The Volkswagen Beetle planning a comeback… again

Palm Beach: Volkswagen cars, particularly the Beetle, seem to rise and fall in popularity. The most recent “remake” of the Volkswagen Beetle started in 1998 and was greeted with wide-open arms, but by 2003 the public desire to own a Beetle had again declined. However, Volkswagen is yet again designing a new version of the Beetle to be sold across the nation, from LA to Palm Beach. Used VW Beetles are for the most part off the roads now and VW has set out to change this fact.
The remake of the Beetle is significant because the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic vehicles in the history of automobiles. In fact, in 1999 an international poll seeking to judge the most influential car of the twentieth century ranked the VW Beetle fourth behind the Model T Ford, the Mini, and the Citroen DS. Not including the newest version that will soon be produced, 21,529,464 VW Beetles have already been manufactured.
We actually have Hitler to thank for the existence of this vehicle (perhaps one of very few good marks he left on this Earth). Originally, Hitler ordered the invention of the “people’s car,” which is the literal translation of Volkswagen. Specifically, Hitler wanted a vehicle that could carry 2 adults and 3 children (perhaps his view of the “perfectly-sized family,” and he wanted the car to be able to travel at a top speed of 62 miles-per-hour (100km/hr).
After receiving the order, Erwin Komenda came up with the design of the Beetle. He was the chief designer at Porsche (the luxury vehicle we still know today) and worked under founder Ferdinand Porsche. However, shortly after the war broke out so production was postponed until postwar.
Since then, different production models of the Beetle have made their own mark on history. Arguably the most notable Beetle was that of the seventies. Perhaps it’s the fact that the Beetle vehicle went along nicely with the musical group The Beetles or perhaps it’s the fact that almost every couple during the 1970s had their own personal experiences with a Beetle vehicle. Regardless, the Beetle and the 70s are synonymous with one another.
The 2011 version of the famous vehicle is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show late this year. Then, dealerships selling Palm Beach Volkswagen cars should have the vehicle for sale by May of next year. This vehicle is expected to have distinctively new styling, while maintaining the overall identifying features of the Beetle. In addition, a large focus is being placed on the driving dynamics of the vehicle.
A 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine is expected for the U.S. version of this vehicle. In addition, a twin-charged 1.4-liter, part gasoline part electric hybrid has teased rumor mills. Customers will also have the choice between five and six-speed manual transmissions and a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
Regardless of how the newest Beetle actually turns out, it is exciting to watch the tradition of this vehicle continue. To be able to sit in a vehicle today that exudes all of the latest technology but takes styling cues from decades ago is truly something special. From LA to Palm Beach, used VW vehicles will be joined by their most recent sibling and the tradition of the “people’s car” will earn yet another chapter in history.