Volkswagen Beetle 1971 News

VW plans to drop the Beetle from local showrooms after sales hit reverse for three years in a row.Will you miss the new Beetle when it disappears from showrooms, or are you more of a fan of the earlier models? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

When you think of dune buggies, you think of bugs -- VW Beetles, to be precise. So it's little surprise that the German carmaker has revived the name -- also seen previously on a concept at the 2000 LA show -- for this year's Detroit event. Teased in a single sketch last week, the Beetle Dune boasts a 5cm suspension lift and off-road styling tweaks compared to the production Beetle coupe.  The yellow and black 'Arizona' livery carries over to the interior trim, with yellow dash, black and yellow trim and sports-inspired materials that include seats with leather and breathable fabric upholstery.The cabin gets an enlarged 7.7-inch touchscreen display, with the system including apps that deliver POI information -- including alerts if any of your friends are nearby --  extra gauges and a new dash-mounted grab handle for panicky front seat passengers.It rides on 19-inch, five-spoke wheels and Volkswagen suggests there is the chance for some of the cues to reach production -- or at least, more of them than those of the 2000 concept. The carmaker says the 2014 show car is  “is a lot more feasible ... potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle".However any move from show to showroom shouldn't expect to stray too far from the bitumen, as despite the ride height and rugged looks, the Dune's 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (from the limited-edition Beetle R-Line sold overseas) delivers drive via a six-speed DSG dual-clutch auto only to the front wheels, with no all-wheel drive to back up its cosmetic attitude.

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.  

There are no clear clues when you look at the all-time top sellers, which include everything from a hulking Yank pick-up to sedate German sedan - and the century-old Ford Model-T.

That is exactly where Salvatore Coco began and he has his share of breakdown stories. He loves classic cars, which is appropriate for an actor who is stepping back in time for the third series of Underbelly. This time Coco is Hammer, an enforcer with plenty of muscle, in 'The Golden Mile'. He describes the role, which sees him as a mate of Kings Cross identity John Ibraham, as "an awesome experience"."I am a bit of a car buff. I’ve always liked cars since I was a young boy. The first car I bought was a red Volkswagen Beetle when I was 19. Hasn’t everyone had one of those? It gave me more problems than anything but I was young and enjoyed tinkering and fixing things. Now I drive a silver BMW E30 – it’s an old car, a 1989 model. I’ve had it for 10 years. They’ll be a collector’s item, it’s a classic car. That particular model is one of the best BMWs – I believe. It’s one of those cars that just loves the road. I drive a lot between Sydney and Canberra and it absolutely loves it.""I’m pretty strict when it comes to people getting in my car. I don’t like people mucking around because the leather seats are the original seats. No one plays around in the back seat – and I won’t be playing around back there either.""I’ve got a lot of ‘breakdown’ stories to tell of late. In the last two years I’ve broken down at least five times. Recently, coming back from Canberra, I had forgotten to change the timing belt on the motor and I blew the head. So that cost me a lot of money and a two-night stay in Goulburn. One thing goes wrong and the whole car shuts down. I’ve got a list as long as my arm about breakdowns.""When I first bought my Volkswagen, I was working as a pizza delivery driver for Dominos. I was running late for work and the car just stopped. So I opened up the back of the Volkswagen to have a look at the engine and there was one wire from the coil to the engine which had burnt out. I was standing there trying to figure out what I could replace it with and I got an idea. I pulled a wire from one of the speakers, attached it and it worked. I didn’t even have a pair of pliers, I had to do it with my teeth. So I left it on there and drove around with one speaker working.""I once bought a new motorbike and the guy assured me it was all ready to go. It was beautiful. My friends and I decided to go for a cruise to the Central Coast. I got five minutes from home and it just stopped in the tunnel that goes onto the Anzac Bridge in Sydney. No matter what I did I couldn’t get it going. So I ring the bloke I bought it from and I took it back to the workshop. The fuse right up under the chassis had blown which tripped the fan, the fan overheated and blew the engine. All because of one silly, faulty fuse. Lucky it was still under warranty.""Sydney to Canberra is a great drive but I also love the drive from Sydney to Batemans Bay and Sydney to Yamba. That’s a very good drive.""If I make a few million dollars the first thing I’ll buy is a Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III. If I end up in some huge Hollywood blockbuster – I’ll buy two of them. I love Classics. I really, really love Classics."