Beginning of the twentieth century was marked by a history of the world production of the automobile industry. End of 30-ies is associated, as a rule, with Germany, Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of war in Europe. However, in 1938, Germany and Hitler's associates, another event - the appearance of car Volkswagen Beetle, or the famous "Beetle". This little fun car opens the front page of the history of the famous group Volkswagen. According to legend, Adolf Hitler personally resigned his form of paper towels. But this is only a legend ... Volkswagen Group was born out of urgent need for Europe to economical and reliable car. Its founder was Ferdinand Porsche (Ferdinand Porsche). Of course, everybody knows that the world-famous Porsche brought a completely different car, but he always dreamed of creating a compact car. To achieve this, the famous designer, first contact the manufacturer of motorcycles - Zundapp, and then the NSU. At NSU Porsche developed Type 32 in the rear part of which is the engine with four horizontal cylinder and air cooled. This project and was to become the basis for future "Beetle", but for some reason the release of this model was not extended. In 1934 at the Berlin Motor Show, Adolf Hitler made a speech, which promised to promote the production of compact and efficient machines for the middle class. After this meeting Hitler and Porsche, which started the history of Volkswagen. For four years, designer developed the concept of a new car and already in 1938 laid the foundation for a new automobile. By the way, with this year's dates back to the history of Volkswagen. First, Hitler gave the new car name KdF-Wagen (Kraft durch Freude Wagen, powerful and delivers the joy of a car). Title did not like the "father» Beetle, but like Volkswagen. Under this name the car and was launched in the series. The name of the Beetle («Beetle") was folk etymology and first appeared in the newspaper «The New York Times», in 1938. The first serial Beetle debuted at the Berlin Motor Show in 1939. It was equipped with a liter engine with four horizontal cylinder whose power was only 23.5 horsepower. He has worked with 4-speed manual transmission, the drive was back. In this form, "Zhukov" was released quite a bit: the official date of commencement 11 July 1941 and before August 7, 1944, when production could not be continued due to air attack by Soviet troops. There were produced 630 Beetle sedans and 13 convertibles. For military purposes has been adjusted slightly modified production cars - modified chassis, plus 4-door body with soft top and 18-inch wheels. This variant was known as Type 62 Kubelwagen. By the way, kubelwagen can literally translated from German as "a bucket of nuts." Not hence went to the people of this stable phrase? After the war, defeated Germany in the fate of a little fun machine decided to Britons, who began the revival of industry in the territory entrusted to their care, which included dilapidated factory and KdF-Wagen. He left a large number of half-assembled cars and their parts. The plant was restored, and in August 1945, Britain has ordered 20,000 "Zhukov. Half of them were collected in a year. In October 1946 members of the British government approved the organization dealer network in the areas occupied by them. Originally it had been 10 major distributors and 28 dealerships. And a year later, in 1947, Beetle «flew on exports - 56 sedans were sent to the Netherlands. Then power the car has increased to 25 "horses". In 1950 he was released one hundred thousandth car. At the same time began to produce constructed on the basis of this car minivan Transporter. The further history of this car seems like a permanent increase in the gas tank, engine performance and interior comfort. In 1954, the engine "Beetle" has already become a 1.2-liter, but its power was 36 "horses". In 1959, car seats are softer, salon - elegant, changed the suspension and chassis. Since 1961, the first power Beetle was already equal to 40 horsepower. The fuel tank has been renovated, increased capacity of the trunk. In 1966, the volume of the engine was already equal to 1.3 liters, and power of 50 "horses". On the trunk adorned with the figure "1300", reminiscent of the new engine. In 1967, manufacturers have increased the engine to 1.5 liters, and power - up to 53 liters. with. Then there was the most noticeable change in the exterior of the machine - have increased the headlights. Wings, too, have become more, not to lose proportionality. Then over the years the exterior of the car has not changed. In 1969, the march of "Beetle" marred by the appearance of real competition. Toyota Corolla and the Datsun 510, is also quite compact cars have become close on the heels. Also, soon to begin fighting for the environment, and harmful emissions into the atmosphere Beetle gets a lot of complaints. In 1970 the engine was again enlarged. Now, its volume is already 1.6-liter capacity - 57 liters. with. In 1971, the suspension has been changed - there were racks McPherson. Wheelbase lengthened the car, and the power of 1.6-liter engine was already 60 liters. with. The new model is called Super Beetle. In 1975, Beetle engine equipped with electronic fuel injection, and over the next few years the car comes without any changes. Were opened plants in Australia, Portugal, Yugoslavia, South Africa, Venezuela, Philippines, Uruguay and Peru. In 1978, Germany is going to last "Beetle". Since then, his production of "expelled" from Europe. In 1980, the production of Beetle «lands in Mexico, where in 1981 with the assembly line came 20000th car. He was placed in a museum in Wolfsburg, where initially there is a factory Volkswagen. In 1985, Europe is far refused to import Beetle, and Mexico remained the only place of assembly "Beetle" and the only place where he continued to enjoy popularity. Particularly useful, he was considered the taxi drivers. White and green Beetle taxis are virtually a symbol of Mexico. Moreover, it was also the most affordable car in Mexico. In 1990 he was released millions of copies, and in 1992, the number of collected Beetle reached 21 million. But in this "reserve" "Beetle" "slammed" the decision of mayor of Mexico City, by which all taxis were to be 4-door. Perhaps this is due to a very high reputation in 1991, seemed to have forgotten the legend breathed new life. In the Volkswagen design studio in California (USA) studio manager Jay Mays and Freeman Thomas designer decided to create a car that could resemble the Beetle in its best traditions and modern design and construction. A conceptual version of the new "Beetle" was presented at the Auto Show in Detroit in 1994. Reviews of the public have been very flattering, and Volkswagen has decided to mass production of a new model that started it all in the same Mexico. The new car, called the New Beetle, was equipped with a 2.0-liter SOHC engine capacity of 115 liters. with., 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension. On the New Beetle could also set an excellent turbo diesel engine of 1.9 liters and 90 liters capacity. with. In 1999, standard on the car entered the system ABS. By that time it was manufactured version 1,8 T with 4-cylinder turbo engine capacity of 1.8 liters and output of 150 hp. with. In 2001, the New Beetle gets vysokorazryadnye lights, but the most important news in 2002 was the emergence of a sports version of the New Beetle - Turbo S. The power of this model was already 180 horsepower, was installed a 6-speed manual transmission. To accelerate to 100 km / h, model 2002 requires only 8 seconds. But its real charm of the model acquired in 2003, when the manufacturer decided to make the New Beetle in the convertible. Of course, even an improved car is not as popular as during its heyday. Beetle was never fast, nor an executive car. But he has always had a reputation for reliable and quality vehicles for those who love originality. Among the owners can be called a football player Jurgen Klinsmann and actress Jodie Foster.
No comments:
Post a Comment