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Converj: the "Cadillac" FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

luxury coupe concept continues GM's leadership in the electrification of the automobile

Porsche Cayenne equips with three-liter V6 turbo diesel engine with 240 hp (176 kW) supplied by Audi AG, a subsidiary of VW. Cayenne Diesel consumption average is 9.3 liters for 100 kilometers, with 244 g CO2 per kilometer. Spontaneous reaction gas and high torque of the diesel engine to deliver the required level of performance for all sport-utility vehicle, as the Cayenne. Substantial torque than 550 meters Newton as a sports chassis dynamics and provides a high degree of control offer driving pleasure which is typical of Porsche.

The Jaguar Auto Company was not always known as that agile cat on the path. Back in 1922, the firm was established as the Swallow Sidecar Company. They where in the beginning focused in the design, development and production of sidecar motorbikes. It absolutely was only soon after the second Globe War that the firm has formally changed its name to Jaguar. It holds its factory and headquarters in England to this day. In 1968, the company formed a merger with the British Motor Corporation before it was rule by Leyland Motors.


Jaguar invariably is recognized for its output of fine luxury vehicles. These cars and trucks have continually been seen as a form of a status symbol exactly where typically the elite plus the nicely off demographic of society own a unit. True to its form, the logo or the emblem with the Jaguar is depicted like a leaping Jaguar; in which the front paws are curled and ready for take-off even though the face is fierce as if it were definitely about to attack prey. Four-door saloon designs ended up the ordinarily generated types; these were often utilized as an executive car or truck or the comparable to an estate car. However, they've launched 2-door coupes and sport scars that had been normally opted for by the younger demographic. The Jaguar is known largely for elegance of the designs in the cars. The most commonplace individuals who decide to have a two-door or convertible can be those of bachelors and single women. The convertibles and several similar models have been common to the function and added attract the public.


Though this firm is acknowledged for creating luxury vehicles, it has likewise took part in motor sports. Jaguar debuted inside Australian Grand Prix in 2000. It's completed a total of 85 races to the team. Yet, in 2004, Red Bull purchased the team following Jaguar racing completed their final season.


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 I experienced earlier a 45 Hp Ford Fiesta, 15 many years outdated and consequently also the initial repairs powering me. In wintertime, I experienced issues with the commence every so often and not really enjoyable to drive. I used to be in initially spot by a number of auto dealers to advertise on the Seat Ibiza, but then closed them again, simply because you 1st again from 1,80 m headroom no longer enjoys, and in the finish of the VW approximately the same charges cash, even though you've got to say feasible that right here much better processing driving it.


You give us the complete gear of the Instrument for Vw, which a single hopes.

On this volume, the final end result, calculated the automobile dealership, the 15% low cost and helps make able to request a invest in contract, which need to be signed after which it back again once again. In fact, not so challenging to be on all of the formalities, and so forth. but this really is totally defined and is achievable with a tad of skill anything. I also decided to decide up the car in Wolfsburg straight and built it for the og MAG Bonte in Brunswick simply to select up the winter weather wheels, since the shipping would have taken one more forty €, which you can very easily save.

And when you invest in a new Volkswagen, You've got to have pick it up in Wolfsburg. The exhibition in the other cars belonging to Vw (Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, and so on.) is worth seeing along with the surrender in addition to factory tour quite intriguing and fascinating.




You are able to consume extremely nicely there and remain if essential. They agreed to make an appointment and guide a tour and also the relaxation can be a quasi explained for the ground. Very first of all I was impressed aided by the style whether from front, rear or facet, what can I believe that compete within the value array and dimension without other automobile - beware: this can be my feeling!
But if you sit in it after, you wish to obtain no a lot more authentic.



As referred to over, I've in fact selected the Comfortline, which helps make the car or truck seem from the inside just fine and all fittings are created of higher high quality substantially. There can also be a parking support with sensors around the rear and also the front wheel in conjunction with the distance from the displays. Atlanta in the bundle includes sport seats front integrated at the rear of the rear window and each rear aspect windows 65% darkened.


There are 14 inch aluminum wheels to your right to depart the auto appear sporty, and so on. The added stereo speakers make for a excellent sound practical experience with uncomplicated operation of the radio and CD player for audio and mp3 formats. After which it probably the most necessary:

the 102 HP you are able to sense not just when driving, but also pay attention to truly excellent! So far I've done it as much as 200 km / h, but there is still a lot more which naturally now does not desire to spoil it. The sports suspension guarantees optimum grip inside corners and could be a bit more violent movements without the need of issue. All in all just a amazing driving for adequate funds I advise to every person!

One particular company which has managed to maintain its personal against several contenders ranging from luxury marques and sports vehicles to household vehicles is Mazda. Mazda Motors, headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan, has captured a current market of individual car or truck lovers who gravitate in the direction of high-performance, fun and inexpensive vehicles.




The business was founded in 1920. It was once named Toyo Kogyo. Mazda's three-wheel truck production started in 1931. Mazda can be not match to bigger auto business players like the top 3 producers, but it has succeeded in setting itself apart by adding sporty flavor to its cars. Hence, Mazda has gained a following not just while using leisure-oriented industry but also with executives. It has gained acceptance on the elite set that uses various car or truck users.

Mazda introduced its R360 Coupe, a two-passenger auto, in 1960. A year later, it presented the Mazda B-series 1500 compact pickup. The year 1962 marked numerous milestones for the vehicle maker. It commenced local assembly in South Korea, and also introduced the Mazda Carol 600, a four-door passenger vehicle. The Mazda Familia appeared in October 1963.


Mazda knowledgeable a significant sales slump throughout the 1960s. Mazda applied to be part of the Ford group. It partnered with Ford Motor Company within the 1970s in order to survive the American oil crisis.

Other automotive highlights in Mazda's background include the production of the B360/B600 Keicar pickup truck, the Cosmo Sport 110S, the Chantez keicar, the Luce/RX-4 luxurious automobile and also a minivan called Bongo. The launching in the market of the Cosmo in 1976 made a stir. A lot of car aficionados marveled at the luxury design and competitive price. In the course of the 1980s Mazda seasoned a rebirth, with requirement for its 323 and 626 soared inside the U.S. current market. In 1990, the Mazda MX-5 Miata also helped with brand strength and company vigor.

To date, Mazda continues to increase its marketplace reveal. One of its innovations, the Mazda5, is probably one of the most agile minivans in the market.


Do you like super fast sports cars? You will find thesupercars.org very useful for information about exotic sport cars. Make sure to also visit used maserati.

An automatic transmission is just that- automatic, consequently most people tend to pay very little attention to it until a major problem rears its ugly head.

Picture the scenario- you are driving along in the lap of luxury, the satellite radio blaring and the heated seats on. You have become accustomed to the comfort level and great driving experience brought to you by BMW.



You decide to stop at the local convenience store on your way home to grab some ice cream for the kids and a bottle of water for yourself. Upon returning to your car, you start it up, check your rear view mirror, put the shifter in reverse and then the unthinkable happens- the engine just revs as if it is in neutral and the car goes nowhere!

This article deals with the reasons behind an unexpected loss of reverse in certain BMW automatic transmission equipped vehicles, specifically the 3 series and 5 series vehicles that use the ZF5HP19 or steptronic transmission. This includes the popular 323i, 323ci, 325i, 328i, 330i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3 and X5 models well as some others built in the 1999 to present model years.

To eliminate confusion, this does not apply to vehicles equipped with the GM 5L40 E transmission, just the ones with the sometimes problematic ZF5HP19. The 5L40 E has some issues of its own that are beyond the scope of this article but are certainly going to be the subject of another.


The failure rate for these transmissions seems to be very high and is expected to become much more of a problem as time goes by.

Typically, the vehicle is working perfectly while driving forward but when it is put in reverse there is a complete and permanent loss of movement to back up.

Reverse is typically a major feat for any transmission to accomplish- imagine the demands that are placed on a gearbox as it is asked to reverse the torque of your engine so that you can back up your nearly 4000 pound vehicle.

By far, the most common cause of the reverse problem in BMW's is the failure of the D-G clutch drum. Specifically, the snap ring that retains the D or reverse clutch breaks out of the clutch drum resulting in an inability for the clutch pack to apply.


The good news is that there is hope in regards to a proper repair. The factory has released an updated part that so far appears to be a permanent fix for this problem.

In our testing and in conjunction with several hundred successful repairs at our facilities, the new part seems to be metallurgically superior in several ways.

We have found that there is an improved radius area as well as slightly thicker casting. In addition to this, the grove that retains the snap ring is also relocated further away from the edge of the drum.


With this issue addressed and attention to detail in several other areas of the ZF5HP19 unit, the transmission can be repaired to "better than new" condition by a competent transmission rebuilder / remanufacturer. In fact, when properly repaired, the ZF gearbox becomes quite robust and can provide an almost indefinite service life.

This is a tuner that has a priority on brands VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat. Located in Kempten im Allgau, Germany. Discovered by Johann Abt with first degree on race Trophe de l'Avenier. In 2003, his business was continued by his brother Hans Jurgen Abt and Christian Abt. Since 1999, after a victory in Super Touring reinforcements, they decided to participate in the event with the Audi A4 DTM berengsi as the base car. And to commemorate that achievement, made Audi TT-R ABT Sportsline seris in 2002.




 Some claim that a famous ABT AS4-R, based Audi A4 Avant. Using a bi-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with power up to 480 hp. Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine gave the title "That delivers a grocery getter." Next was the Audi R8-R supercharged with features, 2.4-liter V8 engine with power up to 530 hp.

This is a special tuner of BMW and Mini. But also today expanded its on BMW motorcycles. Been around since 1987, where they make high performance components for BMW include the chassis, custom exhaust system, lightweight racing wheels and aero kits. Many of the parts they are officially distributed at BMW dealerships around the world (738 dealers and 45 branch offices).

Among the BMW mania, AC Schnitzer name spelled Have a glorious prestige. One of the best achievements when they are bearing the "Fastest Street Legal BMW Thew IN The World" for the BMW M6 Tension. This is evidenced in Nardo Italy with power tracks 552 hp maximum speed 331.78 km / hr.


Filsosofi AC Schnitzer is a high performance driving performance, safety and reliability. In addition, the AC Schnitzer also makes interior parts made of carbon or aluminum for quality contol panel, steering wheel, pedals and other interior molding

Mercedes-Benz takes a century to build a reputation as the largest luxury carmaker in the world. Likewise, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar and a luxury car brands others began building his reputation in the early 20th century.

Lexus only took a decade to climb to the level occupied by Mercedes-Benz and others that.

Lexus was phenomenal. Not just a shining sales figures, but also numerous awards from all corners of the boost his reputation. That's all the result of hard work to create quality products, supported by marketing strategies sniper and first class customer service.



The emergence of the Lexus can not be separated from the automotive business conditions at that time. Where the Japanese car producers felt it was time to get into the luxury car segment after successful mencipatkan quality mass production cars at competitive prices.


In fact, although the Japanese car brands famous for kehandalnya, but for incoming kelingkaran luxury car brands which are held by Germany, England and America, it is very difficult. To get around that obstacle, it was decided to prepare a new brand specifically for luxury car brands.


Lexus trip since the idea of listening to his name flying now coined, many historical milestones that unfortunately missed. Includes a stumbling block that must be passed.

Challenges Eiji Toyoda

August 1983, Toyota Chairman Eiji Toyoda, Toyota to make sure it was time to ascend to a higher level. In the super-secret meeting, attended by high-ranking Toyota officials-including the strategist and engineer, submitted a brief question, Can we create a luxury car to challenge the best? Answer vigorously not only that but the room echoes resonate in the mind of every person, these challenges must be overcome.

Autumn 1984; Project F1 starts. The letter F stands for flagship and most luxurious sedan one depicted. Chief Engineer Shoiji supported Jimbo and Ichiro Suzuki all general managers and engineers overseeing the development of all aspects of a car, ranging from the handling, braking, traction control, engine, electronics systems and corrosion.


In its development, Jimbo team conducted a study in the USA (May 1985). They met with the dealers in San Francisco, Houston, Miami, and New York to get an idea about the American consumer. Five members of the team sent to Laguna Beach, California to observe the lifestyle and incorporate design concepts to fit the luxury-car buyers in America. This team spent the summer in Southern California and worked with designers at Calty Design, Toyota's American design studios.

The first prototype unit 450 F1 was made in July 1985 successfully. This is the work of 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, engineers 1.400, 2.300 and 220 technicians supporting people. 11 months later the F1 prototype was tested on Autobahn, Germany. Ten months of extensive testing on the streets USA starting September 1986. This test produces improvements in handling and suspension. Also include an audio system and the long distance test. Tests in Sweden generate traction control improvements. F1 final design is approved, after eight failed presentation to management.


Sued the Lexus brand, the award came

January 1988, the Lexus brand and its logo was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A month later his debut at the Chicago Auto Show, also without a car only images of actual car, an intriguing video show and a pinch of general information. This introduction was continued at Atlanta Auto Show and the New York Auto Show. The blue-presume, Lexis, a legal information network, filed a lawsuit against the use of a Lexus. April 1988 filed a lawsuit to court in New York. Lexus continues to be marked with the laying of road stone for the construction Lexus of Columbus in Ohio in August 1988.

November 1988, F1 prototype named the LS 400. LS mean luxury sedans and 400 showed 4.0-liter V8 engine. Smaller version named 250 ES. ES is an executive sedan with 2.5-liter engine. A month later the Lexus took Nakamichi and Pioneer sound system to produce the LS 400. January 1989; LS 400 and ES 250 to debut at Detroit Auto Show. A day later, the Lexus appeared on the Los Angeles Auto Show.


March 1989, the Court lawsuit stir Lexis and Lexus has the right to use that name. The success was greeted with the first units were produced from the factory Lexus LS 400 in Tahara, Japan in May 1989. In the first four months of sales, 2.919 1.216 units of the LS 400 and ES 250 units sold.

Lexus started a new tradition of customer service standards. Just because a customer complained about the cruise control and several complaints about the stop lamp, Lexus decided to recall LS400 sold 8000 units to be examined in December 1989. Dealers contact the customer personally and make improvements quickly. Instead of criticism, even compliments are obtained. Lexus has created a new standard in personal service.

January 1990, Car & Driver magazine put the LS 400 s in the position of the peak at 1990 New Car Buyer s Study. Since then, endless awards given at the Lexus. Among Best Imported Car of the Year from the Motoring Press Association (February 1990), Best Luxury from Motor Week's Drivers' Choice Awards. Peak, topped the Lexus in JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (July 1990). Award of J.D. Power is very prestigious to be subscribed Lexus for years.


May 1991, Lexus SC400 sports coupe launched. In design at Calty Design, California. Starting July Coupe is marketed. Followed by the launch of SC 300 in August and in September 1991menggantikan ES 300 ES 250. This year, Lexus became the biggest-selling imported luxury car in the USA. 71.206 units sold, more than Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

The threat of trade war

January 1993 Lexus introduced the GS 300 luxury sport sedan in Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Show. May 1995, a big threat comes from the U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor will set a 100 percent import duty for certain Japanese luxury cars, including all Lexus models. The proposed new duty for workers in the 7500 Lexus threaten America. 11 hours of negotiations in June 1995 succeeded in reaching an agreement between the USA and Japan as well as an end to the potential trade war.


A month later the Lexus was elected again as the best in JD Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index for the sixth consecutive. No other brand can equal in the history of this research. Lexus sales in August 1995 to recover from the effects of the new duty plan.

January 1996; LX 450 was introduced and became the first Lexus SUV. Only in the two months immediately grab the top best-selling luxury SUV, the Range Rover shifts. September 1996; Lexus ES 300 introduces a new generation of cheaper, although there are additional features. Three months later, this model won the award Top Car Award from the American Automobile Association.

In February 1997 Lexus introduced the concept of Sport Luxury Vehicle (SLV) in the 1997 Chicago Auto Show. SLV combining characters mid-size SUV with the comfort of a luxury sedan and Performance on-road that has not been found in other SUVs. A month later, Lexus announced the production version, named SLV RX300. This model was produced from mid 1998.

Lexus introduced the technology Variable Valve Timing-intelligence (VVT-i) to gain more power in September 1997. Starting from the latest generation GS400/300, LS 400 and SC 400 / 300.


Lexus introduces the LX 470 at Los Angeles International Auto Show in December 1997. Using the new V8 engine, more spacious rooms and a sophisticated suspension height can be arranged. Meanwhile, Lexus sales skyrocketed. Sales in 1997 recorded 20% more than in 1996.

January 1998; RX300 was introduced in the North American International Auto Show. March 1998, LX470 and RX300 started to be marketed in 174 dealers throughout the USA. RX 300 sales immediately shot. December 1998; Lexus best annual sales record in history. Sales reached 156.260 units, up 60% compared to 1997.

Sales skyrocketed

A month later introduced the Lexus IS compact sport sedan at the Detroit Auto Show and will ship mid-2000. For the first sale of the first quarter (January March 1999) Lexus beat out Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lincoln and Cadillac.
Lexus introduced the Lexus Sport Coupe concept at the Tokyo International Motor Show in October 1999. December 1999, its fourth annual Lexus sales record ever made. Sales in 1999 reached 185.890 units or an increase of 19% compared to the previous year. Total sales of Lexus in the USA has more than one million units.


January 2000, Lexus introduced the IS 300 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and LS 430 at North American International Auto Show in Detroit. At the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Lexus introduced a third SUV, GX470. This year, Lexus introduced the RX 330, the second generation RX300.

Lexus seems to see the football lunge sultry BMW 3 series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4. That's why Lexus IS can be revised to better compete with the three heroes of European origin.

Lexus claims this change represents a significant change since the IS was released. IS 2011 will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show 2010.



IS 200d IS 220d will be present to replace. The IS 200d is still using the 2200 cc engine of the IS 220d, but it has been imbued DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). In this case Lexus IS200d sacrificing power and torque. Power and 200d IS 148 Nm and 360 Nm, while the IS 220d 175 hp and 400 Nm. In addition, acceleration 0-100 km / h IS 200d is also 1.3 seconds slower than 8.9 seconds.

Focus Lexus IS 200d is to make the engine more economical and environmentally friendly. Fuel consumption to be 19.61 km / liter, more economical 1.77 km / liter. CO2 emissions 14 IS 200 fewer grams / km, to 134 grams / km. Lexus made a few steps to achieve those goals, such as redesigning the combustion room (combustion chamber), put the injector-injector fuel a new generation of piezoelectric.


Another model is the IS 250. The IS 250 will be sold only in the automatic transmission option. Refreshment happens on the machine. Although still using the previous IS 250 engine, V6, 2500 cc, Dual VVT-i, with the same power and torque of 205 hp and 252 Nm, after all, gasoline consumption and gas emission throw better. IS 250 gasoline consumption to be 11.90 km / liter from 11.24 km / l. CO2 emissions fell from 209 g / km to 194 g / km.

Revisions in the kitchen runway also experienced IS 250C (coupé cabriolet). Now, with gas consumption of 10.87 km / liter, before 10.75 km / liter. CO2 down 6 g / km to 213 g / km. The IS 250 is still holding the previous model engine, V6, 2500 cc, 205 hp and 252 Nm.


If the three models above have reset at the touch of the engine, not two F-Sport IS model. F-Sport IS 250 and IS 200d M-Sport received refresher exterior and interior. The front of the IS F-Sport was rewarded with a grille and spoiler, fog lamp, which is new. Rear spoiler brake lights hangout and its redesigned alloy wheels.

Aura sporty F-Sport IS forwarded to the interior through the steering wheel, the transmission lever, pedal-pedal and the front seat of a sporty leather and Alcantara. Touch of titanium effect can be found on the door trim as well.

In the UK, the price of the Lexus IS begins to U.S. $ 37,830 (IS 200d SE)

If you are looking for anti-bullet car and the best anti-bomb, please come to the Moscow International Motor in 2010. In the event that was held August 25 to 29 that will be used Jaguar xj Sentinel as a place of self-display.

Jaguar xj Sentinel is the ballistic protection level of B7 saloon. Level B7 - bulletproof 12.7 mm - is the highest grade in the protection against bullets, the lowest is B2. So if there is an enemy of your business you are showered with AK-47 rifles, AK-74AP, M16, or M61, just ignore. Even the Sentinel xj body and floor are also anti-bomb 15 kg of TNT. Jaguar guarantee 80 000 km for Jaguar xj Sentinel.



Jaguar xj Sentinel construction made of super strong steel with Kevlar as supporters. Jaguar took Centigon, one of the specialist anti-ballistic car maker, in making the defense. To ensure that xj Sentinel international protection standards, Jaguar xj Sentinel has obtained a certificate from QinetiQ, an independent organization that tests and ballistic bombs.


Jaguar V8 engine wear, 5000 cc, 385 hp, with six-speed automatic transmission. Saloon is capable of weighing 3.8 tons accelerates 0-100 km / h in 9.7 seconds with a top speed of 195 km / hr.

Jaguar has not released a price. However, Jaguar offers a range of individual choices.

Post-war production

 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.




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. 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.” The factory survived by producing cars for the British Army instead.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 annexations can be reduced to a ‘pastoral state’. It cannot be done unless we exterminate or move 25,000,000 people out of it.”


The re-opening of the factory is largely accredited to British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst (1916–2000). Hirst was ordered to take control of the heavily bombed factory, which the 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,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.

Following the Army-led restart of production, Heinz Nordhoff was appointed director of the Volkswagen factory, 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 115 km/h (71 mph) and 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 27.5 seconds on 7.6 l/100 km (31mpg) for the standard 25 kilowatts (34 hp) 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’.[citation needed]

During the 1950s, the car was modified progressively: the obvious visual changes mostly concerned the windows. 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.

VW Beetle 1967

The Volkswagen Beetle underwent significant changes for the 1967 model. While the car appeared similar to earlier models, much of the 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 37 kilowatts (50 hp) the previous year, and for 1967 it was increased even more, to 40 kilowatts (54 hp).

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 wipers, 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 840 kg (1852 lb), which was a typical weight for a European car at this time. Top speed was 130 km/h (81 mph).


Declines And Fail



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 American market, and Americans introduced their own similarly sized rear-wheel-drive Ford Pinto, Chevrolet Vega, and AMC Gremlin in the 1970s.


The 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 Type 3, Type 4, and the NSU-based 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 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, 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, Fiat, Renault, General Motors and 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.