You Probably Don't Know About These German Cars
BMW and Volkswagen make some of German’s most recognizable cars. However, there are other smaller brands that probably have never heard of.
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Germans have been in the automotive business longer than anyone. We know them best for manufacturers like BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, whose founder, Carl Benz, invented the first gas-powered car.
But there are a few
car brands
and models from Germany that you probably haven’t heard of. Don’t forget—the country is known almost to the point of caricature for its engineering. From the supercar segment to one-off oddities, Germans have developed some spectacular vehicles.To give you a sense of what we mean, here are a few examples of unique and rare cars from Germany that most people don’t know about. Some are connected to well-known brands while others were the only vehicles made by their automakers.
Isdera—Germany’s fringe supercar maker
No list of German auto rarities would be complete without mentioning Isdera. Its Imperater 108i, was designed by a Porsche employee named Eberhard Schulz.
CarBuzz
says the car was intended for Mercedes, but the auto industry giant only displayed it as a concept. Unsatisfied, Schulz started Isdera to release the car. And while only 30 108i’s were made, Isdera continues to (very slowly) release new models. Since its founding in ‘82, it’s released six cars, including the 2018 Commendatore GT, an electric supercar.
Isdera’s designs range from
Lamborghini Countach
look-a-likes to vintage styles like the 2006 Autobahnkurier AK116i. But don’t expect to get your hands on the wheel of one any time soon. Each Isdera is made-to-order and takes up to a year to make.MORE: Mercedes-Benz Is Going Full Electric With EQS
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German-made auto oddities
Germans definitely know how to make high-performance vehicles, but not every rarity from the European country belongs under that banner. Some of them are more reminiscent of a Smart Car than a Maserati.
Take the Jetcar for example. The only product of its automaker of the same name, CarBuzz says this cockpit on wheels has a diesel engine that offers an industry-norm-doubling 82 miles per gallon.
Before the Smart Car, the Jetcar, or even the Mini existed, there was the Kleinschnittger F 125. With a body that looks more like a kid’s peddle car than an actual motorized vehicle, this microcar had only 5 hp and had a top speed of 40 mph.
Do German cars cost more to insure?
MORE: A 1963 Pontiac Tempest Is a Rare Yet Affordable Restoration Car
Car insurance
for German-made cars varies as much as the vehicles themselves. A policy for a Volkswagen Jetta sits pretty close to the national average, price-wise, while insurance for a new Porsche or Isdera will definitely cost you more. If you want to save money on car insurance, the
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