New Trabant

East Germany's iconic form of transportation, the Trabant, could soon once again be plowing around the streets of Europe. According to the Financial Times, a group of small German companies has spent the past two years working on the rebirth of the famed Trabbi, as it is affectionately known, and plans to present the reengineered car at the Frankfurt International Motor Show one month from now.

Juergen Schnell, spokesman for IndiKar, the team behind the new model, told the website of mass-selling German tabloid Bild that the Trabant NT – the NT stands for new Trabi – will be "simple, light and easy to maintain."

Instead of puttering around being powered by the traditional two-stroke engine, the new Trabi will be battery powered, making it an ideal option for city dwellers and those only needed to travel short distances. Several energy consortiums and large German automakers are already testing charging stations in Berlin and Munich, so finding a place to plug in the Trabants shouldn't be too difficult.

Juergen also said that there was the option for the cars to have solar panels on the roof, making it possible to charge the battery while it's parked or on the go. The Trabant NT is expected to be able to travel 160 kilometers on a single charge.

There is no word yet on how much the new cars will cost or even where they could be bought, and that will only become clear once investors have been confirmed.

(mrm)

Editor: Nick Amies