Volkswagen Beetle 65685 226067233 2008-07-16T18:03:28Z 66.194.2.9 /* The many names of the Type 1 */ {{about|the original Volkswagen Beetle|the automobile introduced in 1997|Volkswagen New Beetle}} {{Infobox Automobile |image = [[Image:1961Beetle.jpg|250px]] |name = Volkswagen Type 1 |manufacturer = [[Volkswagen]] |aka = Volkswagen Beetle,<br>[[#The many names of the Type 1|also see list of international names & nicknames for the Type 1]] |assembly = [[São Bernardo do Campo]], [[Brazil]]<br>[[Puebla, Puebla]], [[Mexico]]<Br>[[Wolfsburg]], [[Germany]]<BR>[[Hanover]], [[Germany]]<Br>[[Emden]], [[Germany]]<Br>[[Ingolstadt]], [[Germany]] <br>[[Osnabrück]], [[Germany]]<br>[[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]<br>[[Uitenhage]], [[South Africa]]<br>[[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]<br>[[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]] |layout = [[RR layout]] |class = [[Subcompact]]<Br>[[Economy car]] |body_style = <br>2-door [[sedan]]<br>2-door [[convertible]] |production = 1938—2003<br>21,529,464 built<br>(of which 15,444,858 in Germany, incl. 330,251 Cabriolets,<ref name="Oswald"> {{cite book |title=Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 3 |last= Oswald |first=Werner |year=2003 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3-613-02116-1 |pages=39}}</ref><br> and ≈ 3.350.000 in Brazil) |successor = [[Volkswagen Golf]]<br>[[Volkswagen Jetta]] (Sedan)<br>[[Volkswagen New Beetle]] |layout = [[rear-engine design|rear engine]],<br>[[rear-wheel drive]] |engine = 1.1 L [[Flat-4|H4]]<br> 1.2 L [[Flat-4|H4]]<br>1.3 L [[Flat-4|H4]]<br>1.5 L [[Flat-4|H4]]<br>1.6 L [[Flat-4|H4]] |transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] transaxle,<br>3-speed clutchless manual ("[[Autostick]]") }} The '''Volkswagen Type 1''', more commonly known as the ''' Beetle Bug''', is an [[economy car]] produced by the [[Germany|German]] auto maker [[Volkswagen]] from 1938 until 2003. Although the names "Beetle" and "Bug" were quickly adopted by the public, it was not until August of 1967 that VW itself began using the name Beetle in marketing materials in the US. In Britain, VW never used the name Beetle officially. It had only been known only as either the "Type I" or as the 1100 (eleven-hundred), 1200 (twelve-hundred), 1300 (thirteen-hundred) or 1500 (fifteen-hundred), which had been the names under which the vehicle was marketed in [[Europe]]; the numbers denoted the vehicle's engine size in cubic centimetres. In 1998, many years after the original model had been dropped from the lineup in most of the world (production continued in [[Mexico]] until 2003), VW introduced the "[[Volkswagen New Beetle|New Beetle]]" (built on a [[Volkswagen Golf Mk4]] platform) which bore a cosmetic resemblance to the original. Its peculiar styling, underpowered motor, rough ride, and high noise levels compared to modern vehicles might have made it a market failure. In its day, though, it was more comfortable and powerful than most [[Europe]]an small cars, and ultimately the longest-running and most-produced automobile of a single design (a record that will not take long to be beaten by its younger "cousin" the [[Volkswagen Type 2|Type-2]] Bus or Kombi, which is still in production in [[Brazil]], with the same basic characteristics of the first series). It remained a top seller in the US, even as [[rear-wheel drive]] conventional subcompacts were refined, and eventually replaced by [[front-wheel drive]] models. The Beetle car was the benchmark for both generations of American [[compact car]]s such as the [[Chevrolet Corvair]], and [[subcompact car]]s such as the [[Ford Pinto]] and [[Chevrolet Vega]]. In the international poll for the award of the world's most influential [[Car of the Century|car of the twentieth century]] the Beetle came fourth after the [[Ford Model T]], the [[Mini]], and the [[Citroën DS]]. ==History== ==="The People's Car"=== [[Image:Nazi Volkswagen.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Advertisement from c.1939 says "Five [[German reichsmark|mark]] a week you must put aside - If in your own car you want to ride!"]] Starting in 1931, [[Ferdinand Porsche]] and [[Zündapp]] developed the "Auto für Jedermann" (car for the everyman). This was the first time the name "[[Volkswagen]]" was used. Porsche already preferred the [[flat-4]] [[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] [[internal combustion engine|engine]], but Zündapp used a [[water cooling|watercooled]] [[Straight-5|5-cylinder]] [[radial engine]]. In 1932, three [[prototype]]s were running.<ref>[http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_keywords=porsche+type12&search_terms=all TheSamba.com :: Gallery Search<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> All of those cars were lost during the war; the last in 1945 in [[Stuttgart]] during a bombing raid. [[Image:Porsche Typ12 Model Nuremberg.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Porsche Typ 12, 1931/32 by [[Zündapp]] [[Nürnberg]]]] In 1933, [[Adolf Hitler]] submitted sketches{{Fact|date=October 2007}} to [[Ferdinand Porsche]] of a proposed "Volks-Wagen" (the name means "people's car" in German, in which it is pronounced [ˈfolksvagən]), a basic vehicle that should be capable of transporting two adults and three children at a speed of {{auto km/h|100|0}}. The ''People's Car'' would be made available to citizens of the [[Third Reich]] through a savings scheme at 990 [[German reichsmark|Reichsmark]], about the price of a small [[motorcycle]] at the time (an average income being around 32RM/week).<ref>[http://www.lasteditionbeetle.com/history.php Volkswagen Beetle History 1938 to 2003 (abridged)]</ref> Hitler's commissioning of the "People's Car" did not necessitate a clean-sheet car design. Ferdinand Porsche formulated the original parameters of a car design similar to the final production version of the Beetle several years before it was commissioned, and had built working prototypes by 1931. [[Erwin Komenda]], Porsche's chief designer, was responsible for the design and styling of the car. Production only became financially viable, however, when it was backed by the Third Reich. War broke out before the large-scale production of the "People's Car" could commence, and manufacturing capacity was shifted to producing military vehicles. Production of civilian VW automobiles did not start until after the [[Allied Occupation Zones in Germany|post-war occupation]] began. ===The military Beetle & production up to 1945=== [[Image:MHV VW Käfer Typ 82 01.jpg‎|180px|thumb|Kommandeurwagen]] Initially called the ''Porsche 60'' by Ferdinand Porsche, it was officially named the '''KdF-Wagen''' when the project was launched. The name refers to [[Strength Through Joy|Kraft durch Freude (''Strength Through Joy'')]], the official [[leisure]] organization in the [[Nazi Germany|Third Reich]]. It was later known as the Type 1, but became more commonly known as the Beetle after [[World War II]]. Prototypes appeared from 1931 onwards; the first prototypes were produced by [[Zündapp]] in [[Nuremberg|Nürnberg]], [[Germany]], the Porsche Type 12. Next prototype series (Porsche Typ 32) was built in 1933 by [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]], another motorcycle company. In October 1935 the first Type 60 was ready. 1935 the testing of the "V 3" started. The "VW30" Prototypes awaited further testing in 1937. All cars already had the distinctive round shape and the [[Volkswagen air cooled engine|air-cooled]], rear-mounted [[internal combustion engine|engine]], except for the Type 12, Zündapp preferred a 5-cylinder radial watercooled engine. The factory had only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939. Consequently, the first volume-produced versions of the car's [[chassis]] were military vehicles, the ''[[Volkswagen Kübelwagen|Kübelwagen]]'' Typ 82 (approx. 52,000 built) and the amphibious ''[[Volkswagen Schwimmwagen|Schwimmwagen]]'' Typ 166 (approx. 14,000 built). The car was designed to be as simple as possible mechanically, so that there was less to go wrong; the aircooled 985&nbsp;cc {{convert|25|hp|kW}} motors proved especially effective in actions of the German [[Afrika Korps]] in Africa's [[desert]] heat. This was due to the built-in oil-cooler, and the superior performance of the [[flat-4]] engine configuration. The innovative suspension design used compact [[torsion beam suspension|torsion bars]] instead of [[coil spring|coil]] or [[leaf spring]]s. The city of [[Wolfsburg|Stadt des KdF-Wagens]] was created in [[Lower Saxony]] in 1938 for the benefit of the workers at the factory. A handful of [[civilian]]-specific Beetles were produced, primarily for the [[Nazism|Nazi]] [[elite]], in the years 1940–1945, but production figures were small. In response to [[gasoline]] shortages, a few wartime "Holzbrenner" Beetles were fueled by wood [[pyrolysis]] [[Wood gas generator|gas producers]] under the hood. In addition to the ''Kübelwagen'', ''Schwimmwagen'', and handful of others, the factory managed another wartime vehicle: the ''Kommandeurwagen''; a Beetle body mounted on the Kübelwagen chassis. A total of 669 Kommandeurwagens were produced until 1945, when all production was halted due to heavy damage sustained in Allied air raids on the factory. Much of the essential equipment had already been moved to underground [[bunkers]] for protection, allowing production to resume quickly once hostilities had ended. ===Conflict with Tatra=== Much of the Beetle's design was inspired by the advanced [[Tatra (car)|Tatra]] cars of [[Hans Ledwinka]], particularly the [[Tatra T97|T97]]. This car also had a streamlined body and a rear-mounted 4 cylinder horizontally-opposed [[air-cooled]] engine. The Tatra V570, a prototype for a smaller car, also shows quite a resemblance to the later Volkswagens. According to the book Car Wars, Adolf Hitler called the Tatra 'the kind of car I want for my highways'.<ref>Car Wars, Jonathan Mantle, Arcade Publishing, 1997</ref> In the same book, it is said that Ferdinand Porsche admitted 'to have looked over Ledwinka's shoulders' while designing the Volkswagen.<ref>Car Wars, Jonathan Mantle, Arcade Publishing, 1997</ref> Tatra launched a lawsuit, but this was stopped when [[Germany]] invaded [[Czechoslovakia]]. At the same time, Tatra was forced to stop producing the T97. The matter was re-opened after [[World War II|WW2]] and in 1961 [[Volkswagen]] paid Tatra 3,000,000 [[Deutsche Mark]]s in compensation. These damages meant that Volkswagen had little money for the development of new models and the Beetle's production life was necessarily extended. Tatra ceased producing passenger cars in 1950, then resumed again in 1954 as a manufacturer of large luxurious cars and limousines under various Communist governments in [[Czechoslovakia]]. Even its last limousines showed similarities to the Beetle, as they were rear-engined and air cooled. Tatra is now a truck manufacturer. ===Post-war production & boom=== In occupied Germany the Allies followed the [[Morgenthau plan]], to remove all German war potential by complete or partial pastoralization. As part of this, in the [[Industrial plans for Germany]], the rules for which industry Germany was to be allowed to retain were set out. German car production was set at a maximum of 10% of the 1936 car production numbers.<ref>[http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/marshall/large/documents/index.php?pagenumber=10&documentid=22&documentdate=1947-03-24&studycollectionid=mp&nav=OK]</ref> The Volkswagen factory at [[Wolfsburg]] was handed over by the Americans to British control in 1945, it was to be dismantled and shipped to Britain.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2000/mar/18/guardianobituaries]</ref> Thankfully for Volkswagen, no British car manufacturer was interested in the factory; "the vehicle does not meet the fundamental technical requirement of a motor-car ... it is quite unattractive to the average buyer ... To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2000/mar/18/guardianobituaries]</ref> The factory survived by producing cars for the [[British Army]] instead.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2000/mar/18/guardianobituaries]</ref> Allied dismantling policy changed in late 1946 to mid 1947, although heavy industry continued to be dismantled until 1951. In March 1947 [[Herbert Hoover]] helped change policy by stating :"There is the illusion that the New Germany left after the [[Oder-Neisse line|annexations]] can be reduced to a '[[pastoral state]]'. It cannot be done unless we exterminate or move 25,000,000 people out of it."<ref>[http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2008/webarticles/080103_marshallplan.html]</ref> The re-opening of the factory is largely accredited to [[United Kingdom|British]] Army officer Major [[Ivan Hirst]] (1916–2000).<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003260000-2003330476,00.html The Sun newspaper online]</ref> Hirst was ordered to take control of the heavily bombed [[factory]], which the [[United States|Americans]] had captured. His first task was to remove an unexploded bomb which had fallen through the roof and lodged itself between some pieces of irreplaceable production equipment; if the bomb had exploded, the Beetle's fate would have been sealed. Hirst persuaded the British [[military]] to order 20,000 of the cars,<ref>[http://www.lasteditionbeetle.com/history.php Volkswagen Beetle History 1938 to 2003 (abridged)]</ref> and by 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month. During this period the car and its town changed their Nazi-era names to [[Volkswagen]] (''people's car'') and [[Wolfsburg]], respectively. The first 1,785 Beetles were made in a factory near Wolfsburg in 1945. [[Image:1000000th beatle.jpg|thumb|left|The jewled one-millionth VW Beetle]] Following the Army-led restart of production, [[Heinz Nordhoff]] was appointed director of the Volkswagen factory,<ref>[http://www.lasteditionbeetle.com/history.php Volkswagen Beetle History 1938 to 2003 (abridged)]</ref> under whom production increased dramatically over the following decade, with the one-millionth car coming off the [[assembly line]] by 1955. During this Post-war period, the Beetle had superior performance in its category with a top speed of {{auto km/h|115|0}} and 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 27.5 seconds on 7.6 l/100 km (31mpg) for the standard {{convert|25|kW|hp|0}} engine. This was far superior to the [[Citroën 2CV]] and [[Morris Minor]], and even competitive with more modern small cars like the [[Mini]] of the 1960s and later. The engine fired up immediately without a choke, and could only be heard in the car when idling. It had excellent road-handling and was economical to maintain. Although a small car, the engine has great elasticity and gave the feeling of better output than its small nominal size. However, the opinion of people in the United States was not as flattering due to the characteristic differences between the American car market and European car market at the time. [[Henry Ford II]] once described the car as 'A little box'.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} During the 1950s, the car was modified progressively: the obvious visual changes mostly concerned the windows.<ref name=AlleAutosder50er>{{cite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1}}</ref> In March 1953, the small oval two piece rear window was replaced by a slightly larger single piece oval rear window. More dramatically, in August 1957 a much larger full width rear window replaced the oval one. 1962 saw the introduction of a widened cover for the light over the rear licence plate. Towards the end of 1964, the height of the side windows and windscreen was slightly increased giving the cabin a less pinched look: this coincided with a the introduction of a very slightly curved windscreen, though the curve was barely noticeable. The same body appeared during 1966, with a 1300 cc engine on place of the 1200 cc engine: it was only in the 1973 model Super Beetle that the beetle acquired an obviously curved windscreen. The flat windshield remained on the standard beetle. During the 1960s and early 1970s, innovative [[advertising]] campaigns and a reputation for reliability and sturdiness helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the [[Ford Model T]], when Beetle No. 15,007,034 was produced on [[17 February]] [[1972]]. By 1973, total production was over 16 million, and by [[23 June]] [[1992]], there had been over 21 million produced. The Beetle is the world's best-selling car design; though more units of the [[Toyota Corolla]] brand have been sold, there have been many total redesigns of the Corolla, each amounting to a new car design with the same name. ===Diesel=== In 1951, Volkswagen prototyped a 1.3 litre [[diesel engine]]. Volkswagen made only 2 air-cooled boxer diesel engines that were not turbocharged, and installed one engine in a [[Volkswagen Beetle|Type 1]] and another in a [[Volkswagen Type 2|Type 2]]. Just for fun, the diesel Beetle was time tested on the [[Nürburgring]] and achieved a 0-60 mph in one minute.<ref name="ltv-vwc.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/ws_aug-sept-2003/diesel-beetle.html|title=The Diesel Beetle|accessdate=2008-04-03|work=ltv-vwc.org.uk}}</ref> <!-- please avoid "picture spam" which causes large spaces in the text and other formatting problems. place large numbers of pictures in galleries and ensure that a picture doesn't cause disruptive formatting due to another picture placed a few lines below in the text --> <gallery> Image:Volkswagen Type 1 black 1938.jpg|The very first Volkswagen type 1 ever produced Image:1949 VW Beetle.jpg|Rear, restored 1949 VW Bug Image:VW Standard,Bj1950 2005-09-17 .jpg|VW Standard of 1950 Image:1961BeetleRear.jpg|Rear, restored 1961 VW Bug with sunroof Image:DSCN076.JPG|Dashboard of a Mexican 1969 VW Bug Image:1949 VW dash .jpg|Interior of a 1949 VW Bug Image:2005-09-17 VW 1303 Cabriolet Karmann.jpg|VW 1303 Cabriolet Image:InfraredBeetle.png|A VW 1303LS from Turkey (photo infrared) </gallery> ===Introduction to the UK=== The first Volkswagen Beetle in the UK was sold in June 1953, in Sheffield, by Jack [http://www.gildervolkswagen.co.uk Gilder]. He had been fascinated by both the design and engineering of the Beetle when he came across one in Belgium during the war. He applied for the franchise as soon as the opportunity presented itself and became Volkswagen’s representation in the North of England. ===VW Beetle 1967=== {{Infobox Automobile |name = 1967 Volkswagen Beetle |engine = 1500 cc [[OHV]] [[Flat-4|H4]], {{convert|40|kW|hp|0}} @ 4200 rpm, {{auto Nm|105|0}} @ 2600,<br> bore 83 mm,<br> stroke 69 mm,<br>comp ratio 7.5:1 |transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] |wheelbase = {{auto mm|2400|1}} |length = {{auto mm|4079|1}} |width = {{auto mm|1539|1}} }} The Volkswagen Beetle underwent significant changes for the 1967 model. While the car appeared similar to earlier models, much of the [[powertrain|drivetrain]] was noticeably upgraded. Some of the changes to the Beetle included a bigger engine for the second year in a row. Horsepower had been increased to {{convert|37|kW|hp|0}} the previous year, and for 1967 it was increased even more, to {{convert|40|kW|hp|0}}. On US models, the output of the electrical generator was increased from 180 to 360 watts, and upgraded from a 6-volt to a 12-volt system. The clutch disc also increased in size, and changes were made to the [[flywheel]], braking system, and rear [[axle]]. New standard equipment included two-speed [[windscreen wiper]]s, reversing lights, a driver's armrest on the door, locking buttons on the doors, sealed-beam headlights, and a driver's side exterior mirror. It weighed {{auto kg|840|0}}, which was a typical weight for a [[Europe]]an car at this time. Top speed was {{auto km/h|130|0}}. ===Beetle derivatives=== [[Image:Volskwagen Beetle 3.jpg|left|thumb|180px|VW 1303 (1973)]] [[Image:VW-LIM-1011.jpg|left|thumb|180px|1953 Volkswagen LIM 10/11 with custom bodywork.]] [[Image:Rometsch1956.JPG|left|thumb|180px|1956 [[Volkswagen Rometsch|VW Rometsch Cabriolet]]]] While production of the standard Beetle continued, a Type 1 variant called the '''Super Beetle''', produced from model year 1971 to 1979 (1302s from 1971 to 1972, and 1303s from 1973 onwards), offered [[MacPherson strut]] front suspension, better turning radius (despite having a 20 mm (3/4 in) longer wheelbase), and approximately double the usable space in the front luggage compartment, due to the stretched "nose" of the vehicle and relocation of the spare tire from a vertical to a horizontal position. 1972 Super Beetles had a slightly larger rear window, larger front brakes, and four rows of vents on the engine lid. The tail lights now incorporated reversing lights. The front seats incorporated headrests, and the steering wheel was changed to four spokes for safety reasons. A socket for the VW Dealer Diagnosis was fitted inside the engine compartment. In 1973, a padded dashboard, 2-speed heater fan, higher rear mudguards, a more aerodynamically curved windscreen and larger tail lights (nicknamed 'elephant's feet') were added. 1975 and later Super Beetles had rack and pinion steering, and a larger license plate lamp housing below the engine lid. The front indicators were moved into the bumper bars on European models. Carburetors were replaced by Air Flow Control (AFC) Fuel Injection on U. S. and Canadian Beetles, a derivative of the more complex Bosch fuel injection system used in the Volkswagen Type III. In 1976, the Super Beetle and 1300 were discontinued (though convertibles remained Super Beetles) and replaced with an 'improved' standard Beetle with 1600cc engine, IRS rear suspension, front disc brakes, blinkers in the front bumpers, elephant's foot tail lights and rubber inserts in the bumper bars. The Super Beetle (VW 1302 and 1303 series, also called Type 113) is not the only Type 1 variant; other VWs under the Type 1 nomenclature include the [[Karmann Ghia]] and the [[Volkswagen Thing|VW 181]] utility vehicle, as well as the [[Volkswagen Brasilia|Brasilia]] and the Australian [[Volkswagen Country Buggy|Country Buggy]] (locally produced in Australia using VW parts). The Type 2 transporter ("bus") is based on the Beetle [[Volkswagen Group T platform#T1|T1 platform]] with very similar mechanicals, but with a box shaped body and driver placed over the front wheels. This variant would inspire a generation of compact vans, and later minivans in capacity and size. Also, as mentioned below, Type 3 and Type 4 were all developments of the original Porsche design. ===Decline and fall=== [[Image:Beetle 1300.jpg|thumb|VW 1300 (1972)]] Though extremely successful in the 1960s, the Beetle was faced with stiff competition from more modern designs. The Japanese had refined rear-wheel-drive, water-cooled, front-engine small cars to where they sold well in the [[North America]]n market, and Americans introduced their own similarly sized rear-wheel-drive [[Ford Pinto]], [[Chevrolet Vega]], and [[AMC Gremlin]] in the 1970s. The [[supermini car|superminis]] in [[Europe]] adopted even more efficient transverse-engine front-wheel-drive layouts, and sales began dropping off in the mid 1970s. There had been several unsuccessful attempts to replace the Beetle throughout the 1960s; the [[VW Type 3|Type 3]], [[VW Type 4|Type 4]], and the NSU-based [[VW K70|K70]] were all failures. The over-reliance on the Beetle meant that Volkswagen was in financial crisis by 1974. It needed German government funding to produce the Beetle's replacement. Only when production lines at Wolfsburg switched to the new watercooled, front-engined, [[front-wheel drive]] [[VW Golf|Golf]] designed by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] in 1974, (sold in [[North America]] as the ''"Rabbit"'') did Volkswagen produce a car as successful as the Beetle. The Golf would be periodically redesigned over its lifetime with only a few components carried over between models, while the Beetle used only minor refinements of its original design. The Golf did not kill Beetle production, which continued in smaller numbers at other German factories until [[January 19]], [[1978]], when mainstream production shifted to [[Brazil]] and [[Mexico]], markets where low operating cost was more important. The last Beetle was produced in [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]], Mexico, in mid-2003. The final batch of 3,000 Beetles were sold as 2004 models and badged as the ''Última Edición,'' with [[whitewall tires]], a host of previously-discontinued chrome trim, and the choice of two special paint colors taken from the [[New Beetle]]. Production in Brazil ended in 1986, then restarted in 1993 and continued until 1996. [[Volkswagen]] sold Beetle sedans in the [[United States]] until August 1977 (the Beetle convertible a.k.a. Cabriolet was sold until January 1980) and in [[Europe]] until 1985, with private companies continuing to import cars produced in Mexico even after production of the beetle had ended. The Beetle outlasted most other automobiles which had copied the rear air-cooled engine layout such as those by [[Subaru 360|Subaru]], [[Fiat]], [[Renault]], [[Chevrolet Corvair|General Motors]] and [[Tatra (car)|Tatra]]'s limousines, which ended production in 1999. Porsche's sport coupes which were originally based on Volkswagen parts and platforms continue to use the classic rear engine layout (but water-cooled and moved forwards) in the [[Porsche 911]] series, which remains competitive in the 2000s. ===The Beetle in other countries=== Other countries produced Beetles from CKD (complete [[knockdown kit]]s): Ireland, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, and Nigeria have assembled Beetles under license from VW.<ref>Volkswagens of the World</ref> Beetles produced in [[Mexico]] and [[Brazil]] had several differences: *Brazilian production started in 1950 with parts imported from Germany. In 1959 the cars were 100% made in Brazil. The car was made until 1986. In 1993 production started again but only continued till 1996. The Brazilian version retained the 1958-1964 body style ([[Europe]] and U.S. version) with the thick door pillars and small quarter glass; this body style was also produced in [[Mexico]] until 1971. Around 1973, Brazilian Beetles were updated with the 1968+ sheetmetal, bumpers, and 4-lug rims; although the 5-stud rims and "bugeye" headlights were produced as late as 1972 (the base VW 1200 was similar to the 1964 European/U.S. 1200). Brazilian CKD kits ([[complete knock down]]) were shipped to [[Nigeria]] between 1975-1987 where Beetles were locally produced. The Brazilian-produced versions have been sold in neighboring South American nations bordering Brazil, including Argentina and Peru. *The Brazilian VW Bug have four different sized engines: 1200 cc, 1300 cc, 1500 cc, and, finally, 1600 cc. In the 1970s, Volkswagen made the SP-2 (derived from the VW Beetle chassis and powertrain) that used an air-cooled 1700cc VW engine that was a regular 1600cc engine with its engine displacement increased by the usage of large diameter cylinders. In Brazil the VW Bug never received electronic fuel injection (the air-cooled flat four engine from the Beetle received this, but to equip solely the VW Kombi later models), but, instead, retained single or double-single carburetion throughout its entire life, although the carburetion specs differs from engines of different years and specs. *The production of the air-cooled engine finally ended in 2006, after more than 60 years. It was last used in the Brazilian version of the VW Bus, called the "Kombi", and was replaced by a 1.4-liter water-cooled engine with a front-mounted cooling system. [[Image:mexbug.JPG|right|thumb|180px|1990s-era VW Beetle (seen in the Houston, TX area)]] [[Image:IMG 8115.JPG|right|thumb|180px|1980s-era VW Beetle with Mexican plates]] *Beetles produced in [[Mexico]] (since 1964) have the larger windshield, rear window, door and quarter glass between 1971-2003; and the rear window from the 1965-71 German built models was used on the Mexican models from 1971 to 1985, when it was replaced with the larger rear window used on 1972 and later German built Beetles. This version, after the mid-1970s, saw little change with the incorporation of electronic ignition in 1988, an anti-theft alarm system in 1990, a [[catalytic converter]] in 1991, as well as electronic [[fuel injection]], hydraulic valve lifters, and a spin-on oil filter in 1993. The front turn signals were located in the bumper instead of the Beetle's traditional placement on top of the front fenders from the mid 1970s on, as they had been on German Beetles sold in Europe of the same time period. Independent importers continued to supply several major countries, including [[Germany]], [[France]], and the [[United Kingdom|UK]] until the end of production in 2003. Devoted fans of the car even discovered a way to circumvent [[United States]] safety regulations by placing more recently manufactured Mexican Beetles on the [[floorpan]]s of earlier, US-registered cars. The Mexican Beetle (along with its Brazilian counterpart) was on the US DOT's (Department of Transportation) hot list of gray market imports after 1978 as the vehicle did not meet safety regulations. A U.S. citizen who drives a Mexican Beetle across the US-Mexico border into the US is likely to end up with the vehicle seized by the [[US government]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}} In the Southwest [[United States]] ([[Arizona]], [[California]], [[New Mexico]], [[Texas]]), Mexican Beetles (and some [[Volkswagen Type 2#T2|Brazilian T2c Transporters]]) are a fairly common sight since Mexican nationals can legally operate the vehicle in the United States, provided the cars remain registered in Mexico. The end of production in [[Mexico]] can be attributed primarily to [[Mexican]] political measures: the Beetles no longer met [[emissions standards]] for [[Mexico City]], in which the ubiquitous Beetles were used as taxicabs; and the government outlawed their use as taxicabs because of rising crime rates, requiring only four-door vehicles be used. [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2003_3667279]. In addition, [[Volkswagen]] (now Germany's largest automaker) has been attempting to cultivate a more upscale, premium brand image, and the humble Beetle, with its US$7000 base price, clashed with this identity, as seen in the [[Volkswagen Touareg|Touareg]] and [[Volkswagen Phaeton|Phaeton]] luxury vehicles. Finally, consumers had begun showing a preference for more modern cars such as the [[Volkswagen Pointer]] and [[Volkswagen Lupo]]. ===Beetles In Australia=== From 1953, Volkswagen Beetles were found on Australian roads. Many Australian or "Australasian" Beetles had accessories or modifications made for the Australian road{{Fact|date=January 2008}}. There was also an Australian-built vehicle based on the Type 1 known as the [[Volkswagen Country Buggy]]. ==Beetle customization== {{seealso|Dune buggy}} The Beetle is popular with [[car modding|customizers]] throughout the world, not only because it is cheap and easy to work on, but because its iconic looks can be personalised and the flat four motor is so tunable. Its very ubiquity makes even subtle changes noticeable. ===Exterior=== There are many popular Beetle styles, from a [['Cal Looker']] to a [[Rat rod]]. They vary between themselves, but are very similar in many ways. Also, the California Look has changed during the 30+ years of its lifespan. The most typical way to customise the exterior is to change the wheels and lower the suspension of the car. The favorite wheels are period-style EMPI 5- or 8-spokes, Speedwell BRMs, or [[Porsche]] factory rims like Fuchs from the classic 911. One of the original California Look modifications is to replace or remove the bumpers and trim, either to give a cleaner look or to reduce the [[curb weight]]; if bumpers are removed, pushbars are common. The stock bumpers are usually chromed or polished, sometimes painted or powder coated. There are many clubs dedicated to 'Cal Look', including the DKP ('Der Kleiner Panzers', or in English, 'The little Tanks') in the USA, which was one of the first clubs dedicated to true 'Cal Look' cars. There are also currently many big 'Cal Look' VW clubs based in Europe, including the DAS (Das Autobahn Scrapers) in Belgium, the DFL (Der Fieser Luftkühlers) in Germany and the JG54 Grünherz (Greenhearts) in the UK. For a 'Resto Cal' look, a roof rack and similar accessories can be added. There are many other [[aftermarket]] parts that can be added to the Beetle, including wing mirrors, chrome wipers, stone guards, mud flaps, and badges. Rear light and front indicator lenses can also be changed. [[Image:CalLookVolkswagenKurtVanPerre.jpg|thumb|180px|left|VW Beetle modified in 70s California Look style]] For a more custom look, smoothing and shaving the body (removing trim and other parts) is done, including door handles, badges and driprails, and replacing taillights and front indicators with smaller, simpler units. Frenching (tunnelling) headlights, frequent in non-VW customs and rods, is not common, but dramatic lowering is, and unusual hood and trunk hinging are commonplace. Another exterior modification that is seen occasionally is for the roof to be chopped and lowered just like other non bettle hot rods and customs, giving a meaner, lower and sleeker appearance. [[Image:1966beetle.jpg|thumb|right|180px|violet 1966 beetle]] ===Interior=== Many Beetle owners try to keep their Beetle interior stock. Others will fit a [[sound system]], which usually consists of a [[head unit]] and possibly some speakers and a [[subwoofer]] (usually mounted in the front of the car). Aftermarket steering wheels can be added along with auxiliary gauges. For a true race look, the interior can be stripped and a full [[roll cage]] installed, along with [[bucket seats]] and race harnesses. ===KitCars=== The VW Type 1 chassis, being easily separated from its original body without removal of engine, transmission, or suspension, has provided the basis for countless custom re-bodyings, usually of fiberglass and usually replicating other, less humble vehicles. Mercedes, MG and Porsche replicas are among the popular choices. These "kit cars", although derided by many for their lack of authenticity, provide to their owners a much cheaper, often more-reliable means of enjoying a dream vehicle. ===Power=== [[Image:Volvoinbeetle.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Volvo B18|Volvo B18/B20]] engine fitted to VW Beetle for racing.]] Because most parts of the flat-4 engine other than the crankcase are bolted on, they are easily exchanged with larger or more high-performance items. The standard VW engine has been modified from 1600 cc (the largest factory-produced Type 1 engine) to configurations well over 2400 cc using larger piston/cylinder kits, turbochargers, and other performance-enhancing parts. A variety of other powerplants, including the VW Type 4 (also used in the [[Porsche 914|914]]) 2-liter flat four, [[Chevy Corvair]] and [[Porsche 911]] flat sixes have been used. Even the turbocharged flat 4s from [[Subaru]] or [[Alfa Romeo]] have been used as well. Kits for installing [[Rover V8 engine|Rover]] [[V8 engine]]s have also been available. These variants tend to be mated to the stronger Type 2 (Bus, Combi) transmission. Dual carb setups are very common on Beetles (especially the 1600 cc dual port engine) as well as [[fuel injection|EFI]]. Also a wide range of exhaust systems are available. "Stingers" (equal-length, tuned [[headers]] with straight pipes or [[glasspack]]s) are popular in nearly any type of custom Beetle. The world record for fastest and quickest four cylinder 1/4 mile drag vehicle is held by a type 1 based engine built and maintained by vwparadise of San Marcos California. Its official run is 6.60 @ 203.94 MPH quarter-mile although unofficially the quickest & fastest has been a 6.53 at 209.98 MPH. [http://www.vwparadise.com/content.wws?fname=company.html&cookieID=29C0Z967D29C0ZAZ3R&clientid=vwparadise] ==Beetles in motorsport== ===Drag racing=== The Beetle is widely used in [[drag racing]]{{fact|date=April 2008}}; its rearward ([[RR layout|RR]]) 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 beetle, further improving the grip and also the power to weight ratio. Combined with the beetle's RR layout, [[wheelie]]s can be achieved easily, but time "in the air" worsens 1/4 mile time due to drag. To prevent this, "wheelie bars" are added. ===Formula Vee=== The Beetle is also used as the basis for the [[Formula Vee]] [[open-wheel]] racing category—specifically, the front suspension crossmember assembly (the [[shock absorber]] mounts are sometimes removed, depending on regulations in the class), and the engine and [[transaxle]] assembly (usually the earlier swing-axle type, not the later double-jointed axle). The beetle components are used because of their availability, low cost and durability. The front suspension geometry and rear suspension geometry (almost always used with a z-bar on the rear) lend the cars a benign handling character, ideal for beginners.{{fact|date=April 2008}} ===Uniroyal Fun Cup=== The VW Beetle's chassis is used in the [[Uniroyal Fun Cup]], which includes the longest continuous motor-race in the world, the 25 Hours of Spa. It is an affordable entry-level series that gentleman drivers race. ===Rally and Rallyecross=== Especially the Austrian sole distributor Porsche Salzburg ( now Porsche Austria) seriously entered the VW in local and European contests in the 60's and early `70s. Starting with the VW 1500 in the mid `60s the peak of their racing performance was achieved with the VW 1302S and VW 1303S ( known as the Salzburg Rally Beetle) from `71 to ´73. The vehicles were entered in such famous races as TAP(Portugal), Austrian Alpine, Elba,Acropolis etc. Drivers were top performers such as [[Tony Fall]](GB), Guenter Janger(AUT),[[Harry Källström]](S),[[Achim Warmbold]](D), Franz Wurz(A)etc. The engines were maxed out 1600's delivering 125hp later on mated to a Porsche 914 5-speed. Victories were achieved in `73 on Elba for overall and class, Acropolis for class ( 5th overall), Austrian championship `72, `73 January Rallye for overall and class. Rally of 1000 minutes for overall 2nd (1st in class) The fuel crisis along with the arrival of the Golf(Rabbit) put an end to the unofficially by VW supported rally days in `74. All vehicles either used for training or actual racing were sold off to privatiers and keep racing with noticeable results until the early `80s. ===Trans Am=== Beetles were used in [[Trans-Am]] in the two liter class from 1966-67 and again in 1972. ==New Beetle== {{main|Volkswagen New Beetle}} [[Image:volkswagen.beetle.new.750pix.jpg|thumb|180px|right|2000 VW New Beetle]] At the 1994 [[North American International Auto Show]], Volkswagen unveiled the [[J Mays]]-penned "Concept 1", a concept car with futuristic styling deliberately reminiscent of the original Beetle's rounded shape. Strong public reaction convinced the company to move the car into production, and in 1998, 20 years after the last original Beetle was sold in the [[United States]], [[Volkswagen]] launched the [[New Beetle]], designed by Mays and [[Freeman Thomas]] at the company's [[California]] design studio. New Beetles are manufactured at VW's Puebla, Mexico assembly plant where the last line of factory-built air-cooled Beetles were removed from production. The New Beetle, with its (water-cooled) engine at the front of the car driving the front wheels, is related to the original only in name, general shape and some styling cues. In an attempt to stem a trade in grey market imports into the UK, in 1998 VW made available a limited number of New Beetles to those who had signed up to a web campaign a few years earlier. These, officially the first New Beetles in the UK, were available in full UK spec (albeit only in left-hand drive), and started to arrive in the UK in April 1999. Right-hand drive versions arrived at the beginning of 2000, and have sold fairly well. ==Phase-out of the original Beetle== [[Image:Volkswagen Bubbla sista bilen.jpg|thumb|180px|left|The final original beetle (No. 21,529,464)]] By 2003 Beetle annual production had fallen to 30,000 from a peak of 1.3 million in 1971. On [[July 30]], [[2003]], the final original VW Beetle (No. 21,529,464) was produced at [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]], [[Mexico]], some 65 years after its original launch, and an unprecedented 58-year production run since 1945, the year VW recognizes as the first year of non-Nazi funded production. VW announced this step in June, citing decreasing demand. The last car was immediately shipped off to the company's museum in [[Wolfsburg, Germany]]. In true Mexican fashion, a [[mariachi]] band serenaded the last car. There was also in Mexico an advertising campaign as a goodbye for the Beetle. For example, in one of the ads was a very small parking space on the street, and many big cars tried to park in it, but could not. After a while, a sign appears in that parking space saying: "Es increíble que un auto tan pequeño deje un vacío tan grande" (It is incredible that a car this small leaves such a large void). There were other ads with the same nostalgic tone.<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5829730936290376436 Mexican VW Beetle TV Ad<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Engine:Fuel injected (Bosch Digifant) 4 Cyl horizontally opposed,1584cc, 50hp,98.1 Nm(132ft-lb)@2200rpm, 3-way catalytic converter *Rated fuel milage: 32.5 US mpg *Max cruising speed: 130kph(81mph) *Brakes: front disc, rear drum *Passengers: Five *Tank: 40&nbsp;L (10.57 <!-- US or imperial? -->gallons) *Colors: Aquarius blue, Harvestmoon beige. ==Alternative uses for VW Beetle engines== {{main|Volkswagen air cooled engine}} [[Image:Volkswagen motor cut 1945.JPG|thumb|251 px|VW Beetle engine, rear view]] The [[Air-cooled engine|aircooled]] 4-cylinder [[Boxer engine|horizontally opposed cylinder]] or "[[Flat-4|flat four]]" Beetle engines have been used for other purposes as well. Especially interesting is its use as an [[experimental aircraft]] engine. This type of Beetle engine deployment started in the sixties. A number of companies still produce aero engines that are VW Beetle engine derivatives: [[Limbach]], [[Hapi]], [[Revmaster]] and others. [[Kitplane]]s or plans, notably the [[Evans VP-1 Volksplane|Volksplane]], owner-built experimental aircraft were specifically designed to utilise these engines. Up until 2001, Beetle engines were also used to run several of the ski lifts at the [[Thredbo]] ski resort in NSW, Australia. In Australian remote [[opal]]-mining communities, VW motors are used as [[air compressor]]s for air-powered equipment. Two cylinders on one side are used as a motor while the other side of the head is modified to produce a flow of [[compressed air]]. The opal fields are very dry and hot, so an air-cooled compressor has an advantage over a [[liquid cooled]] one. The Dunn-Right Corporation of Anderson, SC offers a conversion kit. In Europe, Beetle engines were used to power mobile water-pumps used by the fire-department. These pumps came in the 1950s, and some are still in use today. The rotating Mercedes-Benz emblem atop the [[Europa-Center]] in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]], is driven by a Beetle engine.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The [[ice resurfacer|Zamboni HD]] ice resurfacing machine was powered by a [[liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]]-powered Beetle engine. Zamboni was the world's leader in LPG conversions for the Beetle engine. The ''Amazonas'', a [[Brazil]]ian-built motorcycle manufactured from 1978 to 1990, used a modified 1600-cc Beetle engine and gearbox. With a dry weight that could top 350 kg (800 pounds), the Amazonas was billed as the world's biggest (heaviest) production [[motorcycle]]. The VW transmission's reverse gear, rare in a two-wheeled vehicle, was a useful feature in such a heavy motorcycle. There was later the Kahena with similar construction. Many three-wheel motorbikes, known as "[[Tricycle#Motorized tricycles|trike]]s", have been built with Beetle engines. The engines as well as the [[manual transmission]] and some suspension components are also commonly used in construction of [[dune buggy|dune buggies]] and [[sandrail]]s. In the United States, many farmers are still using the [[AGCO_Corporation]] "SPRA-COUPE" for fertilizer and pesticide spraying, which were manufactured with VW aircooled engines from the 1960's until the mid 1990's. ==Media references, pop culture== <!-- Please do not add references to the New Beetle, this article is for the original beetle --> [[Image:Flower Beetle.JPG|right|thumb|180px|Flower Covered Beetle in the greenhouse of [[Jardin botanique de Montréal|Montreal Botanical Gardens]]]] Like its contemporaries, the [[Mini]] and the [[Citroën 2CV]], the Beetle has been regarded as something of a "cult" car since its 1960s association with the [[hippie]] movement and surf culture; and the obvious attributes of its unique and quirky design. (For example, the Beetle could float on water thanks to its sealed floor pans and overall tight construction.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}) Much like their [[Volkswagen Type 2|Type 2]] counterparts, Beetles were psychedelically painted and considered an [[ancestor]] of [[art cars]]. One of the logos used by the Houston Art Car Klub incorporated a Beetle with a cowboy hat. The Beetle has made numerous appearances in Hollywood films, most notably ''[[The Love Bug]]'' comedy series ([[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]) from 1968 to 2005, starring as "[[Herbie]]", a pearl-white, fabric-sunroofed 1963 Beetle—racing number 53. ''[[The Arrival (film)|The Arrival]]'' (1996, science fiction) featured a few Mexican Beetles in the film (in one scene [[Charlie Sheen]]'s character hides in the notoriously cramped trunk of a Beetle). In Woody Allen's ''[[Sleeper (film)|Sleeper]]'' (1973), a Volkswagen is still able to start after having been abandoned in a cave for 200 years. ("They really built these things, didn't they?") In the comedy hit ''[[What's Up, Doc? (1972 film)|What's Up, Doc?]]'' (1972), [[Ryan O'Neal]]'s and [[Barbra Streisand]]'s characters, after a climactic car chase, end up floating in San Francisco Bay in their Beetle (see note on construction, previous paragraph). In all but one instance of the cartoon show [[The Real Ghostbusters]] the Ghostbusters secretary [[Janine Melnitz]] owned a Beetle convertible. First seen as a red car in the second season episode "Beneath These Streets" it became pink in all future appearances. The [[Kenner]] made toy line for the show also included a licensed yellow Beetle convertible that transformed into a ghost. The Toy was called the "Highway Haunter" and seated 2 figures and came with a removable "engine" in the rear that had a ghost designed on the opposite side. [[Image:TeddyVWad.jpg|right|thumb|180px|''[[National Lampoon]]'''s fake Volkswagen Beetle print ad mocking [[Ted Kennedy]]'s [[Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick incident|Chappaquiddick incident]].]] Also made famous is the [[Autobot]] [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]], a canary yellow Beetle in the toy, comic and cartoon line ''[[Transformers Series|The Transformers]]''. The [[Throttlebot]], Legends and [[Generation 2]] toy line versions of Bumblebee also transformed from robot to VW Beetle, though the Throttlebot-type was called [[Goldbug (Transformers)|Goldbug]] as it was a golden 1975 Super Beetle. (Note, too, that the G2 toy was painted anodized gold in color.) In other countries, 'Bumblebee the Beetle' has been released in various colors. For the [[2007 in film|2007]] [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' film]] director [[Michael Bay]] decided that Bumblebee would not become a Beetle to avoid comparisons with Herbie,<ref name="news etc">{{cite news|first=Tony |last=Horkins|title=Transformers|pages=14-5|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=[[2007-03-29]]}}</ref> nevertheless the Beetle made a cameo appearance in the live-action movie next to the Autobot's new form the [[Chevrolet Camaro]]. During the early 1970s, the Beetle was used for advertisements where graphic art ads were decaled on newly-sold Volkswagens. A marketing consultant (Charlie E. Bird) in the [[Los Angeles]] area came up with the "Beetleboard" concept. Both standard and Super Beetles were used, until the original Beetle ceased production in Europe in 1978. This trend was resurrected after the [[New Beetle]] entered production.<ref>The Beetle Book</ref> The Volkswagen Beetle has built a large fan base among off-road types in the form of the [[Baja Bug]]. Today, there are many online clubs and communities that keep Beetle aficionadoes on touch. Even the sighting of a Volkswagen Beetle is cause for violent fun in the car-sighting game known as "Slug-Bug" or ''[[Punch Buggy]].'' [[Image:VW-Vincent.jpg|right|thumb|180px|VW-Vincent, 1999, ARTwork by Heikenwaelder Hugo]] The Beetle is also one of the most commonly reproduced cars as a toy or model of all sizes. [[Hot Wheels]] and [[Matchbox (toy company)|Matchbox]] produced many near stock and outrageously styled and customized drag racing and modified dune buggy beetles. Most manufacturers of toy cars have included a Beetle in their line at one time or another. {{Fact|date=November 2007}} A Beetle appears on the cover of [[The Beatles]]' iconic album ''[[Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road]]''. The Volkswagen Beetle parked next to the zebra crossing belonged to one of the people living in the apartment across from the recording studio. After the album came out, the number plate was stolen repeatedly from the car. In 1986, the car was sold at an auction for $23,000 and is currently on display at the Volkswagen museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. In the book series "[[The Dresden Files]]" by [[Jim Butcher]], the lead character Harry Dresden drives a pieced together VW Bug named the "Blue Beetle." The famous "Think Small" Beetle ad campaign of the early 1960s is referenced in ''[[Mad Men]]'' as a potential threat to traditional advertising. The [[Fremont Troll]] sculpture, under a bridge in Fremont, Washington has an actual VW Beetle clutched in his hand. In the [[1968 in film|1968]] movie comedy ''[[Bye Bye Braverman]]'' and the [[1964]] novel upon which it is based, ''[[To an Early Grave]]'', a cramped Beetle is used as the vehicle by a quartet of [[Jewish]] literary [[intellectual]]s traveling from [[Greenwich Village]] to [[Brooklyn]] to attend the funeral of a deceased member of their circle, and its Nazi heritage is repeatedly a subject of discussion. In 2008, Volkswagen launched a series of commercials set to a talk show theme with a black Beetle named Max (voiced by [[Bronson Pinchot]] speaking with a German accent) as the show's host. Featured guests included supermodel [[Heidi Klum]], basketball coach [[Bob Knight]], [[Napster]] creator [[Shawn Fanning]], former [[Space Shuttle]] commander [[Richard A. Searfoss]] and actor [[David Hasselhoff]]. Another one was used to introduce the [[Volkswagen Tiguan]] crossover vehicle. The Beetle placed at #1 in the ''[[Top_Gear_%28current_format%29|Top Gear]] Book of Crap Cars'' in 2004. Also, in the [[Top_Gear_%28series_10%29|African Adventure Special]], any presenter who's car broke down would have had to complete the trek across Botswana in a Beetle, reflecting their mutual loathing of the car. ==The many names of the Type 1== The VW Beetle is known under many names in many countries, usually local renderings of the word "beetle". Among these are: *'' Жук (Zhuk) Bug also in Russia (Former Soviet Union) *'' Volkswagen Sedan *'' Volkswagen Bug *''Coccinelle'' (ladybird) or ''Kever'' in [[Belgium]] *''"Vocho" or "Vochito" in [[Mexico]] *''Fusca'' in [[Brazil]] and [[Paraguay]] *''Escarabajo'' in [[Argentina]], [[Colombia]], [[Paraguay]], [[Spain]], [[Uruguay]] and [[Venezuela]] *''Peta'' ("turtle") in [[Bolivia]] *''Folcika'' in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] *''Sedan'', then ''Fusca'' (popularly, ''Fusquinha'' that means ''Little Fusca'') in [[Brazil]] *''Косτенурка'' (Kostenurka) (meaning turtle) or ''Бръмбар'' (Brambar) (meaning bug) in [[Bulgaria]] *''Bug, Beetle, Choupette or Coccinelle (ladybug)'' in [[Canada]] *''Escarabat'' (means "beetle") in [[Catalan language|Catalan]] *''Moncho'' in [[Chile]] *''Jiǎ Ké Chóng'' (甲壳虫) (means "beetle") in [[China]] *''Cucarron'' (Scarab) or “Pichirilo” in [[Colombia]]. *''Buba'' in [[Croatia]] *''Brouk'' in [[Czech Republic]] *''Boblen'' (the bubble) in [[Denmark]] *''Cepillo'' ("Brush") in [[Dominican Republic]] *''Escarabajo'' or ''Pichirilo'' in [[Ecuador]] *خنفسة - Pronounced khon-fesa (Beetle in Arabic) in [[Egypt]] *''Põrnikas'' (means "beetle") in [[Estonia]] *''Kuplavolkkari'' (kupla meaning bubble) in [[Finland]] *''Coccinelle'' (ladybug) in [[France]] and [[Haiti]] *''Буба'' in the [[Republic of Macedonia]] *''Jin-guei che'' (金龜車) in [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] *''Käfer'' in [[Germany]], [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] *''Σκαθάρι'' (Scathari meaning beetle) or ''Σκαραβαίος'' (Scaraveos meaning [[Scarab]]) in [[Greece]] *''Cucaracha'' or ''Cucarachita'' (Cockroach or little cockroach) in [[Guatemala]]. *''Bogár'' (meaning "bug") in [[Hungary]]. *''Cucarachita'' (little cockroach) in [[Honduras]]. *''Bjalla'' in [[Iceland]] *''Kodok'' (frog) in [[Indonesia]] *''Folex,(قورباغه ای)means the frog [[Iran]] *''Agroga'' عكروكة (froggy) in [[Iraq]] *''חיפושית'' ("Hipushit," beetle) or ''Bimba'' in [[Israel]] *''Maggiolino'' (beetle) or the unofficial name of ''Maggiolone'' (can indicate ''Super Beetle'') in [[Italy]] *''Kabuto-mushi'' (カブトムシ) (means "[[Japanese rhinoceros beetle|drone beetle]]") in [[Japan]] *'' Kifuu '' in [[Kenya]] *''Vabole'' in [[Latvia]] *''Vabalas'' in [[Lithuania]] *''Kura'' (turtle) in [[Malaysia]] *''Sedán, Pulguita (little flea), Vocho or Vochito (sometimes spelled "bocho/bochito") in [[México]] *''Scoro-Scoro'' in [[Namibia]] *''Bhyagute Car'' in [[Nepal]] literally: "Frog Car". *''Kever'' in the [[Netherlands]] *''Catch Fire'' in [[Nigeria]] *''Boble'' (bubble) in [[Norway]] *''Foxi'' or ''Foxy'' in [[Pakistan]] *''"Pendong", kotseng kuba'' (literally, 'hunchback car') /"pagong" (turtle),"Ba-o", turtle in Cebuano dialect "Boks" in the [[Philippines]] *''Garbus'' (literally, 'Hunchback') in [[Poland]] *''Carocha'' in [[Portugal]] *''Volky'' in [[Puerto Rico]] *''Broasca ''/'' Broscuţă '' (little frog/froggy) or ''Buburuza'' (ladybird) in [[Romania]] *''Фольксваген-жук'' in [[Russia]] *''Буба'' or ''Buba'' in [[Serbia]] *''Volla'' - Pronounced Folla in [[South Africa]] *''Chrobák'' in [[Slovakia]] *''Hrošč'' in [[Slovenia]] *''Volks / Beetle/ ibba (turtule) '' in [[Sri Lanka]] *''Mgongo wa Chura” (Frog Back) or ''Mwendo wa Kobe” (Tortoise Speed) in [[Swahili]] *''Bagge'' (short for ''skalbagge'', beetle), ''bubbla'' (bubble) or ''folka'' in [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] *'' Kobe in [[Tanzania]] *''รถเต่า'' - Pronounced Rod Tao (turtle car) in [[Thai language|Thai]] *''Kaplumbağa'' or ''tosbağa'' (meaning turtle) or "vosvos" in [[Turkey]]. *''con bo'' in [[Vietnam]] *''Bhamba datya in Shona'' - Datya is frog in the vernacular from [[Zimbabwe]] *'' Poncho *'' Popoy *'' Punchbug *'' Maricon in [[Peru]] * Tortuga in [[Panama]] ==References== {{reflist}} *{{German|VW Käfer|[[2008-02-29]]}} ==See also== * [[Volksrod]] * [[Cal Look]] * [[Steyr 50]] The Austrian version ==External links== <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================--> <!--| DO NOT ADD MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A COLLECTION OF |--> <!--| LINKS. If you think that your link might be useful, do not add it here, |--> <!--| but put it on this article's discussion page first or submit your link |--> <!--| to the appropriate category at the Open Directory Project (www.dmoz.org)|--> <!--| and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. |--> <!--| |--> <!--| Links that have not been verified WILL BE DELETED. |--> <!--| See [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details |--> <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================--> {{commons|Volkswagen Beetle}} * {{dmoz|Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Volkswagen/Air_Cooled/Beetle/}} * [http://sleepers.no-ip.org/Clube/Volkswagen/Beetle/ Clube Volkswagen Beetle (Fusca, Carocha)] * [http://www.Bugardi.com Bugardi Bugs] * [http://www.VolksRide.com VolksRide] * [http://www.thesamba.com The Samba] * [http://www.fuscaultimaserie.com.br Last Edition] * [http://www.superbeetles.com SuperBeetles] * [http://www.fuscaclubabc.com FUSCA CLUB ABC - SAO PAULO - BRAZIL] * [http://www.vwclub.org/ Volkswagen Club of America] * [http://www.vvwca.com/ Vintage Volkswagen Club of America] * [http://www.folcika.ba/ Klub ljubitelja buba - Sarajevo] * [http://www.allaircooled.com Air-Cooled Beetles & more] * [http://www.dubnuts.co.uk/ Vintage VW Owners Club - UK] * [http://www.caveperu.net/ Vintage VW Owners Club Peru - PE] * [http://www.vwmadeinireland.com History of VW manufacturing in Ireland] {{VW}} {{Volkswagen (Europe) timeline 1950-1979}} {{Volkswagen (North America) timeline 1950-1979}} [[Category:Volkswagen vehicles|Beetle]] [[Category:Industrial design examples]] [[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]] [[Category:Rear-engined vehicles]] [[Category:1930s automobiles]] [[Category:1940s automobiles]] [[Category:1950s automobiles]] [[Category:1960s automobiles]] [[Category:Hatchbacks]] [[Category:1970s automobiles]] [[Category:1980s automobiles]] [[Category:1990s automobiles]] [[Category:2000s automobiles]] [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1938]] [[Category:Vehicles with boxer engines]] {{Link FA|pt}} [[ar:خنفساء (سيارة)]] [[cs:Volkswagen Brouk]] [[de:VW Käfer]] [[es:Volkswagen Escarabajo]] [[fr:Volkswagen Coccinelle]] [[ko:폴크스바겐 비틀]] [[id:VW Kodok]] [[it:Volkswagen Maggiolino]] [[he:חיפושית (מכונית)]] [[ms:Volkswagen Beetle]] [[nl:Volkswagen Kever]] [[ja:フォルクスワーゲン・タイプ1]] [[no:Volkswagen Type 1]] [[pl:Volkswagen Garbus]] [[pt:Volkswagen Fusca]] [[ro:Volkswagen Beetle]] [[ru:Фольксваген Жук]] [[sk:Volkswagen Chrobák]] [[fi:Volkswagen Kupla]] [[sv:Volkswagen Typ 1]] [[tr:Volkswagen Beetle]] [[zh:大众甲壳虫]]