The model was developed by Rudolf Slaby, the former owner of the Spandau based automaker Slaby-Beringer which DKW had purchased in 1924.

The engine produced 15 metric horsepower (11 kW) and the car was referred to as the DKW P15 as a result.

A reduced wheelbase sports roadster derivative, the PS 600, with an engine producing 18 metric horsepower (13 kW), was made from December 1929[4] till 1931.

A relatively short operating life was anticipated also on account of the poor quality of the synthetic leather that coated the timber body frame: it rotted.

In terms of market positioning, the real successor of the original Typ P was the DKW F1, the innovative front wheel drive model launched in February 1931 and produced 300 km (190 miles) to the south at the Zwickau plant acquired in 1928 with the purchase of Audi.