| Borgward Hansa 2400 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Carl F. W. Borgward GmbH |
| Production | 1952–1959 1,032 built |
| Assembly | West Germany:Bremen-Sebaldsbrück |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car (E) |
| Body style | 4-doorfastbacksaloon (1952–1955) 4-doornotchbacklimousine (1953–1959) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2337 ccstraight-6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed all-synchromesh manual automatic optional |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm (103.1 in) (fastback) 2,820 mm (111.0 in) (notchback)[1] |
| Length | 4,460 mm (175.6 in) (fastback) 4,660 mm (183.5 in) (notchback) 4,760 mm (187.4 in) from 1955 |
| Width | 1,780 mm (70.1 in) |
| Height | 1,490 mm (58.7 in) (loaded) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Borgward P100 |
TheBorgward Hansa 2400 was anexecutivesix-cylindersaloon (E-segment) presented in 1951, and manufactured by theBremen based auto-manufacturerCarl F. W. Borgward GmbH from 1952 until 1959. The car was launched as a four-doorfastbacksaloon; a longer-wheelbasenotchback version appeared a year later. The Hansa 2400 suffered from teething troubles including inadequate brakes and problems with theautomatic transmission Borgward developed for it.[2] In a small closely contested market, the large Borgwards lost out toless flamboyantmodels from the German south.
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The Hansa 2400 commenced production in 1952 as a largefastbacksaloon, its profile reminiscent of the recently introducedHudson Super Wasp. It had presence. Unusually at this time, all fourdoors were forward opening to presumably facilitate access and egress. The body was an all-steelintegral structure, similar to on the car'sfour-cylinder sibling.
Sales material emphasized the car's luxury features, such as aheating andventilation system ducting air direct to rear passengers as well as to the front, with each system and side separately adjustable. Luxury details such as the cigarette lighter, self-parkingwindshield wipers, and side windows lowering completely into the doors barely-merited a mention. The spare wheel was stowed flat in a compartment beneath theboot, accessible through ahatch behind a section of therear bumper so a wheel change could be accomplished without the need to empty the luggage.
A year later a longer-wheelbasenotchbacklimousine version appeared. Options included a partition to enable the car to be used for traditional chauffeur operations.
In 1955, production of thefastbacksaloon ceased. The long-wheelbase car underwent a minor facelift involving prominent headlamp surrounds. It was produced through 1959.
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According to rumors, the vehicle was intended for the anemic four-cylinder 1758 cc engine.[1] That engine went into an uprated version of theHansa 1500. In the promotional event, the larger car launched with a six-cylinder engine of 2337 cc with a claimed power output of 82 bhp (61 kW; 83 PS) and a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). The 1955 package of improvements included engine modifications increasing the advertised output to 100 bhp (75 kW; 100 PS).
Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on all ratios. An automatic gear change option was also advertised,[3] making the car, according to some sources, the first German car to be offered with automatic transmission.
This entry is based on information from the German WikipediaBorgward article.