DKW F5

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DKW F5 Reichsklasse / Meisterklasse
DKW F5 - 700/ Meisterklasse.
Manufacturer Auto Union AG
Production 1935 – 1936
Predecessor DKW F2 (Reichsklasse)
DKW F4 (Meisterklasse)
Successor DKW F7
Layout FF layout
Engine(s) 584 cc & 692 cc
two stroke straight-2
Transmission(s) 3 speed manual
Wheelbase 2610 mm (102.8 in)
(Reichsklasse sedan)
Length 3750 mm (147.6 in)
(Reichsklasse sedan)
Width 1430 mm (56.3 in)
(Reichsklasse sedan)
Height 1480 mm (58.3 in)
(Reichsklasse sedan)
Curb weight 700 kg (1543 lb)
(Reichsklasse sedan)
DKW F5 Roadster (1938)
DKW F5 Roadster (1938)

The DKW F5 is a sub compact front wheel drive saloon launched by Auto Union’s DKW division in 1935 as a replacement for the DKWs F4 (Meisterklasse) and F2 (Reichsklasse) models.

Contents

[edit] The body

The appearance of the F5 was little changed from those of the F2 and F4. However, the timber frame construction of the central portion of the body was, in the F5, replaced with a steel frame. The outer skin of the body remained of fabric construction, with plywood support.

There were two broadly similar F5 saloons, sold as the Reichsklasse and Meisterklasse. They shared the same track and wheelbase, but the Meisterklasse was 3.5 cm longer. There were also two seater cabriolet versions of each, along with a lighter bodied ‘Front Luxus Sport’ sports cabriolet for which a higher top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) was claimed.


[edit] Engine and running gear

The cars had the two cylinder two stroke engines of their predecessors. The Reichsklasse engine was of 584 cc with an output of 18 bhp (13 kW). The Meisterklasse’s 692 cc engine had an output of 20 bhp (15 kW). Respective claimed top speeds were 80 km/h (50 mph) and 85 km/h (53 mph).

DKW had been producing small front wheel drive sedans since 1931. The incorporation of front wheel drive in the F5 was at this time still strikingly innovative in terms of the wider auto market, however.

The car featured a three speed manual transmission system.

[edit] Commercial

Production of the F5 saloon ended in 1936 while production of the 20 bhp cabriolet versions continued for a further year. The car was replaced by the DKW F7. By the time that happened, approximately 60,000 F5s had been produced, placing this car among Germany’s top sellers.

[edit] Data


Technical data DKW F5 [1] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)
DKW F5 ’Reichsklasse’ ’Meisterklasse’ ’Front’ Cabriolet ’Front Luxus’ Cabriolet ’Front Luxus Sport’
Body 2 door saloon 2 door saloon 2 seater cabriolet 2 seater cabriolet 2 seater roadster
Produced:  1935 - 1936 1935 - 1936 1936 1936 - 1937 1936 - 1937
Engine:  Two stroke 2 cylinder water cooled , front mounted
Displacement:  584 cc 692 cc 584 cc 692 cc 692 cc
Bore x stroke:  74 x 68 76 x 76 74 x 68 76 x 76 76 x 76
Max. power :  18 hp (13 kW) 20 hp (15 kW) 18 hp (13 kW) 20 hp (15 kW) 20 hp (15 kW)
Electrical system:  6 volt
Max. speed  :  80 km/h (50 mph) 85 km/h (53 mph) 80 km/h (50 mph) 85 km/h (53 mph) 90 km/h (56 mph)
Dry weight:  700 kg (1543 lb) 770 kg (1698 lb) 650 kg (1433 lb) 790 kg (1742 lb) - 820 kg (1808 lb) 700 kg (1543 lb)
Track front/
rear: 		 1110 mm (43.7 in) 1220 mm (48 in) 1110 mm (43.7 in) 1220 mm (48 in) 1110 mm (43.7 in) 1220 mm (48 in) 1110 mm (43.7 in) 1220 mm (48 in) 1110 mm (43.7 in) 1220 mm (48 in)
Wheelbase:  2610 mm (102.8 in) 2610 mm (102.8 in) 2400 mm (94.5 in) 2610 mm (102.8 in) 2500 mm (98.4 in)
Length:  3750 mm (147.6 in) 3985 mm (156.9 in) 3450 mm (135.8 in) 3995 mm (157.3 in) 3745 mm (147.4 in)
Width:  1430 mm (56.3 in) 1465 mm (57.7 in) 1450 mm (57.1 in) 1480 mm (58.3 in) 1440 mm (56.7 in)
Height:  1480 mm (58.3 in) 1500 mm (59.1 in) 1440 mm (56.7 in) 1440 mm (56.7 in) 1410 mm (55.5 in)

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ Oswald, Werner (1996 10. Auflage). Deutsche Autos 1920-1945, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-879-435196-7. 
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