Auto 2011
Auto 2011
Showing posts with label VW Beetle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VW Beetle. Show all posts

New Beetle Limousine is a Prom Queen’s Dream


New Jersey’s Route 22 Limousines is selling this 1999 Volkswagen Beetle limousine. The six passenger vehicle was built in 2001 and is finished with a white exterior and grey leather interior with TV, minibar, mirrored roof and custom lighting. Imagine the look on the face of Daddy’s Little Princess when you bring this home to take her to the Senior Prom...

And imagine the look on the face of Daddy’s Little Princess’s mother when you try to explain the US$45,000 price tag. Sure, it may seem a little steep at first, though presumably Route 22 spent a fair amount of money lengthening and customizing this...uh...“unique” vehicle.

It occurs to me though, adding all that additional weight to a New Beetle is going to seriously impede the performance of its 2.0 L engine, especially when mated to the standard 4spd automatic transmission. You know what I mean: 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in four hours and a minimum turning circle of a mile (1.6 km). I hope Route 22 upgraded the brakes, at least, or the new owner is going to be in for some fun times on wet roads.

Though I suppose, unless you’re carrying the President of the United States, a limousine doesn’t really have to be fast or nimble: it just has to be big, comfy and have a well stocked minibar. I won’t bother asking what you readers think of this thing; unless you’re a bride-to-be or a prom attendee you’ll probably think this thing is daft as it looks. I could be wrong though...

By Tristan Hankins

Via: eBay


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Chrysler and Volkswagen Issue Massive Recalls on Separate Issues


Chrysler and Volkswagen have issued massive recalls, affecting a combined total of almost 600,000 vehicles. The American automaker is recalling 367,350-2008MY Chrysler Town and Country/Dodge Caravan MPVs, while Wolfsburg’s finest will notify 228,236 owners of Golf, Jetta sedan, Jetta Sportwagen, New Beetle and Rabbit models, manufactured between 2006 and 2010 that their vehicles are being called in.

According to the NHTSA report, certain variants of the Chrysler-built people carriers may experience a water leak at the heating and air conditioner drain grommet, which, eventually, can lead to inadvertently deployed airbags.

Chrysler dealers will replace the faulty part free of charge, starting from February 2011. Owners may contact the automaker at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf and Rabbit models may have a small plastic tab on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against a fuel supply line. New Beetles equipped with the 2.5-liter engine may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose that may also chafe against a fuel supply line. The worst-case scenario is that the affected vehicles can catch on fire, due to a potential fuel leak.

Depending on the model, Volkswagen service personnel will either remove the plastic tab from the washer fluid reservoir or adjust the fastening clamp’s position.

The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 31, 2011. The German manufacturer can be contacted at 1-800-822-8987.

By Csaba Daradics


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WaterCar Gator: An Amphibious VW Beetle-Based Jeep Lookalike for the Budget Minded


In October ’09 we brought you details and pictures of WaterCar’s US$200,000 Python: a Corvette-engined sea going convertible / roadable speed boat. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t cheap, but some child-like part of us was enthralled with the sheer absurdity of it. Well, if you're on a tight(er) budget, the company also offers a considerably cheaper model. The Gator is essentially a kit car, albeit an impressive looking one at that.

Inspired by the Myers Manx of the 1960s (and looking like a Jeep Wrangler), the US$29,500 Gator comes with a complete fibreglass body, gear box and transmission, water jet propulsion unit, high torque drive axles, front and rear suspension parts, head lights, steering assembly and various stainless steel parts.

All an enterprising buyer has to do is bolt in the chassis and engine from a Volkswagen Beetle and e viola; you have your very own amphibious automobile. Though one has to wonder: does this make the Python, which costs almost ten times as much, redundant?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: Watercar


What is included in the kit:

1. WaterCar Fiberglass Body and Hull Assembly

2. WaterCar Patented Gear Box and Transmission Assembly

3. Rear Water Jet Propulsion Unit

2. Hood

3. Doors

4. Deck Lid

5. All Various Stainless Hinges and Door Latches

5. Windshield

6. Left and Right High Torque Drive Axles

7. Front and Rear Suspension Components

8. Head Light Assemblies

9. Steering Assembly (Both water and road)

10. Stainless Steel Hardware

PRICE FOR KIT: $29,500.00



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