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Volkswagen EA-48 (1955)
Austin’s revolutionary Mini might not have been born had Volkswagen released the EA-48.
Engineers began developing an entry-level model positioned below the Beetle in 1953. This was a significant move, because they decided to design the car in-house, without any input from Porsche, and they chose to start from scratch instead of hacking away at the Beetle’s platform to reduce its footprint.
Called EA-48 internally, the prototype featured unibody construction and a 600cc air-cooled flat-twin that sent 18hp to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.
The two-cylinder was essentially a Beetle engine cut in half. Gustav Mayer, the project’s lead engineer, considered creating a small diesel engine but Volkswagen boss Heinz Nordhoff turned down his request.
Mayer developed a McPherson-like front suspension for the EA-48; if launched, it would have been one of the most advanced small cars available in Europe.
The project reached an advanced stage, but Nordhoff cancelled it due to fears the car – which could have worn the 600 nameplate – would steal sales from the Beetle.
Politics played a role in the decision, too. Ludwig Erhard, Germany’s minister for economic affairs, warned Volkswagen that thousands of jobs would be lost if the EA-48 outsold other small cars made by companies such as Lloyd.
EA-48 development ended in 1956. One of the two prototypes survived.
