DKW F5

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title: "DKW F5" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dkw-vehicles", "compact-cars", "front-wheel-drive-vehicles", "1930s-cars", "cars-introduced-in-1935"] topic_path: "general/dkw-vehicles" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DKW_F5" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]

Field	Value
image	DKW F5 Sedan 1935.jpg
name	DKW F5 Reichsklasse / Meisterklasse
manufacturer	Auto Union AG
production	1935–1936
assembly	Germany: Zwickau
predecessor	DKW F2
DKW F4
successor	DKW F7
engine	584 cc & 692 cc
two-stroke straight-2
layout	FF layout
transmission	3-speed manual
length	3750 mm
(Reichsklasse sedan)
width	1430 mm
(Reichsklasse sedan)
height	1480 mm
(Reichsklasse sedan)
weight	700 kg
(Reichsklasse sedan)
wheelbase	2610 mm
(Reichsklasse sedan)
::

The DKW F5 is a small, front-wheel drive saloon produced by Auto Union's DKW division from 1935 to 1936, as a replacement for the DKWs F4 (Meisterklasse) and F2 (Reichsklasse) models.

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 was claimed.

Engine and running gear

The cars had the two-cylinder two-stroke engines of their predecessors. The Meisterklasse 692 cc and 584 cc engine had an output of 20 hp. Respective claimed top speeds were 80 and.

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.

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.

Data

::data[format=table title="Technical data DKW F5 {{cite book |last=Oswald |first=Werner |title= Deutsche Autos 1920-1945, Band 4|year= 1996 |edition=10"]

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 PS	20 PS	18 PS	20 PS
Electrical system:	6 volt
Max. speed :	80 km/h	85 km/h	80 km/h	85 km/h	90 km/h
Dry weight:	700 kg	770 kg	650 kg	790 -	700 kg
Track, front/rear:	1110 /
Wheelbase:	{{convert	2610	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert	2610	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert
Length:	3750 mm	3985 mm	3450 mm	3995 mm	3745 mm
Width:	{{convert	1430	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert	1465	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert
Height:	{{convert	1480	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert	1500	mm	in	abbr=on}}	{{convert
::

Sources

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::