Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Volkswagen Beetle derivatives

While production of the standard Beetle continued, a Type 1 variant called the Super Beetle, produced from model year 1971 to 1979, 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. The Super Beetle was improved in 1973 to include a padded dashboard and a more aerodynamic curved windshield.

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 VW 181 utility vehicle, not to mention the Brasilia and the Australian Country Buggy (locally produced in Australia using VW parts).

The Type 2 transporter is based on the Beetle platform with very similar mechanicals. Also, as mentioned below, Type 3 and Type 4 were all developments of the original Porsche design.

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