We love a good comeback story at PH, but while Schumi’s run in the F2007 to impress Fiat dignitaries this week is hardly surprising, we’ve heard news of something a bit more entertaining.
Riding on the back of the success of the retro-inspired VW Beetle, new Mini and Fiat 500, German model maker Herpa has just purchased the rights to use the name Trabant on an all-new road car.
Usually concerned with tiny 1:87 scale models of cars and planes, the company is using the Trabant’s 50th anniversary year - happy birthday for November 7th, by the way - to gauge public opinion on whether Initiative newTrabi should go ahead.
A 1:10 scale model of their proposed car went on display at Frankfurt motorshow, and the concept was shown again in Zwickau recently, where the original car was cobbled together.
Apparently 93% of people gave the concept the thumbs up. Hopefully, the new car will feature slightly more up-to-date mechanicals than the 2-stroke smoker that the original had, and while the Duraplast bodywork was a recycled material, something a bit more contemporary wouldn’t go amiss.
As for performance, the original snored to 60 in 21 seconds, but the irony certainly wouldn’t be lost on us if Herpa installed the Cooper S’s turbocharged lump.
Prices are rumoured to be in the vicinity of €30,000 too, so don’t expect Foxtons to switch allegiance any time soon.
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