Volkswagen Garbus – Tuning

The VW Beetle described below is not only an embellished product of the German company. Another car was created thanks to the owner's commitment. Little is left of the production car. But there is one thing that can never be taken away from him - his distinctive appearance, which makes some people pity, and in others it is a thrill.
Let's start with the engine. The fact that during his work you can not hear the sound of a factory engine so characteristic of the Beetle is not an auditory illusion. It happened thanks to the installation of a different power unit straight from Volkswagen. It is known from other models of this company 90 HP, in-line engine with a capacity 1800 cm3, water cooled. It is placed longitudinally, but to mount it, There is a special distance between the gearbox and the engine. The radiator went to the front of the car. This, however, was not enough for the owner. To add even more power, the serial carburetor was replaced by another, with sports parameters. As a result, the engine, mating with the standard four-speed gearbox, will benefit? 10 KM and has them equal now 100. Now the car's top speed fluctuates within limits 190 – 200 km / h, a acceleration from 0 do 100 km goes below 10s. The whole thing is completed by a custom-made exhaust, which comes out loud when idling and driving at high revs, bass clang. So that the VW Beetle could travel at these speeds on the roads, the modification had to be suspended. They were lowered, Fitted both front and rear with BLINSTEIN gas shock absorbers and widened (thanks to special distances) o 100 mm. Additionally, a reinforcing beam is installed between the columns. At the front, the factory springs have been replaced with JAMEX hard springs. The brake system remained virtually unchanged, which is surprisingly good at decelerating the car. At the rear, the car is equipped with standard drum brakes, and at the front it has disc brakes rarely found in Beetle, which were installed in its last versions.
As befits a tuned car, the brake drums and calipers are yellow, which harmonizes with the colors of the entire car. And here we come to the changes visible to the naked eye. It's all about the exterior and interior. Just removing the bumpers makes the Beetle more aggressive. The widened fenders and the large rear spoiler by SCHULT complete the picture. All this in a light blue metallic color, which gives the car a unique character. The widening of the fenders was also of practical importance. As a result, 7.5-inch ABT rims could be mounted. They are fitted with low-profile tires: in front of 205/55, in the back 215/55. They care, along with the above-described suspension, so that we can feel safe in fast cornering.
You can see attention to detail throughout the styling. Sports (as befits a Beetle) two exhaust tips, tinted rear windows, The sporty fuel filler and the dark lenses for the rear lamps complete the positive impression, what we experience when looking at a car. Even the serial black sheet metal joints have been replaced by yellow matching the color scheme. To better see the faces of the amazed, overtaken drivers the owner installed mirrors straight from the Fiat factory. And also chrome accessories: prog, rear air intake and door handle pads. It is then that we experience real pleasure, when we sit behind the wheel. We are welcomed by a fragrance so characteristic of luxury limousines, the smell of leather upholstery. The front seats are upholstered in beautifully matched yellow and navy blue leather, rear seat, door panels, headliner and dashboard. The color of the upholstery makes the interior of the car both sporty, and elegant. The front seats are a real luxury phenomenon. They come straight from Porsche 944 and were made by RECARO. They are electrically adjustable, heated, have adjustable width and inflatable backrests. Also the rear bench seat cannot be faulted. It comes straight from the Audi Coupe and it's just a shame, There is so little legroom behind the front seats in the Beetle. When we are comfortably seated in the driver's seat and look
ahead, we will be greeted by clocks borrowed directly from Porsche 911. The interior also features sports accessories such as a leather VICTOR steering wheel or an aluminum gear knob, which complete the luxurious-owl-sporty image of the interior.
VW Beetle owners talk about them, that they have a soul. Some automotive fans agree that they are right, others don't. But I assure you, that I don't know one, which at least once, out of curiosity, he would not have led such a stylized Garbie. If only that is why, to catch the eye of other drivers at each intersection. Because there are many Mercedes, Jaguars a little less, but such a VW Beetle as described above only one.