kübel'') in the supermini (b)economy car class. The available vehicle data lists 594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2 as an engine configuration, paired with 4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic and a FF layout layout. Public source material describes the model in the context of its design, market positioning and vehicle history.

This Trabant 601 guide focuses on the details drivers commonly want to know, including engine information for 594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2 and 4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic transmission information. Exact specifications should be matched to the relevant model year and market.

Trabant 601 specifications at a glance

Use this table for the model-level essentials. Exact figures may vary by year, trim, engine and market.

Make	Trabant
Model	601
Model years	Not specified
Body style	2-door saloon (''Limousine''); 3-door estate (''Universal''); Doorless ATV (''Tramp/Kübel'')
Vehicle class	Supermini (B)Economy car
Manufacturer	VEB Sachsenring
Production	June 1964 – July 19902,818,547 built
Market / country	FI, NL, UA

Engine, transmission and performance

Engine information for the Trabant 601 includes 594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2.. Transmission information includes 4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic.. The listed drivetrain/layout is FF layout.

Engine	594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2
Transmission	4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic
Drivetrain / layout	FF layout

Dimensions, weight and practicality

Dimensions and capacity figures are presented as published source data when available.

Wheelbase	2020 mm (79.5 in)
Length	3555 mm (140 in)
Width	1505 mm (59.3 in)
Height	1440 mm (56.7 in)
Kerb / curb weight	615 kg (1,356 lb)

Trabant 601 other specifications

Name	Trabant 601
Image	1988 VEB Sachenring Trabant P601S Beige (1 bearb Sp) (cropped).jpg
Caption	Trabant 601 S, original condition (1988)
Sp	uk

Trabant 601 generations and model years

Where a source covers multiple generations, CarCareTool selects the generation(s) that best match this catalog model instead of mixing unrelated variants.

Generation / scope	Years	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
Trabant 601	June 1964 – July 19902,818,547 built	594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2	4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic	FF layout

Trabant 601 features and equipment

Features shown below are tied to the available source material for this model. Equipment can vary by year, trim and market.

Standard or documented features

✓Green Trabants are especially popular, as they are rumoured to bring good luck to their owners

✓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

TIRE PRESSURE

Recommended tire pressure for Trabant 601

Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. CarCareTool estimates are clearly labelled when an exact verified value is unavailable.

Normal load32 PSI front30 PSI rear

Fully loaded34 PSI front33 PSI rear

Load condition	Front	Rear	Status
Normal	32 PSI	30 PSI	Estimate
Fully loaded	34 PSI	33 PSI	Estimate

Calculate how much air to add

Frequently asked questions about Trabant 601

These FAQs are generated automatically for this specific vehicle from the specifications, features and ownership data available in CarCareTool. Questions are selected by relevance so the page focuses on details that can actually be answered for this model.

What engine does the Trabant 601 have?

The available source data lists the Trabant 601 engine as 594 cc ''P60-P66'' two-stroke I2. Engine availability can differ by model year and market.

What tire pressure should I use for the Trabant 601?

For the correct setting, use the cold inflation pressure on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual. When CarCareTool does not have a verified configuration-specific value, its starting estimate is 32 PSI front and 30 PSI rear for normal load. This is an estimate, not an OEM recommendation.

What is the best engine oil for the Trabant 601?

There is no single best engine oil for every Trabant 601 configuration. Use the viscosity grade and manufacturer approval specified for the exact engine in the owner’s manual.

What body style is the Trabant 601?

The Trabant 601 is classified as a 2-door saloon (''Limousine''); 3-door estate (''Universal''); Doorless ATV (''Tramp/Kübel'').

What are the dimensions of the Trabant 601?

The available source data lists length 3555 mm (140 in), width 1505 mm (59.3 in), height 1440 mm (56.7 in), and wheelbase 2020 mm (79.5 in).

What transmission does the Trabant 601 have?

The available source data lists 4-speed manual; 4-speed ''Hycomat'' semi-automatic transmission options for the Trabant 601.

Is the Trabant 601 FWD, RWD or AWD?

The listed drivetrain/layout for the Trabant 601 is FF layout.

Who makes the Trabant 601?

The manufacturer listed for the Trabant 601 is VEB Sachsenring.

When was the Trabant 601 produced?

The available source data describes production as June 1964 – July 19902,818,547 built.

How much does the Trabant 601 weigh?

The available source data lists a kerb/curb weight of 615 kg (1,356 lb). Actual weight can vary with engine, trim and equipment.

Where was the Trabant 601 built?

The available source record lists assembly information as East Germany: Zwickau.

What class of car is the Trabant 601?

The Trabant 601 is listed in the Supermini (B)Economy car class.

What platform does the Trabant 601 use?

The available source data lists the platform/chassis as Trabant P601.

Which markets or countries sold the Trabant 601?

The CarCareTool catalog currently associates the Trabant 601 with FI, NL, UA. Market availability and specifications can differ.

What came after the Trabant 601?

The available vehicle data lists Trabant 1.1 as a successor where applicable.

What replaced the Trabant 601?

The available vehicle data lists Trabant 1.1 as the successor where applicable.

How often should I check the tire pressure on the Trabant 601?

Check the tires regularly and before long trips, with the tires cold. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual as the source of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Should I use the tire sidewall pressure for the Trabant 601?

No. The maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall is not automatically the vehicle’s recommended setting. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the correct cold inflation pressure.

Does the recommended tire pressure change when the Trabant 601 is fully loaded?

It can. Many vehicles specify a different cold pressure for heavier loads. Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the exact loading condition.

Can the Trabant 601 have different tire pressures front and rear?

Yes. Some vehicles specify different front and rear pressures because axle loads and vehicle configurations differ. Follow the exact vehicle recommendation where available.

Data sources and verification are available in the page editor; exact specifications can vary by year, market, trim and engine.

Trabant 601 images

Vehicle images are shown from the stored source image records when available.