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Nimble, spacious and safe - DKW Junior de Luxe (historical test)

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Created on February 10, 1962

Reading time 9min

Written by:

Ing. Christian Bartsch

Photos:

Audi AG / Werk

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

Archiv

Audi AG / Werk

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

Archiv

DKW Junior de Luxe (1962) - die verbesserte Variante des DKW Junior mit nun 0,8 Liter Hubraum

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DKW Junior (1962) - ein freundliches Hallo

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DKW Junior (1962) - Blick unter die Motorhaube

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DKW Junior (1965) - hübsches kleines Auto - Genfer Automobilsalon 1965

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DKW Junior (1959) - Internationale Automobilausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt 1959 - kleines Auto mit viel Platz

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DKW Junior (1959) - kompakter Zweitürer in Seirenausführung

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DKW Junior (1959) - natürlich mit Zweitaktmotor

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DKW Junior (1960) - für den Ausflug mit Picknick

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DKW Junior (1960) - Abkehr von der rundlichen Form der Vorgänger

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DKW Junior (1960) - auch rechtsgelenkt lieferbar

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DKW Junior (1960) - Familienwagen mit den Charakteristiken der Mittelklasse

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DKW Junior (1960) - echter Viersitzer mit "Ferienkofferrraum"

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DKW Junior (1960) - der Dreizylinder-Zweitaktmotor mit 34 PS aus 741 cm3 in der Durchsichtszeichnung

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DKW Junior (1960) - mit 34 Zweitakt-PS aus dem 741 cm3 grossen Dreizzylindermotor

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DKW Junior (1960) - Lenkrad und einfach gehaltenes Armaturenbrett

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DKW Junior (1960) - vor dem Reichstor in Berlin

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DKW Junior (1960) - 750 cm3 und 34 PS für die Dame

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DKW Junior (1960) - Titelseite des Verkaufsprospekts

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DKW Junior (1960) - Abbildung im Verkaufsprospekt

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DKW Junior (1962) -Kosten auf Heller und Pfennig

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Summary

At the beginning of the sixties, the DKW Junior had successfully fought for its place in the car market. But the competition did not sleep. DKW responded with the Junior de Luxe, which, with a displacement increase of 50 cm3, could do almost everything better than the "normal" Junior, which continued to be built initially. At least that was the opinion of engineer Bartsch in his test in the Motor Rundschau in 1962, formulated as always soberly and factually. This report reproduces the original wording of the "major test" at the time and shows the Junior and Junior de Luxe in many historical illustrations, as well as in two sales brochures of the time.

This article contains the following chapters

Individual engine rating
Individual assessment Transmission
Individual suspension rating
Individual assessment of road holding
Individual assessment of brakes
Individual assessment of equipment
Our special wishes
Brief profile - short and sweet
Measurement results
Costs/economy

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When the "Junior" appeared on the market, it filled the gap between small cars and the "lower" middle class, which was primarily filled by the Volkswagen, but also by the Ford 12 M, the AU 1000, Fiat 1100, etc. As the Junior not only looked like a DKW of this size, but was also disproportionately spacious and its driving performance - top speed and acceleration, very good road holding - put it well ahead of the aforementioned cars, it quickly became very popular. However, it was foreseeable that it would soon be joined by other serious competitors - not only in Germany. It therefore came as no surprise when Auto Union presented an improved Junior, the Junior de Luxe, at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, obviously in an effort to one day replace the Junior with the de Luxe. Nor was it surprising that the engine capacity was increased from the less tax-efficient 750 cc to 800 cc, albeit while retaining the maximum output of 34 hp, which "incidentally" resulted in a reduction of the rated speed by around 300 rpm. It was also possible to reduce the compression ratio of the Junior from 8 to 7.1 (average value).

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