Volkswagen Beetle Specifications: Full Technical Details

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Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world’s most iconic cars, spanning from the original air-cooled People’s Car of 1938 through to the modern water-cooled New Beetle. The original was produced in Malaysia until the early 2000s. This page covers the long production run.

Classic Beetle (1938-2003)

The original VW Beetle (Type 1, 1938–2003) used an air-cooled flat-four engine ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 litres, producing 25–78 hp, with a 4-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. Later Beetles used a fuel-injected 1.6-litre producing 51 hp.

Quick Specs Snapshot

Body 2-DOOR COUPE
Segment ECONOMY CAR
Seats 4
Fuel PETROL
Transmission 4-speed manual
Drive Rear-wheel drive

Engine & Performance

Engine displacement1,131–1,584 cc
Engine type1.1–1.6L Air-Cooled Flat-Four (Type 1)
Peak power18–58 kW (25–78 hp)
Peak torque80–117 Nm
Transmission4-speed manual
Driven wheelsRear-wheel drive

Dimensions & Weight

L × W × H4,080 × 1,540 × 1,500 mm mm
Wheelbase2,400 mm
Kerb weight1,243 kg

Capacities & Efficiency

Fuel tank40 L
Seats4
Fuel economy (city)≈10.0 L/100km (city estimate, later models)
Fuel economy (highway)≉7.5 L/100km (highway estimate)

Fuel figures are a summary — see the full breakdown on the Fuel Consumption page.

Chassis, Brakes & Suspension

Front brakesVentilated disc
Rear brakesDisc
Front suspensionDouble wishbone
Rear suspensionTorsion beam
SteeringRack and pinion
Front tyres205/55 R16

Model Timeline / Generations

Generations Overview

Gen. Years Engine Power Variants
Classic Beetle (1938-2003) 1938–2003 1.1–1.6 L 18–58 kW (25–78 hp) Not available

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the Volkswagen Beetle have?
The current Volkswagen Beetle is powered by a Multi Point F/INJ engine displacing 1,192–1,999 cc, producing 85 kW and 172 Nm of torque. It drives the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic; 4-speed manual; 5-speed manual.
How many seats does the Volkswagen Beetle have?
The Volkswagen Beetle is a 4-seater, seating a driver and up to 3 passengers across two rows.
What are the dimensions of the Volkswagen Beetle?
Full length, width, height and wheelbase figures are listed per generation in the Dimensions & Weight section above.
How many generations has the Volkswagen Beetle had in Malaysia?
Based on Mudah.my internal listing data, the Volkswagen Beetle has had 1 generation sold in Malaysia.
Where can I find Volkswagen Beetle for sale on Mudah.my?
Browse current Volkswagen Beetle listings across Malaysia on Mudah.my — filter by variant, year, mileage and location to find the right one near you.