25 Facts About VW Beetle

Volkswagen VW Beetle—officially the Volkswagen Type 1, informally in German, in parts of the English-speaking world the Bug, and known by many other nicknames in other languages—is a two-door, rear-engine economy car, intended for five occupants, that was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003.

VW Beetle marked a significant trend, led by Volkswagen, and then by Fiat and Renault, whereby the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout increased from 2.

VW Beetle gave a speech, in which he named the car Kraft-durch-Freude-Wagen .

The VW Beetle was faced with competition from new designs like the Fiat 127 and Renault 5, and more robust designs based on the Austin Mini layout such as the Superminis.

Safety issues with the VW Beetle came under increasing scrutiny, culminating in the 1972 release of a rather scathing report.

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Production of the VW Beetle continued in smaller numbers at other German factories until 19 January 1978, when mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico: markets where low operating cost was an important factor.

VW Beetle outlasted most other cars which had adopted the rear-engine, air-cooled layout such as those by Subaru, Fiat, and General Motors.

VW Beetle featured a rear-located, air-cooled four-cylinder, boxer engine and rear-wheel drive in a two-door bodywork featuring a flat front windscreen, accommodating four passengers and providing luggage storage under the front bonnet and behind the rear seat—and offering a coefficient of drag of 0.

The rear window of the VW Beetle evolved from a divided or "split" oval, to a singular oval.

Largest change to date for the VW Beetle was in 1965: the majority of the body stampings were revised, which allowed for significantly larger windows.

The standard VW Beetle was now badged as the VW 1300; when equipped with the 1600 engine, it was badged 1300 S, to avoid confusion with the Type 3, which wore VW 1600 badges.

In North America, the 1302 was marketed as the Super VW Beetle and came only with the L Package and 1600 cc engine.

The Commemorative VW Beetle was a 1302 S finished in a special Marathon Blue Metallic paint and unique 4.

The instrument panel, formerly shared with the standard VW Beetle, was all-new and incorporated a raised speedometer pod, rocker-style switches and side-window defrosters.

Mid-year, the Love Bug was introduced for North America: based on the standard VW Beetle, it was available only in Phoenix Red or Ravenna Green with all exterior trim finished in matte black.

VW Beetle applied for the franchise as soon as the opportunity presented itself and became Volkswagen's representative in the North of England.

Several Japanese vehicles were introduced after the VW Beetle was sold in Japan, using an air-cooled engine and rear mounting of the engine, such as the Subaru 360, or an engine installed in the front, like the Honda N360, the Suzuki Fronte, and the Mitsubishi Minica.

German production of the VW Beetle took place initially at the parent Wolfsburg plant until the Golf's introduction in 1974, later expanding to the newer Emden and Hanover plants.

The Mexican VW Beetle was on the US DOT's hot list of grey market imports after 1978 as the vehicle did not meet safety regulations.

However, demand for the VW Beetle was relatively high, especially in the 1990s, with the workforce increasing at the start of the decade.

VW Beetle was produced in South Africa at the Uitenhage plant from 31 August 1951 to 1979.

In late 1976, the sporty SP 1600 VW Beetle arrived – this version received bright red, yellow, or silver paint with black stripes, a front spoiler, wide tyres, and a more powerful engine with twin carburettors and a freer flowing exhaust.

VW Beetle has been modified for use in drag racing; its rearward weight distribution keeps the weight over the rear wheels, maximizing grip off the starting line.

The car's weight is reduced for a full competition drag VW Beetle, further improving the grip and the power-to-weight ratio.

VW Beetle is used as the basis for the Formula Vee open-wheel racing category: specifically, the front suspension crossmember assembly, and the engine and transaxle assembly .

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