VW Makes Rear Engine Vehicle Again

In the news: Sources inside Volkswagen headquartersgrandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the man behind the
are reportedly saying that the German auto maker isoriginal Beetle reportedly convinced VW chairman
currently making a rear engine vehicle again.Martin Winterkorn that the dynamically challenged
Volkswagen has indicated that it is currently workingrear-engine layout was attractive enough to succeed.
on a rump-motored, water-cooled small car. It is oneAccording to reports, one VW executive has already
that resembles the original Beetle in both layout andadmitted that the company plans to install stability
purpose.control to address handling issues. But other
Reports are also saying that Volkswagen's reinventionautomotive journalists are still not sold on the
of its iconic people's car will have its engine situated onrear-engine idea though it is quite certain that it can be
top of the transaxle and a radiator in the nose. Threemade to work in an inexpensive car like a VW small
wheelbase options and two body styles will be offeredcar.
worldwide, but only two variations will come to theOther have been speculating that the German
United States. These are the 130-inch-long Beetleautomaker has long abandoned the people's car
reincarnation aimed at the Smart for Two, and thedemographic for "richer climes", what with Piëch's
no-frills, four-door notchback likely to be marketed as agrand vision for the brand lay in cars like the Phaeton
smaller, cheaper Jetta. Pricing will be in the range ofin recent times. But who knows if wild ideas like these
$10,000 to $14,000.will be able to do wonders for Volkswagen's
Other features supposedly included are ABS, satelliteseemingly lackluster offerings of late? That we have
navigation, and a sun roof. Power steering however,to wait and see.
will not be offered as a cost-reducing measure.Meanwhile, no mention of the engine components of
Although third-world countries will receive athe rear engine vehicle has been made. Nonetheless, it
two-cylinder engine and emerging markets may evencan be anticipated that the automaker will give it the
get a one-cylinder unit, U.S. VW cars will likely besame quality VW engine components, with the same
powered by a turbocharged and direct-injecteddurable VW valve covers. These are components
three-cylinder.which are typically made of heavy gauge die cast
Speculations are that the rear-engine revival wassteel. They come in different shapes, sizes, and
largely Ferdinand Piëch's idea. Piëch, thefinishes to function to all kinds of engine specifications.