Reading Time • 2 min read
In the early 1930s, Adolf Hitler envisioned a mass-produced, affordable, and dependable car for the people, which led to the development of the Volkswagen Kdf. This versatile vehicle became a staple in the German army, predominantly utilized by officers, couriers, and communications personnel. It also found its purpose as a training vehicle. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, the creator, faced criticism for retaining the rear-mounted air-cooled engine in the military version. Despite some initial drawbacks, the campaign in Poland demonstrated the vehicle’s reliability. By the end of the war, over 52,000 units had been produced.
Dr. Porsche unveiled the initial specifications of the Volkswagen 82 (then referred to as Typ 62) in January 1938. The light military modifications were commissioned to the Trutz bodywork firm in Gotha, resulting in two prototypes presented to Hitler in February of the same year. One variant had an oval body and rounded fenders, while the other had a more angular appearance. However, military experts deemed neither prototype to possess a sufficiently pronounced military aura.
Consequently, a new prototype, nearly identical to the subsequent serial version, emerged. It received approval, and testing commenced. Early field tests revealed that Typ 62 lacked adequate stability on rough terrain, prompting Porsche to reinforce the rear suspension and overhaul the front. Additionally, a new differential and hydraulic steering mechanism were added.
The military vehicle was equipped with a four-speed nonsynchronized transmission and the standard 985-cubic centimeter engine from the Volkswagen Kdf, boasting 23.5 horsepower. The initial Typ 62 series was delivered to military units in December 1939, concurrently rebranded as Typ 82.
In 1940, the vehicles were equipped with a heater, and by the end of the year, over 1000 units were produced. In March 1943, a modification with a slightly more powerful 25 horsepower engine and a displacement of 1131 cubic centimeters was introduced.
The air-cooled engine, while criticized for its performance in the Sahara and Eastern Front operations during World War II, was offset by the vehicle’s agility and durability. The Volkswagen Typ 82 Kübelwagen served as a fully versatile frontline vehicle, functioning as a four-passenger car, utility, communications, or cargo vehicle.
The model also had various iterations, including a limited-production amphibious version and several prototypes adapted for rail travel, equipped with tank treads, or featuring armored bodywork.
Reading Time • 2 min read
Audi with its headquarters in Ingolstadt already in 2020 started a process to change its corporate identity. Now the company has decided to change its emblem. The four rings will be preserved, but in a more cleaner form.
Now the emblem has chrome rings and the new one is expected to have a two-dimensional look. The four rings will turn white with a thin black border around each one.
And with the new emblem there will be the so-called “black option” – where the otherwise white rings will be in dark gray, which should look like gloss black.
The four rings at Audi have a long tradition. The famous emblem was created back in the 1930s as a result of the merger of the four car brands Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, which found expression in the Auto Union emblem.
Reading Time • < 1 min read
German carmaker Volkswagen AG is considering closing European plants and moving production outside the European Union (EU) if gas supply difficulties persist. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing Gen Wu, the head of the company’s public procurement department.
As medium-term alternatives to EU assembly, we will focus on greater localization of production, redeployment of capacity, finding technical alternatives similar to solutions used to overcome the effects of semiconductor shortages and other recent supply chain disruptions.” he said.
The company plans to implement these measures if gas supply problems continue “for an extended period of time beyond next winter,” the agency said.
In this case, “Volkswagen’s major plants in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as the company’s energy infrastructure in southern Europe” would be at risk of closure.
source: bgnes
Reading Time • 2 min read
The legendary car RS2 is an extremely good workmanship in the automotive industry. It can be said that this is not exactly Audi, as much of the equipment comes from Porsche.
The idea to create the fastest 5-door station wagon production seems to have been liked when the project was put on the table in Zuffenhausen. The special Audi receives 17-inch wheels from the Porsche Cup; mirrors, turn signals and fog lamps of 964; 968 brakes; Porsche inscriptions on the cylinder head and on the RS emblem, which is reserved for the most powerful “11s”.
Who actually paid whom? In the RS2 project, both sides of the development are distributed to the maximum. One company needs attention and image improvement, and the other needs finance. The result of all this is the anabolic Audi 80 – that’s what it looks like and feels like when driving.
The three large openings in the front bumper of the RS are far from just for vision. They significantly contribute to the cooling of antifreeze, air to the turbo and oil. Under the hood runs a 2.2-liter 20V-engine with 5 cylinders – with a deadly sound and thanks to the turbocharger K24 with a liter of 140 “horsepower“: or a total of 315. Fortunately, there is a dual drive. Otherwise, we do not think what would happen after the engine “jumped” the turbo hole and “poured” the brutal power only on the front wheels. Thus, after 3500 rpm, the Audi is driven quite obediently and stops beautifully thanks to the technology from Porsche.
The suspension is tight, but not too tight, and the 6 gears are not typical for young timers. Nowadays the S4 needs the time for the 0-100 km / h sprint of 5.8 seconds. Twenty years ago, the doping station wagon cost a brutal 98,900 marks, and today it is more expensive to use than ever before.
Nowadays, this legendary car starts at 54,500 euros. The supply has been extremely reduced, as only 3,000 units have been produced. Many of these pieces are either bumped or “tuned” and damaged. Many of the “tuning” companies apparently did not understand that there is nothing to improve on this Audi-Porsche.
Car data | Porsche B32 |
---|---|
Engine | 6-cylinder, turbo |
Valves / camshafts | 20/2 |
Camshaft drive | timing belt |
Working volume | 2226 cubic centimeters |
Diameter x stroke of the piston | 81,0 x 86,4 mm |
kW (hp) at rpm | 232 (315) / 6500 |
Nm at rpm | 410/3000 |
Max. speed | 262 km / h (163mph) |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
Drive | 4×4 quattro drive |
Front / rear brakes | disc / drum |
Fuel consumption (factory data) | 10.4 litre |
Total weight | 1630 kg |
Measured values | |
Acceleration 0–100 km / h | 6,5s |
Mileage with one charge | 390km |
Noise inside 50/100 km / h | 61/67 dB (A) |
Price | |
54,500 euro |
Reading Time • 2 min read
The action takes place in 1994. The goal is for Volkswagen to return to the World Rally Championship with the ambition to win the Monte Carlo Rally. The German company Schmidt Motorsport, based near the city of Fürth (Bavaria), is preparing a racing car for the Wolfsburg giant according to the requirements of the regulation. The secret Golf Plan from 1992 in Schmidt Motorsport received the designation A59 – from Auftragsnnummer 59 (“order number 59”). But Volkswagen does not allow this “order to appear” on the tracks.
An entirely new aluminum engine has been developed for the A59. It has a displacement of 2 liters, 4 valves per cylinder and electronically controlled fuel injection system. The “gentle” modification of the A59 develops a maximum power of 275 hp. at 6000 rpm and maximum torque of 367 Nm at 3500 rpm. All this is thanks to the KKK turbocharger. Schmidt does not reveal exactly how much power the racing machine had – but in any case, significantly higher than the “road” version. Currently, the moving prototype of the A59 can be seen in the VW Museum in Wolfsburg. Of course, there are enthusiasts who give their mk3 only the vision of the A59.
Anyone behind the wheel of the A59 should know what to do. The “runner” has a 6-speed transmission, 4×4 drive and three electronically controlled locks – the central, front and rear differential. They intelligently distribute traction between the four wheels. However, the 4-cylinder engine “pours” its power so spontaneously that inexperienced drivers will be unpleasantly surprised. And this is no accident: after all, the A59 is designed to accelerate as quickly as possible when exiting a corner and, in the event of a mistake, to move “with the doors forward”. Rally legend Walter Röhrl is involved in the development of the super-powerful Golf and personally participates in the tests of the Nurburgring’s car. On the tuning stage of Golf 3, the kits for A59 are in great demand.
Reading Time • 2 min read
We all dream how nice it would be to go on a long and adventurous walk with one of the Volkswagen Transporter models. And how does a T3 with a Porsche engine sound to you?
At 185 km / h on the highway, and in the back your wife is playing with the children? And you buy a Porsche! Businessmen are in a hurry for a meeting – and they need a 9-second acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h? You need a Porsche again! No, this is not a dream – but a reality. A slightly different Porsche with a 6-cylinder rear engine was created 35 years ago. It’s called B32 – and we’ll introduce you to its history.
In the early 80’s, Porsche’s head of development Helmut Bot (1925-1994) gave the green light for the design of the strange model, after the tuned Bulli presented itself brilliantly as a prototype. According to various sources, the number of units produced is between 15 and 20. A hot engine from Carrera runs in the back. Naturally, there is also air conditioning and a stove on board. The price of this bus was – 145,000 Deutsche Mark (74,000 euros). For comparison: in 1984, the Carrera 3.2 cost 66,950 Deutsche Mark (33,740 euros)!
Today, the prices of the “king of space” have not fallen. And the “911” in it works completely real – there is no trace of compromise. The boxer growls and spins like any standard 911, it is a “donor” to both the transmission and many components of the suspension. Well, the infinitely long path of the gear lever can be annoying. There are disc brakes only on the front, and when the bus is not loaded, you feel the settings for the track.
This unique combination drives Porsche fans crazy. Who loves the 911 and has a family, this is the perfect combination of luggage, comfort and a fast car.
Here are some of the basic technical details of this Porsche:
Car data | Porsche B32 |
---|---|
Engine | 6-cylinder, boxer |
Valves / camshafts | 12/2 |
Camshaft drive | Chain |
Working volume | 3125 cubic centimeters |
Diameter x stroke of the piston | 95.0 x 74.4 mm |
kW (hp) at rpm | 170 (231) / 5900 |
Nm at rpm | 284/4800 |
Max. speed | 185 km / h (115mph) |
Transmission | 5-speed manual |
Drive | rear-wheel drive |
Front / rear brakes | disc / drum |
Fuel consumption (factory data) | 15.6 litre |
Total weight | 2540 kg |
Measured values | |
Acceleration 0–100 km / h | 9.6s |
Mileage with one charge | 380km |
Noise inside 50/100 km / h | 60/66 dB (A) |
Price | |
66,463 euro |
Volkswagen has almost nothing to do with the creation of the B32, but without a doubt the Porsche bus, although unofficially, is the pearl in the crown of the T3.
source:autobild.bg
Reading Time • < 1 min read
Skoda aims to surpass Ford and Toyota, with the goal of being among the five best-selling brands in Europe by 2030. This was stated by CEO Thomas Schaefer. This is part of Skoda’s plan and the strategy will be achieved by “further strengthening the brand’s position in the entry-level segments,” Schaefer added.
Schaefer referred to the new small Fabia car, which will go on sale later this year with a starting price below 14,000 euros ($ 16,750).
Skoda is currently the 8th brand in Europe in terms of sales based on data from 2020 from the ACEA industry association, which reports registrations in the markets of the European Union, EFTA and the United Kingdom.
The brand is also rolling out sales of the Enyaq full-electric compact SUV, its first model based on VW’s MEB platform.
Skoda will have to overtake Ford and Toyota to reach the top five. The Volkswagen brand was the best-selling brand last year, followed by Renault, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Skoda sold 643,019 cars in Europe last year (2020). Of course, sales fell during the pandemic, but the carmaker increased its market share to 5.4% from 4.8% a year earlier.
Skoda was the second best-selling brand in the Volkswagen Group’s portfolio throughout Europe during the year.
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