Unveiling the Iconic Beetle: Top 10 Fun Facts About Volkswagen You Never Knew!

1. Camping in Style with Westfalia-Werke

When Volkswagen decided to "camp it up" with their vans, they knew the best way to add a pinch of spice to the nomadic lifestyle was by getting a little help from their friends at Westfalia-Werke: The first Westfalia camper conversion was completed in 1951, and this symbiotic relationship lasted until 2003, providing us with some of the most iconic mobile homes in automotive history.
Source => mortonsonthemove.com

2. Secret Reserve Fuel Tap in Beetle

Talk about a hidden gas-tery: The classic VW Beetle has a secret reserve fuel tap, accessible by flipping a lever under the dashboard like something straight out of a spy movie! The serious reveal: When fuel levels fall too low, this clever contraption unlocks an extra 1.3 gallons of fuel, serving as your very own automotive knight in shining armor on those desperate quests for a gas station.
Source => thesamba.com

Did you know that way back in 1974, the innovative Zele 1000 electric car was turning heads with its boxy design and impressive 50-mile range? Discover the charm of this ahead-of-its-time city car! 🚗⚡

=> Fun Facts about Cars

3. Beetle's Makeover in 2012

Straight outta Nazi Germany, now with a flatter roof and a GPS for all your road trip needs – but alas, no flower vase: The iconic VW Beetle went through a noteworthy makeover in 2012, boasting a sleeker design, luxurious materials, a roomier trunk, and three engine options including a 170-horsepower gas engine, a 200-horsepower turbocharged engine, and a fuel-efficient diesel engine.
Source => eastbaytimes.com

4. Volkswagen's Dark Forced Labor Past

Volkswagen: the Beetle's much darker history than its cute, bubbly exterior lets on. The secret ingredient to their early success? Free, forced labor: During its early history, Volkswagen heavily relied on forced labor, including prisoners from concentration camps and foreign civilians. The company even had its own on-site camps and has since provided reparations to former forced laborers.
Source => encyclopedia.ushmm.org

5. The Red Terror: Antarctic Beetle Adventure

Before the Polar Express, there was the chilly Beetle: In 1963, Antarctica 1, a Volkswagen Beetle, fearlessly braved the icy tundra of Antarctica in temperatures that plunged to 52 degrees below zero, trekking over 2,400 kilometers in 12 months. Affectionately re-christened as the "Red Terror", it was the first production car to reach the frozen continent, playing chauffeur for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions and their scientific endeavors as well as frolicking in moments of "warm" reprieve.
Source => actualidadmotor.com

6. Wolfsburg: The Castle that Named a City

Knights, castles, and Volkswagens, oh my! Wolfsburg is much more than just the German automaker's headquarters: In fact, the city was originally named after Wolfsburg Castle, a 13th-century structure built by the noble von Bartensleben family. Initially called Stadt des KdF-Wagens due to the Volkswagen plant, it wasn't until after World War II, on May 25, 1945, that the city council decided to honor the historical castle by renaming the town Wolfsburg.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. The Birth of the Iconic Type 2 Kombi

You could say Ben Pon, a Dutch Volkswagen importer, went from "parts" to "hearts" with his idea of a uniquely designed vehicle: The Volkswagen Type 2, aka Transporter or Kombi, was initially meant to transport parts, but from 1950 to 1967, it was produced as a light commercial and surprisingly endearing passenger van. Over 9,000 Type 2s were produced in their first year alone, making it not only a quirky story but also a pioneering vehicle in European and American forward-control van designs.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Groovy, Eco-Friendly I.D. Buzz

Feeling the buzz just like a hipster sippin' a soy latte in a solar-powered coffee shop, Volkswagen took one groovy trip down Electric Avenue in 2017: Their I.D. Buzz concept vehicle debuted at the North American International Auto Show, boasting 369 horsepower, all-wheel drive, electric range of 600 kilometers, and intricate suspension for premium comfort, making it one electrifying ride for tree-huggers and speed demons alike.
Source => netcarshow.com

9. The Rise of Rear-Engine Cars

Buckle up for a groovy trip down memory lane: The iconic Volkswagen Beetle was the cool big brother to a whole family of rear-engined wonders like the Type 2 'Bus', the Karmann Ghia, and more – so popular that rear-engine car production zoomed from 2.6% to 26.6% in Europe between 1946 and 1956.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. The Mighty Autobianchi A112 Abarth

Before Mario and Luigi revved up their engines and stormed the racetrack, a lesser-known Italian mascot vroomed its way into the annals of automotive history: behold the mighty Autobianchi A112 Abarth! This feisty little hatchback raced into the world in 1971, blazing a trail as the first hot hatch - performance enhanced, sporty, and utterly splendid. The Volkswagen Golf GTI may have become the poster child for hot hatches, but it was the A112 Abarth that started the engine of this beloved genre.
Source => drive.com.au