VW developing rear-engine cars again

Volkswagen is set to revive its rear-engine design that was made popular with the original Beetle by releasing a new small car featuring a water-cooled mill residing over the rear axle. The plans were disclosed by an internal source, who also revealed that the new car will be offered with three different wheelbase sizes and two distinct body styles. One version will measure around 130in and is likely to feature retro cues mimicking the Beetle, making it a perfect rival to the upcoming Fiat 500.
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EnnNorak - 5/8/2007 1:14:23 PM

-2 Boost

Will the gas tank end up in front and kill the driver upon frontal impact? Well, at least the engine will be water cooled and not air cooled. I would not mind a considerably larger car in the original Beetle shape if it had AWD and a strong diesel engine.

indoctrin8ed - 5/8/2007 8:26:44 PM

-1 Boost

Good move bv VW. Rear drive cars are the most fun to drive and since Audi won't do it, VW can do it for them.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/9/2007 6:43:55 PM

+1 Boost

Rear-ENGINE, not RWD.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/9/2007 3:28:00 AM

+2 Boost

Awesome technology revival. Very different and will set VW apart from competitors.

EnnNorak - 5/9/2007 2:02:44 PM

+2 Boost

Audi does not have to do it since all Audi cars have AWD which is even better than RWD.

indoctrin8ed - 5/9/2007 7:33:40 PM

+1 Boost

I was drunk at the time I wrote that last post.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/9/2007 10:17:40 PM

+1 Boost

Ahh.

Larrybel2000 - 6/11/2010 9:53:34 PM

+1 Boost

You know what kills me. We all like the old style bug for it's versatility. The designers of the new beetle listened to the wrong crowd (Hippies) when developing the new beetle. How about an AWD or RWD beetle with removable fenders and suspension options so we can make roadsters or BAJA style beetles. If rear engine makes it complicated then make it front engine. Personally the two people in the front are the only ones that matter when it comes to the fun factor so a little bit of extra room for the engine can be compensated for. I don't have a problem with the Hippies, but let VW make them a veggie oil burning bus and Beetle with a bike and surf board rack on top and let the tuners have at it with the "Versatility".

Larrybel2000 - 6/11/2010 9:54:24 PM

+1 Boost

You know what kills me. We all like the old style bug for it's versatility. The designers of the new beetle listened to the wrong crowd (Hippies) when developing the new beetle. How about an AWD or RWD beetle with removable fenders and suspension options so we can make roadsters or BAJA style beetles. If rear engine makes it complicated then make it front engine. Personally the two people in the front are the only ones that matter when it comes to the fun factor. I don't have a problem with the Hippies, but let VW make them a veggie oil burning bus and a Beetle with a bike and surf board rack on top and let the tuners have at it. Versatility means the ability to Chop.