The B 611 was delivered with a four-speed all-synchromesh manual gear change, controlled with a column mounted lever.

Eleven years and one world war later Volkswagen had launched a flat fronted rear wheel drive light van with the engine at the back.

But the front-wheel drive solution required the front wheels to be attached using a type of universal joint that was difficult to mass-produce at an acceptable cost without sacrificing strength, while with the rear engined Volkswagen design it was difficult to load goods over the engine from the back of the vehicle.

It was also significantly wider which meant that the driver's cabin, with an engine in the middle of it, was more specious than on the British light vans of the period.

The width of the Borgward van enabled the manufacture to offer customers the possibility of a third seat, mounted on top of the engine, in the driver's cabin.

Borgward publicity material of the time explained that this gave the vehicle a conveniently tight turning circle.

[3][5] With a wide comfortable cabin offering space for three people and using uncomplicated technology the Borgward 611 won friends in the press and in the market place.