TESTS IN GERMANY OF THE PEOPLE’S CAR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 185, 22 May 1939, Page 4

TESTS IN GERMANY OF THE PEOPLE’S CAR

RUMOURS UNFOUNDED vi A number of English technical . experts and motoring journalists were recently invited to Germany toi try the new KDF (strength through joy) Volkswagen, or “people’s bar,” "on the road. Their impressions make interesting reading, and: also .make it appear that previous rumours concerning the dropping of the scheme, which is to supply a car to' German workers at a very low figure, are unfounded. - • ’ .

Most of the. visitors were unanimous in their' appreciation of the design, which is. the work of the famous Dr. Porsche, who produced the successful but unconventional Auto-Union racing cars, but have certain, criticisms to offer regarding the road performance and the general finish. , ■■ The engine is a small air-cooled “flat four” fitted in the streamlined tail, and, though rated at only 8 h.p., this is so highly geared that .it’ never goes beyond about 3,000 r.p.m. The purpose of this is to allow the car to be diriven at a steady 50 m.p.h. on the • autobahn for hours on end with-, out undue stress, a special oiling system also doing its part in making this sustained speed possible. The maximum speed is about 58 m.p.h. However, the high back axle gearing has made the general top-gear per-

formance very poor indeed, and apparently it is necessary to. use tlie gear lever continually when travelling in traffic, or hilly country. . ' Poor Leg Room. The. poor leg room in'the back seat lias been condemned unanimously, but on the other hand, all these experts are high in their praise of the suspension on rough surfaces, independent springing being used all round. The interior fittings ancl furnishings are stated to be very crude and not at all acceptable to the average motorist of other, countries, but body and chassis are at least very staunch. The appearance of the car is dccidedy unconventional, having a .curved deck in the front like the tail of a conventional roadster, and in this are stored the spare wheel, petrol tank and tools, while there also is a large space for luggage. The four-seater saloon body is streamlined back from this, the surved andi sloping tail accommodating the engine.