"Volkswagen Beetle", "VW Bug", and the "People's Car" - the wondrously well-known and moreover long lived car has acquired many nicknames over its reign. It is normally called a legend in the history of automobiles. The German company has just introduced the 2012 Vw Beetle, that is inspired by the first Beetle that helped Americans fall in the love with the affordable European car. In the light of this event, here are a few interesting information about the renowned car that you might be astonished to know:
Adolf Hitler set the foundations for the "People's Car"
It was Adolf Hitler who, as part of the plan to eliminate Germany's unemployment problem, asked Ferdinand Porsche to design a car that will typically carry two adults, and even three children in the back seat. Another one of Hitler's design ideas was for the car to look like a beetle, and that's where the nomenclature of Beetle came from. Plus, the family car was priced in a way that almost all people could afford it by some or the other savings scheme.
The old model of Beetle was produced for sixty five long years
Old Beetle made a record breaking sixty-five years- production of the same model from 1938-2003. There's something about the "People's Car" that people across decades have admired. Still, when we have the New Beetle and 2012 Beetle, many Beetle aficionados insist on collecting older models which are still seen to have a charisma in them.
20.9 million Beetles have been built
Around 20 million Beetles are already built till now, out of which around 15 million were built in Germany alone.
Old Beetle knew how to swim
As if a floating-smooth ride on land was not enough, the old Beetle used mechanics like sealed floor pans that kept it afloat for some time in water as well.
6 Herbie movies were made on the Beetle
Herbie, the character played by a 1963 fabric roofed Beetle, has a total of six movies made after that. It's been the perfect hero on silver screen catching robbers, winning races, plus starring opposite some of the best names in Hollywood like Julie Sommars and Bruce Campbell.
Beetle's engine was not designed by Ferdinand Porsche
The flat four air-cooled engine of the Beetle was designed by a young Austrian engineer, and not by the chief designer of the car Ferdinand Porsche. The same engine was used to drive the Bug for 6 decades.
New Beetle has a front engine unlike the old one
As seen suitable by automobile technologists of the 1930s, Beetle was fitted with a rear engine back then. Still, the new 2012 Vw Beetle comes with an engine in the front, and so gives a mileage around 32 mpg.
The 2012 Convertible maintains the essence of the Beetle
Although far more sporty and so definitely more superior in performance along with features, the 2012 Convertible Beetle too has the charm that the Bug is always known to have. It is a reminiscent of the mid-twentieth century coupe which the world has loved.
Beetle Convertible is an improvement of the New Beetle
Compared to New Beetle, the 2012 Beetle is bigger in size, and so has roomier interiors to enhance the coziness of passengers. A lot of space for storage is present which can be expanded by simply bending the rear seatbacks forward.
The small car is a tough bird when it comes to safety
Beetle 2012 comes with amazing security features like the Intelligent Crash Response System and also airbags. Thus you are safe while riding your beloved Volkswagen Bug.
Thus, by now you must have got all the inside secrets about Volkswagen Bug. If you're looking forward to get one, visit the nearest Volkswagen car dealer today.
All You Need To Know About VW Bug