Wartburg 353 1985–1989 car dimensions: 4220 mm long, 1640 mm wide and 1495 mm high. Unladen weight is 920 kg. Braked towing is 650 kg.
The cabin offers a spacious interior with a flat floor and fabric seats in corduroy on higher trims. A 1985 update added a central console with heating and ventilation levers plus a two-stage blower for the heater. Front seatbelts are standard, rear ones optional. Headrests and a heated rear window appear on the S trim. No electronic driver aids are listed.
The sedan boot holds 525 litres, noted as large for its class with a clean lined space and spare wheel cover on some versions.
Payload stands at 400 kg for the limousine. Braked towing capacity is 650 kg and unbraked 500 kg. The setup suits light work or trailer use with the strong chassis frame.
The cabin is spacious for four adults with good legroom and a large 525-litre boot. Padded cloth seats offer decent support and can be adjusted manually for length and backrest angle. Heating and ventilation use a two-speed electric blower with a new centre console for easier control of air mix and distribution. An optional steel sliding sunroof is available. Soft suspension gives a compliant ride over rough roads, with engine noise present but subdued at steady speeds of 80-90 km/h.
Two-stroke petrol-oil mix at 1:50 ratio using normal-grade fuel.
Factory fuel use figures around 7.4 l/100 km at 90 km/h, 11.9 l/100 km at 120 km/h and 10.9 l/100 km city.
Dual-circuit brakes with front discs and load-sensitive rear regulator.
Inertia-reel front seatbelts standard, rear belts optional. safety steering column and crumple zones fitted.
Simple mechanical design makes routine repairs straightforward.
The three-cylinder two-stroke engine runs on a petrol-oil mixture of 1:50 and delivers around 50 PS. Official consumption sits near 10 l/100 km overall, with lower figures possible on steady open-road runs. A 42-litre tank gives usable range for everyday journeys.
Servicing is uncomplicated thanks to the accessible engine bay and basic components. No complex electronics or multi-valve systems mean most jobs can be done with ordinary tools. Brake fluid needs periodic changes, and the freewheel gearbox simplifies clutch use.
Safety kit includes dual-circuit hydraulic brakes with front discs, a collapsible steering column meeting ECE rules, inertia seatbelts up front and a body designed with controlled crumple zones front and rear. Child locks and higher seatbacks for headrests add passive protection. No ABS or airbags are fitted.
Daily ownership centres on the reliable two-stroke powertrain and roomy practical body. Keep the mixture correct and the simple chassis lubricated. parts remain available through specialist networks though some body items grow scarce.
Length 4220 mm, Width 1640 mm, Height 1495 mm, Wheelbase 2450 mm (353 1985–1989)
Sources: manufacturer data, automobile-catalog.com, de.wikipedia.org/Wartburg_353 and wartburgpeter.de.