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Volkswagen Beetle

Beetle No. 15,007,034: the car that took Ford's Model T production crown in 1972.1

Researched October 23, 2026 from 35 sources

Also called

  • BugAn affectionate name also used in Baja Bug, the Beetle adapted for desert racing.1
  • KäferOne of the names inspired by the original Volkswagen's distinctive silhouette.1
  • FuscaA shape-inspired nickname; the A5 also wore it as a market name in Brazil.12
  • VochoA shape-inspired name; Volkswagen later advertised the Beetle in Mexico as “The new Vocho.”12

At a glance

0150300
25–221 hpPower
050100
6.7–35 s0–100 km/h
0125250
125–229 km/hTop speed
0200400
66.4–320 N·mTorque
07501,500
703–1,478 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.4891011

Engine
Original: air-cooled flat-4; New Beetle: I4/I5/VR5/VR6; A5: 1.2–2.5 L234
Layout
Original: rear/RWD; New Beetle and A5: front/FWD; RSi: AWD234
Gearbox
Original: 4-speed manual, semi-auto; New Beetle/A5: 5/6-speed manual, auto, DSG234
Built at
Original: Wolfsburg, Germany; original, New Beetle and A5: Puebla, Mexico129
Units built
Original: 21,529,464; New Beetle: 1,185,456; A5 (2012–2019): 552,804246

The story

Born as an affordable people's car under the Nazi regime, the original used a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer. The Golf-based New Beetle kept the curved silhouette while moving its engine and drive to the front.34

1934: Porsche's people's-car commission19341945: Ivan Hirst restarts civilian production19451948: Nordhoff takes charge19481972: 15,007,034: Model T record broken19721993: Fuel injection reaches the Mexican 160019931998: New Beetle puts the engine up front19982003: 21,529,464 originals and a final 3,00020032011: A5 launches from Puebla20112019: Last Beetle leaves Puebla2019 Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1): 1938–2003Type 1Volkswagen Beetle (A5) (5C): 2011–20195C 194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones239
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1938–2003Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)
2011–2019Volkswagen Beetle (A5) (5C)
1934Porsche's people's-car commission
1945Ivan Hirst restarts civilian production
1948Nordhoff takes charge
197215,007,034: Model T record broken
1993Fuel injection reaches the Mexican 1600
1998New Beetle puts the engine up front
200321,529,464 originals and a final 3,000
2011A5 launches from Puebla
2019Last Beetle leaves Puebla
  1. 1934

    Porsche's people's-car commission

    After Hitler calls for an inexpensive car for the masses, Ferdinand Porsche's office receives the prototype contract.5

  2. 1945

    Ivan Hirst restarts civilian production

    Under British trusteeship, Major Ivan Hirst helps restart Wolfsburg. Civilian Type 1 series production begins on December 27.6

  3. 1948

    Nordhoff takes charge

    Heinrich Nordhoff takes over after exports began in 1947. His strategy puts sales, service and worldwide spare-parts supply behind the Beetle.7

  4. 1972

    15,007,034: Model T record broken

    On February 17, the Beetle passes Ford's Model T production record at Wolfsburg; Volkswagen celebrates with the World Champion edition.1

  5. 1993

    Fuel injection reaches the Mexican 1600

    The Mexican 1600 sedan gains fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters and a catalyst with a Lambda probe.8

  6. 1998

    New Beetle puts the engine up front

    The New Beetle arrives for the 1998 model year on the Golf's PQ34 platform, trading the original's rear-engine layout for front-engine, front-wheel drive.34

  7. 2003

    21,529,464 originals and a final 3,000

    Original Beetle production ends in Mexico; Puebla's farewell is a run of 3,000 1600i Última Edición cars.16

  8. 2011

    A5 launches from Puebla

    Unveiled on April 18, the lower-roofed A5 uses PQ35 underpinnings and is built in Puebla, Mexico.2

  9. 2019

    Last Beetle leaves Puebla

    Puebla builds the last Beetle in July; the US-only Final Edition SE and SEL honor the 2003 Última Edición.9

Every generation

  • NSU Type 32
    Type 32
  • Volkswagen Beetle
    Type 11938–2003
  • Volkswagen Beetle (A5)
    5C2011–2019

Power over the years

From 25 hp to 221 hp in 49 years.

0100200300 19501960197019801990200020102020 hp 1952 · 25 hp · 1131 cc Beetle (SAE gross)1965 · 34 hp · 1200 A1998 · 89 hp · New Beetle 1.9 TDI1999 · 150 hp · New Beetle GLS 1.8T2000 · 168 hp · New Beetle 2.3 VR52001 · 221 hp · New Beetle RSi 3.2 VR62002 · 180 hp · New Beetle Turbo S2012 · 200 hp · Beetle 2.0 Turbo2013 · 207 hp · Beetle GSR 2.0 TSI (210 PS)2014 · 170 hp · Beetle 1.8T2019 · 174 hp · Beetle Final Edition 2.0 turbo 221 hp New Beetle RSi 3.2 VR6 25 hp 1131 cc Beetle (SAE gross)
4891011121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1952251131 cc Beetle (SAE gross)
1965341200 A
199889New Beetle 1.9 TDI
1999150New Beetle GLS 1.8T
2000168New Beetle 2.3 VR5
2001221New Beetle RSi 3.2 VR6
2002180New Beetle Turbo S
2012200Beetle 2.0 Turbo
2013207Beetle GSR 2.0 TSI (210 PS)
2014170Beetle 1.8T
2019174Beetle Final Edition 2.0 turbo

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Beetle 1200 / 1300 / 1500 / 1600

  • 1302 / 1303 Super Beetle

    Standard

    1302 / 1303 Super Beetle

  • Karmann / Hebmüller convertibles

    Standard

    Karmann / Hebmüller convertibles

  • Performance

    New Beetle Turbo S

    2002–2004

    180 hp
  • Beetle Dune

    Special

    Beetle Dune

  • Limited

    Beetle Fender Edition

    2013

  • Final Edition SE / SEL

    Special

    Final Edition SE / SEL

    2019

    174 hp
  • 1303 S Yellow-Black Racer / Beetle GSR

    Limited

    1303 S Yellow-Black Racer / Beetle GSR

    1973 / 2013

  • 1600i Última Edición

    Limited

    1600i Última Edición

    2003

    3,000 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Bulging wheel arches and a curved roofline link the later Beetle to the rear-engined original.18
  • New Beetle: high rounded roof, separate fenders and large round taillights.4
  • Later Beetle: lower roof, longer hood and more swept-back windshield than the New Beetle.19
  • Later Beetle: round headlights; optional bi-xenons have LEDs tracing their outer edges.19

Year by year

  1. 1953 / 1957

    Original Beetle: split rear glass became an oval in 1953; a larger rear window and windshield followed in 1957.8

  2. 1968 model year

    Most air-cooled models gained upright headlights, shorter lids and larger bumpers with a black center strip; some 1200s kept blade bumpers.15

  3. 1972–1974 (1303)

    The 1303 introduced curved panoramic glass and elephant-feet taillights; its front indicators moved into the bumper in 1974.16

  4. 2006 model year

    New Beetle facelift: more angular bumpers and wheel openings, plus revised lights and VW emblems.4

  5. 2012 model year

    New Beetle gave way to a wider, longer shape with a lower, flatter roof and a more steeply raked windshield.414

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Beetle
    Beetle
    Photo of a Converted Beetle cabriolets
    Converted Beetle cabriolets

    Converted Beetle cabriolets

    Look for roof remnants above the windshield, retained door pillars and side windows that do not wind down.15

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Beetle
    Beetle
    Photo of a MINI Cooper S
    MINI Cooper S

    MINI Cooper S

    Look for the Cooper S nose intake and center-exit exhausts.18

Against its rivals

  • Honda Civic Si (1999)

    Beetle vs Honda Civic Si (1999)

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Beetle7.3 s
    Honda Civic Si (1999)7.6 s
    12
  • Acura Integra GS-R

    Beetle vs Acura Integra GS-R

    Roadholding

    Beetle0.8 g
    Acura Integra GS-R0.8 g
    20
  • MINI Cooper S (2012)

    Beetle vs MINI Cooper S (2012)

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Beetle8.3 s
    MINI Cooper S (2012)7.3 s
    18

Prices

Value today $19.2K–$32.5K2627

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K 1960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $19,200–$32,500 1952 · $1,600 · German Deluxe, quoted USD1970 · $1,839 · US list price2001 · $80,000 · Europe RSi, quoted USD equivalent2002 · $23,950 · US New Beetle Turbo S, base2019 · $23,940 · US Final Edition coupe2019 · $28,190 · US Final Edition convertible 1952 · $1600 · German-market Deluxe, 1952 model year (quoted USD) 2024 · $15,150 · 1954 oval-window Beetle, 40k miles shown, BaT2025 · $13,500 · 1979 Super Beetle convertible, 88k miles shown, BaT2025 · $13,500 · 1967 Beetle, 85k miles shown, BaT2025 · $8,888 · 2002 New Beetle Turbo S 6-speed, 46k miles, BaT2026 · $19,200 · 1955 oval-window, 99k km shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $32,500 · 2019 Final Edition SEL convertible, 5k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $11,555 · 2013 Beetle TDI, 27k miles, BaT2026 · $40,500 · 2019 Final Edition SEL convertible, 7k miles, BaT2026 · $7,250 · 2013 Turbo Fender Edition, 103k miles, BaT $40.5K BaT, 2026
91011132526272829303132333435
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1952Launch price$1,600German-market Deluxe, 1952 model year (quoted USD)
1952Price when new$1,600German Deluxe, quoted USD
1970Price when new$1,839US list price
2001Price when new$80,000Europe RSi, quoted USD equivalent
2002Price when new$23,950US New Beetle Turbo S, base
2019Price when new$23,940US Final Edition coupe
2019Price when new$28,190US Final Edition convertible
2024Auction sale$15,1501954 oval-window Beetle, 40k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,5001979 Super Beetle convertible, 88k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,5001967 Beetle, 85k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$8,8882002 New Beetle Turbo S 6-speed, 46k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$19,2001955 oval-window, 99k km shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$32,5002019 Final Edition SEL convertible, 5k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$11,5552013 Beetle TDI, 27k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$40,5002019 Final Edition SEL convertible, 7k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,2502013 Turbo Fender Edition, 103k miles, BaT
2026Value today$19,200–$32,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “330.1 km/h, yet no class record”
    • “15,007,034: the Model T's record falls”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 2 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 35 sources
  1. A history of the Volkswagen Beetle vw.com
  2. Volkswagen Beetle (A5) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Volkswagen Beetle - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Volkswagen New Beetle - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. DPMA | Ferdinand Porsche dpma.de
  6. 75 years ago in Wolfsburg: Start of series production of the Volkswagen Beetle | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  7. VW Beetle, the real miracle | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  8. VW Beetle through the years | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  9. Beetle (2011–2019) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  10. Slow, Simple, Perfect: Driving the 1952 Volkswagen Beetle That Charms Everyone Who Sees It motortrend.com
  11. 2019 VW Beetle Final Edition Review: Saying Bye to the Bug | Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  12. Cheap Speed: 1999 Honda Civic Si vs. Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T caranddriver.com
  13. 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S caranddriver.com
  14. Volkswagen Beetle Model Years | Volkswagen Beetle Model Year History jdpower.com
  15. VW Beetle Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Buy heritagepartscentre.com
  16. Beetle (Käfer) 1303 (1972–1975) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  17. Used Volkswagen Beetle (Mk2, 2011 - 2019) review and buyer's guide | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  18. VW Beetle vs rivals | Group Tests | | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. The Beetle - International Driving Presentation | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  20. 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  21. The Beetles 2014-2019 – DirtFish dirtfish.com
  22. Global Rallycross Race Report: Los Angeles Round 12 - Andretti Global andrettiglobal.com
  23. Technik - Salzburg Käfer salzburgkaefer.at
  24. Pushing a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Past 205 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats motortrend.com
  25. Volkswagen New Beetle RSi Was One Juiced-Up Bug caranddriver.com
  26. 1955 Volkswagen Beetle for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,200 on September 2, 2026 (Lot #261,067) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 5k-Mile 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition SEL Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,500 on August 21, 2026 (Lot #258,994) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. With More Than 15 Million Made, This Iconic Car Became the World’s Most Popular on This Day in 1972 smithsonianmag.com
  29. No Reserve: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Fender Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,250 on March 10, 2026 (Lot #232,919) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 7k-Mile 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 2.0T Final Edition SEL for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $40,500 on April 21, 2026 (Lot #238,874) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 27k-Mile 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,555 on September 8, 2026 (Lot #262,025) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,500 on August 9, 2025 (Lot #204,472) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1967 Volkswagen Beetle for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,500 on April 8, 2025 (Lot #186,773) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 46k-Mile 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,888 on January 30, 2025 (Lot #178,774) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1954 Volkswagen Beetle for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,150 on March 29, 2024 (Lot #141,377) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • vw.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • dpma.de
  • volkswagen-newsroom.com
  • motortrend.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • jdpower.com
  • heritagepartscentre.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • dirtfish.com
  • andrettiglobal.com
  • salzburgkaefer.at
  • bringatrailer.com
  • smithsonianmag.com

Photo credits

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