The Tatra 90 was a Czechoslovak prototype mid‑size automobile produced by the Tatra company in Kopřivnice in 1935. Only two examples were built and the model never entered series production.
Development
Designed as an experimental six‑seater sedan, the Tatra 90 incorporated aerodynamic styling influenced by earlier Tatra models such as the Type 77, while retaining separate fenders and integrated headlights. The vehicle used a tubular backbone chassis, a front axle with transverse leaf spring, and oscillating rear axles also sprung on a transverse leaf spring.
Engine and drivetrain
The car was powered by an air‑cooled four‑cylinder overhead‑cam (OHC) boxer engine of 2 490 cc displacement—the same powerplant as the contemporary Tatra 82 military truck. The engine produced 55 hp (41 kW) and drove the rear wheels through a front‑mounted layout. Power was transmitted via a single‑disc dry clutch to a four‑speed manual gearbox with synchronized third and fourth gears.
Dimensions and performance
- Wheelbase: 3 220 mm (126.8 in)
- Curb weight: approximately 1 450 kg (3 197 lb)
- Top speed: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Body
The body was a four‑door, six‑seat sedan with an emphasis on streamlined form. Despite its aerodynamic appearance, the design included conventional fenders and running boards.
Production and legacy
Only two prototypes of the Tatra 90 were constructed; the model did not proceed to mass production. It remains a noteworthy example of interwar Czechoslovak automotive engineering and illustrates Tatra’s experimental approach to vehicle design during the 1930s.
