Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau (IFA), the umbrella company for Wartburg, launched the replacement for the Wartburg 312 in 1966. Sometimes marketed as the 'Wartburg Knight', the 353 used the same 992cc 3-cylinder two stroke engine from the outgoing 312, itself an engine dating back to the pre-war DKW F9. The modern looking body gave a roomy car, though it was more likely to be supplied to state officials than to private citizens. An estate version was marketed as the Tourist, and there was also a pickup. In 1977 the 353 was revised as the 353W gaining more power and a matt black grille. In 1983 the 353 was again revised with a new body colour grille. Finally, with the breaking down of the Berlin Wall an attempt was made to create an emission-friendly version of the 353 as the 353S with a Volkswagen 1.3 engine, but the project only lasted from 1988 to 1991. Altogether 1.8 million Wartburg 353 cars were produced.