Volkswagen
The People’s Car That Conquered the World
Introduction
Volkswagen’s story is a profound tale of resilience and reinvention. Conceived in 1930s Germany as the ‘KdF-Wagen’—a simple, affordable ‘people’s car’—it was saved from the ruins of WWII by a British Army officer and the hard work of the people of Wolfsburg. From there, the humble Beetle, along with the iconic Transporter van, became global symbols of practicality, reliability, and counter-culture. Today, Volkswagen is a automotive titan, renowned for engineering excellence and vehicles that range from everyday economy to high-performance hot hatches.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1937 (by the German Labour Front) |
| HeadQuarters | Wolfsburg, Germany |
| Original Purpose | KdF-Wagen (Strength Through Joy Car) |
| First Car | Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) (1938) |
| Post-War Savior | Major Ivan Hirst (British Army Officer) |
| Global Slogan | Das Auto (The Car) |
Iconic Volkswagen Engines
- Air-Cooled Flat-4 (Type 1/Type 3) (1938-2003): The heart of the Beetle and Bus. A simple, air-cooled, rear-mounted engine known for its durability and distinctive sound.
- 1.9L TDI I4 (1991-2006): The diesel revolution. A turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine that set the global standard for diesel fuel economy, torque, and reliability.
- EA888 2.0L TSI I4 (2006-Present): The modern turbocharged powerhouse. A highly tunable and efficient turbocharged and direct-injected gasoline engine used in the GTI, Golf R, and many other models.
- VR6 (1991-2018): The narrow-angle V6. A unique and compact 15-degree V6 engine known for its incredibly smooth operation and distinctive growl, used in the Corrado, Golf R32, and Passat.
Legendary Volkswagen Models
- Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) (1938-2003): The people’s car. One of the most recognizable cars in history, with over 21 million produced. A symbol of simplicity and practicality.
- Volkswagen Transporter (T1/T2/T3) (1950-1992): The Microbus / Kombi. An iconic van that became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture and remains a beloved classic.
- Volkswagen Golf (1974-Present): The hatchback benchmark. The car that defined the modern front-wheel-drive hot hatch, especially the performance-oriented GTI and R models.
- Volkswagen Corrado (1988-1995): The tech-forward coupe. Featured an innovative active rear spoiler and was available with the fantastic VR6 engine.
- Volkswagen Passat (1973-Present): The reliable family car. A mainstay in the mid-size sedan segment, known for its solid build quality and efficient engines.
- Volkswagen Jetta (1979-Present): The sedan counterpart to the Golf. Offered the practicality of a trunk to markets that preferred traditional sedans.
- Volkswagen Scirocco (1974-1992, 2008-2017): The stylish sports coupe. Based on the Golf platform but with sleek, sporty styling.
The Beetle’s Unlikely Survival
Volkswagen’s survival is a miracle of history. The Wolfsburg factory was heavily bombed and slated for dismantling after WWII. British Army Major Ivan Hirst saw the potential of the car and the factory. He secured an order for 20,000 vehicles for the Allied forces, got the factory running again, and employed German workers, saving the company and the city. This decision allowed the Beetle to become a post-war success story, first in Europe and then explosively in the United States, where it became an icon of simplicity and reliability against the backdrop of large American cars.