Herbie rides again

Herbie, the little car that could, has been revived as a limited edition model -- and just like the movie star it can park itself! A new generation Herbie is about to go on sale in Spain with the same colour scheme that made it famous on the silver screen in 1968.

The limited edition model comes with the red and blue stripes and includes the number 53 on the bonnet. A unique touch, it gets a badge on its boot that says "Escarabajo", which is Beetle in Spanish.

In a neat twist, Volkswagen has equipped the Herbie models with technology that allows the car to park itself. At the press of a button, radar sensors measure the side of an adjacent parking spot and the car manvoures itself into position.

All the driver needs to do is control the brake pedal. It also has tyre pressure sensors, so it can check on its own welfare. Unfortunately, Volkswagen Australia says there are no plans to bring the Love Bug to Australia. But the new generation Beetle will be on sale locally from next February.