Wanderer W22 History

The W22 shared the W21's 3-metre wheelbase but used a larger 1,950 cc overhead-valve straight-six producing 40 PS at 3,500 rpm, offering a modest but meaningful performance step over its W21 sibling. Both cars were launched together under Auto Union in 1933, replacing the independent-era W17/W20 range.

From 1934 a six-seat Pullman-limousine variant was offered, broadening the W22's appeal into the light-commercial and chauffeur-driven segment. In 1935 the cabriolet was given a redesigned hood, and the car was progressively renamed W240 and then W40 (1936) in line with the same renaming exercise applied to the W21 family.

Like the W21, the W22 formed part of the 29,111-unit collective production run of 3-metre-wheelbase Wanderer sixes built between 1933 and 1938. It was replaced by the W50 at the top of the six-cylinder range.