At the beginning, Ferdinand Porsche considered his two-stroke engine to be the most economically feasible solution for a small and reasonably priced automobile. After numerous attempts and tests, a four-cylinder Boxer engine with air cooling was used, which has, in principle, remained the same until today. The first Volkswagen engine intended for series production, with basic dimensions of 70 x 64 millimeters for bore and stroke, still had a working volume of 985 cubic centimeters. With a compression ratio of 5.6 : 1 and a rated speed of 3000 rpm, this engine reached 22.5 hp. Particularly conspicuous is the design of the housing for the engine and transmission, in light alloy pressure die-casting. In the military version of the Kübelwagen, which got its name from the bucket seats, and the Schwimmwagen, or amphibian car, the engine capacity was increased to 1131 cubic centimeters, which raised the power to 25 hp.
After 1945, the development of the engine was characterized by the transition to super-light Elektron - around 90 percent magnesium alloy - for the engine and transmission housing. Furthermore, enlarging the engine capacity to 1192 cubic centimeters and reworking the cylinder heads later resulted in a power increase to
34 hp. The acceleration time from 0 - 100 km/h was an impressive 35 seconds for the Beetle 1200.
The population's increasing prosperity and higher demands resulted in the development of more powerful engines. Volkswagen therefore designed a 1.5-l Boxer engine early on. This closely resembled the already established 1.2-l engine, but had a cooling blower with rear exit outlets to the crankshaft instead of out the top. This made the entire engine flatter and allowed the new model to integrate a flat, deep cargo area over the low-slung power plant. An engine capacity of 1493 cubic centimeters resulted from the basic measurements of 86 x 69 mm. With a compression ratio of 7.2 : 1 and 3,800 rpm, the Beetle reached 45 hp
The next step towards more power output was made with the 1.5-litre boxer engine. It developed 44 hp at 4,000 rpm. The 30 PICT Solex down-draught carburettor was fitted with an automatic choke to replace the manual choke. This 1500 Beetle from 1965 had a top speed of 125 km/h.
Five years later, the 1.6-litre boxer engine with a power output of 50 hp at 4,000 rpm was launched. This engine was constantly modernised. For example, in Mexico its carburettor was fitted with an altitude sensor that ensured that, despite Mexico's mountainous terrain, the engine always had the optimum air-fuel mixture and adhered to the emission standards.
In 1988 the 1.6-l engine was converted from contact-controlled to electronic ignition. A clear improvement in the emission levels was achieved with the introduction of the catalytic converter without Lambda probe in the fall of 1990.
In 1993, the sedan 1600 received its last technical improvements. The engine was given a fuel injection system and the cylinder head was given hydraulic valve lifters. At the same time, the catalytic converter without Lambda probe was replaced by one with a Lambda probe. After this technical rework, the Mexican Beetle complied with the relevant environmental standards, namely Euro-3 Exhaust Emission Standard and US norm Tier1, which applies in Mexico.
Design and equipment
In the Beetle's history from 1945 until today, there were only a few years in which no changes were made to the body. The archetypical Volkswagen is characterized by the underbody, which can be separated from the body and is largely load-bearing, by the Boxer construction with the rear engine built in lengthwise, by air cooling and by rear-wheel drive.
The importance of the Porsche design is in its clear objective: four-seater, sustained speed of 100 km/h, low price - these are the minimum demands placed on a car at this time. But above all, it was the compressed, streamlined form that Ferdinand Porsches put into it his design, gained from his knowledge of the still-young field of aerodynamics.
The first generation Volkswagen was conceived and planned as a unified model. But with the start of the economic uptrend, there came the first export models of the Beetle. In particular, these were fitted with better equipment, a diverse range of colors and chrome ornamentation. Furthermore, the load-bearing underbody offered independent body builders the chance to use the mass produced base as the starting point for elegant custom bodies.
Although the Beetle always preserved its shape over the years, it reacted sensibly to social and technical developments. Using only slight design modifications, it adapted, inside and out, to the changing spirit of the times and to the discoveries of modern automobile technology.
From the original "Pretzel Beetle" through today's "Mexico Beetle", there has been a wealth of modifications over almost six decades. The follow overview presents the development of the classic Volkswagen from 1945 until today.
The most important visible modifications to the VW Beetle from 1945 until today
1945 to 1949: Sedan
1949: Export model, high gloss paint, chrome ornamental strips, front trunk lock opens from inside
1950: No-draft ventilation (recess in the side windows), production start of the sunroof
1951: Ventilation flaps on the sides
1952: Tires 5.60 - 15, vent windows, modified bumpers and horns, two brake lights combined with tail light und reflectors, hinged swivel windows in doors on export model
1953: "Pretzel window" replaced with larger oval window, center strip removed
1955: Dual exhaust, PVC sunroof, new brake, tail and reflector lights on rear fender, lights positioned higher
1957: Larger rear window and windshield, new shape of rear hood, license plate light with bathtub-shaped diffusion lens, redesigned instrument panel
1958: Larger side mirror
1959: Fixed door handles and pushbuttons, 65 percent larger trunk
1960: Windshield washer, asymmetric low beams, turn signals
1961: Two-chamber tail light
1963: Steel sliding sunroof, wide housing for the license plate light. Modified shape of the front turn indicators
1964: Enlarged window areas, windshield wipers in rest position left, engine hood with push button closing
1965: Standard model 1200 A receives 34 hp engine, VW 1300, perforated disc wheels, flat wheel caps
1966: Standard model 1300 A replaces 1200 A, VW 1500, wider rear track, modified rear hood, modified license plate light, narrower ornamental strips, new door locks
1967: "Economy Beetle" VW 1200 with 34 hp engine, fresh air ventilation, three-point attachment for seat belt on all seats, plastic operating buttons, reinforced bumpers, external fuel filler neck on the right side
1968: Modified fuel filler neck cover
1969: Modified rims
1970: Introduction of models 1302 and 1302 S, 1302 also as convertible, in addition, 1302 sedan with larger trunk and modified front, engine power 50 hp, front suspension struts
1971: Improved ventilation, additional air slots in engine hood, larger rear window
1972: "Panorama Beetle" VW 1303: panorama window, larger tail lights.
1973: The convertible 1303 is presented
1974: Turn indicators integrated into front bumper :
1975: VW 1200, bumpers painted black, black fender weather strip, VW 1200 L, chrome-plated bumpers with rubber strips, chrome-plated hubcaps, back-up lights, forced air ventilation
1976: VW 1200 L from Mexico: chrome-plated bumpers und hubcaps, reversing lights, forced air ventilation, upgraded equipment with padded control panel and adjustable headrests on the front seats, three-point automatic front seat belts, static lap belts in the rear, heated rear window and belted tires
1979: Replacement of ornamental hubcap with dust cap
1980: Introduction of the 2-spoke steering wheel, integrated headrests for front seats
1982: Return to ornamental hubcaps, adjustable headrests
1984: Removal of ventilation slits in the front hood and control knobs on the control panel
1985: Introduction of anti-theft security measures
1986: Re-introduction of the dust caps with wheel nut covering
1988: Inclusion of the Golf steering wheel; engine compartment lighting, electronic ignition :
1989: Rear-view mirror attached to windshield, movable sun visor on passenger side:
1990: Control panel change, removal of one exhaust pipe with closing panel modification, dual circuit brake system
1991: Automatic seat belts and lap belts in rear, warning lights for dual circuit brake system
1992: Black side mirrors, bumpers in car color, special models, for example, Beetle Summer (green and blue paint), one exhaust pipe
2003: "Última Edición"