From Google’s ever-expanding ways to help people (the lazy ones who heavily rely on the internet, that is), they bring us the Google Street View. But with those very intensive shots, did you know that a Volkswagen Beetle is one of the cars that are responsible for creating these images? Yes, the flag-bearer of the VW parts is indeed chosen to be modified for some street-picture-tripping. Popular Mechanics took a ride at how this went, and they hopped onto the “Immersive Media VW Beetle” to see how it works its magic.

There is a $45,000 Dodeca 2360 video camera atop the Beetle’s roof. This wonder camera works 11 lenses which record a 360 degree field of view at 30 frames per second. (The film Exorcist suddenly gets into my head by explaining that, reminding me of the scene where the girl’s head made a 360 degree-turn. I guess that is how this camera works.) With that span of time, 200 miles of city scenes per day were recorded. Now that is pretty amazing. The VW parts of the Beetle were like given an overhaul—the whole back seat and front passenger seat is occupied by all the gadgets that the camera needs. Impressively, it is controlled by an “off-the-shelf Logitech game controller”. The softball-sized video camera is now considered as a revolutionary tool, especially for making Street View Map possible.

The hi-tech Beetle is being driven by Kevin Nanzer, 23, a “geoimmersive data producer for Immersive Media”. He specializes mainly on spherical video—a technology that has been known to support Google advocacies like Google earth, etc. Nanzer, together with a co-worker, traverse through the streets of the country in order to get these shots.

“By the end, you’ll get to know the city better than the one you grew up in,” he says in an interview by Popular Mechanics. “You can call me if you’re lost in Oklahoma City, and I can tell you how to get somewhere. I know all the streets.”

This teched-out Volkswagen Beetle is just one out of the six cars in the States which drive around for the same purpose. The Beetle has definitely seen it all—from Hitler’s dictatorship to this modern age of video capturing—and they will last to see more.

Source: Popular Mechanics

We all know that Hitler commissioned the creation of the Beetle. Originally known as the Type 1, this car is Hitler’s vision of a five-passenger mode of transportation. Since then, as the cliché goes, everything was history. From creating VW parts for the Beetle, we now see Volkswagen stem out to provide other quality VW parts for other vehicles. But, little did we know, Volkswagen was a company rivaled in East Germany. Hence, the Beetle also has its “communist counterpart”, the Trabant or Trabi.

This little cutesy ride also rivaled the Beetle when it comes to being an icon. Even if its production halted in the year 1991, the Trabant is still successful in the many hearts that it won. Until today, Trabis are still used for transporting fun, and happy-go-lucky tourists in Germany. There are a lot of similarities between the Trabant and the Beetle. The Trabi just happens to be like the Beetle’s cheaper version, which was probably because it did not get funds from the government. Also, it received a connotation of being the “communist’s Beetle” because whereas the Beetle is employed by the Dictator Hitler, this car is not. It is a free-for-all entity.

So since there is not much tension between the Beetle and the Trabi (especially since this dictatiorship has long been over), let us congratulate and look back at Trabant’s glorious years. They have just reached their golden 50^th year. So, cheers to you, Beetle-bro!

Source: Reuters

Another iconic car of the Volkswagen company is the Type 2, or the VW Bus. This vehicle is said to be the Beetle’s “brother”, as the love bug was named Type 1. This makes the bus the second car to be designed by the German carmaker. This weekend, Volkswagen, together with a lot of people who enjoyed the VW parts of the Bus, will be celebrating its 60^th birthday in the industry. Sixty glorious years of being an old school utility vehicle and an iconic ride is not easy to achieve. After all, what other vehicle has that? You will find none, because the VW Bus is one of a kind.

Ideally good for long trips on the road, family cars, or even business vehicles—the VW bus definitely made its niche in the market, thanks to its high-quality VW parts. But this legend will not be hogging the limelight during its rightful celebration. The stage will be shared with legendary rock idols as well—The Who. This very appropriate combination of two unparalleled entities will really rock the Hanover Exhibition Centre. About hundreds of timeless and beautifully designed VW buses were expected to commemorate the occasion.

Since its early beginnings, the VW bus has become a witness of the generation too. From carrying families, to hippies, to rock band wannabes, to being utility vehicles—the VW bus has definitely seen it all. In fact, they even had some significant cameos in films like the award-winning Little Miss Sunshine, among others. With all that it has achieved, we can only say, happy, happy 60^th birthday VW bus!

In case you own a New Beetle and you don’t know, there really is a New Beetle Sunshine Tour. At least in Germany there is. For its neighboring countries too. In America though… Anyway, in order to celebrate the moment as the last New Beetle rolled off its plant last June, New Beetle owners from Europe got together last July to make the event more special. New Beetle owners, together with the Cabriolet and customized owners of VW parts showed up and made this occasion truly “one for the road”. It was held in Germany, in Lubeck, with a flower-power party to close, graced by the band New Beetles.

The most interesting part about this, is that this gathering of the VW parts loyalists was made possible by another owner. Take note, not Volkswagen, as this was not their gimmick or whatever. It was a private initiative by Gabriele Kraft back in 2004, and it has been a very colorful and successful event ever since. When will this kind of happiness ever reach the Statue of Liberty? Why not spread some sunshine to the land of milk and honey people? Start your own Sunshine Tour, because after all, “This meeting is not just about beautiful cars, but about the people that love the New Beetle,” Kraft said in an interview.

As a testament to the popularity of the much-loved Beetle, there is indeed no stopping its attempt to please the demand of the public. Up to this day, we still see Beetles go about the streets and even in tasteful pictures that want to convey all the great things that a Beetle can illustrate. For instance, when someone wants to create a homey, free-spirited feel, they will add a Beetle as an element. For instance, take soul singer Joss Stone’s video. Her music video for the song “Don’t Cha Wanna Ride” features her driving on the freeway with a cute 1302 Cabriolet, painted with flowers matching Joss’ music taste. This video is not the only avenue for viewers to glimpse the Beetle, in fact, as early as the 1950’s, the Beetle, with its VW Parts has long been recognizable in the big screen.

From a car that is used for car chases, to police cars, to the Baja bug, to a chick car, to a car that suits the humble gentleman, to a racing superstar—name the role, the Beetle’s played it all, thanks to the ever-reliable VW Parts. Perhaps the most notable film would be Herbie, since its number 53 badge has been made immortal with its antics. And just recently, (before Lindsay Lohan thought that drinking and driving was cool) they made a remake of the movie to introduce Herbie to a younger audience. Even Bumblebee, the well-loved autobot of the Transformers was originally a Beetle. (They made him a Chevy Camaro instead for the 2006 film adaptation since Herbie allegedly overshadowed Bumblebee’s stint as a Bug.) Even the New Beetle lands roles in films, mostly because of its cute and appealing look. Take note dudes, the New Beetle always gets the hot chicks. Remember Mandy Moore’s music video? How about Elisha Cutberth’s ride in the film “The Girl Next Door”, and Rachel McAdam’s New Beetle in “The Hot Chick”? Yeah, lucky car.

But even in the small screen, the Beetle has become a constant guest star too. Be it in cartoon form or in its conventional look, the Beetle definitely broke through the media and drove straight to the heart of the audiences. Let’s play Slug Bug. Try to check out movies and see if you spot one. Otherwise, you can check IMCDb for a more complete listing.

There is one remarkable vehicle that is sure to have infiltrated Pop Culture more than any other cars did—and that is the Volkswagen Beetle. While part of its success goes to the VW Parts, the car is still able to show how its individuality could cater to what everyone is looking for.

Remember Herbie? What about that unforgettable Beatles’ album Abbey Road, wherein a VW Beetle was captured in the photo? (Fast facts: Due to the band’s fame and the iconic popularity of the car, its license plate was reportedly stolen by fanatics, and it was later on exhibited at the Volkswagen Museum in Germany.) How about that famous car game called Slug Bug? (Fast Facts: This car game is played by whacking the person next to you—in a not-so hard manner—every time a Beetle passes by…which happens quite a lot.) Do any of these sound familiar? I’m sure they all do. The Beetle is as essential as learning how to cross a street. Indeed, the car’s round-shaped and very unique physique has brought it to be embossed in everyone’s minds. Not bad for a car that is named after an insect, huh?

As the generations passed since its birth in the 1930’s, its integral VW Parts all the more strengthened its might to be an all-around car. If you are familiar with the Baja Bug, this means that you know how good a Beetle can be when it is prepared to go for a ride on rough roads. As an avid fan of films, or even the small screen (cartoons or not), you will know just how much the Beetle has conquered the media too. Its new generation, the New Beetle, is just as popular, but nothing can outsell the classic Bug.

So, has the Beetle become a part of our culture? Yes, very much. In fact, just ask the children today. For in spite of Volkswagen’s permanent halt in producing Beetles, the kids still do know what it is, and just how essential it is to our roads.

Only one car managed to stand out in all the automotive industry’s eternity—and that is the Volkswagen Beetle. With its high-quality VW Parts, the name “Volkswagen” was finally able to realize its dream of becoming the ideal “People’s Car” through the Beetle.

It was the dictator Adolf Hitler who ordered carmaker genius Dr. Ferdinand Porsche to create the ideal car that could take two adults and three children at a speed of 100 kph. After presenting some sketches, Porsche gathered his men and they welcomed the first car of Volkswagen, the Type 1. 1932 was the year that saw it through, although during the war they had to halt the company’s production of cars since the plant was used to hold military equipment. After production has been revived, the name “Beetle” has been used after hearing a journalist use it to describe the car’s unique and stand-out physique. Since then, Hitler’s dream came alive and has remained to exist up to this day.

The Beetle has been unparalleled in its success not only in the market, but in being a car that is unmatched in terms of design as well. With the creation of the New Beetle, the car’s face may have been modified together with its VW Parts and engine, but the same appreciation for the car is still shown by its patrons. The Beetle is undoubtedly the best-selling car of all time—a true sign of immortality indeed. With all of its modifications and thousands of offspring, no street has not been graced by the much-loved Beetle.

Among the popular icons of the generation, the Beetle will stay for a long and prosperous drive on the road, regardless of plant productions and market value. This car, for almost 70 years since its birth, will continue to reign and serve the people as the real People’s Car.