Few car brands have received as much column space as Volkswagen. Primarily the cars, but also matters concerning industry, the car industry and politics. Does Volkswagen have a stake in the Federal Republic of Germany?
Building models is demanding. One small mistake can cause the whole project to crash and spoil hours of work. That's what happened when I tried to build a fighter plane 25 years ago.
Challenge accepted!
"But I'm not too old to build a model kit", I have said without putting any emphasis on it. This year I received a model set – Volkswagen Samba Bus with 23 windows as a Christmas present. A detailed "kit" officially approved by Volkswagen. My daughter and son-in-law had taken me at my word. When the last Christmas party was over and everyone had gone home, I poured myself a Single Malt and began to study the model set. My wife had already started putting together a puzzle with 1500 pieces and a monotonous pattern. Puzzles and model kits are the same thing, right?
The fun is in the construction
Aware of damage from earlier, I went through the entire build without glue to get an overview so that I didn't have to face any negative surprises towards the end of the project. Then I could also paint some of the parts in advance. Eventually I had laid out all the important parts on the table, ranked according to which part of the building instructions they belonged to - in the same way as when I overhaul proper cars. As the hours pass, I notice how engaging it is to build the beautiful bus with 23 windows and three rows of seats. I don't know what I'm going to do with it when it's finished, but it's great fun putting the pieces together. I think it's more meaningful than putting puzzles. And what do you actually do with a completed puzzle?
Revell 1:24 Volkswagen T1 Samba
Volkswagen T1
I have never worked with a real Volkswagen T1 before, but remember the car well from my childhood. The family of a childhood friend had an early T1 Transporter. As a small boy, he suffered a concussion after falling from the engine compartment while the car was moving. There were no requirements for safeguarding children in the early 60s. Later, the family acquired a newer T1 – this time a 1965 Double Cab with two rows of seats and a wide rear window.
The engines in the T1 were the same as in the Volkwagen Type1 (Bobble/Beetle). In 1962 it was a 1200 engine with 34 hp. A full-fledged Samba had a full sunroof, comfortable benches and windows both along the side and in the roof. The interior was luxurious compared to the Transporter.
23 windows Volkswagen Bus
Inside VW Samba Bus
Welcome to this 1962 Volkswagen Bus
engine room
White over Fire Red – a classic combination
It takes more than you think to put it together
Volkswagen T1 Bus – The Original
Advice and tips for construction
It can be worthwhile to go through all the building steps in advance. Feel free to assemble parts without glue first. Some parts should be painted before they are put together, for example inside the engine compartment and the interior of the cabin. Avoid getting paint on surfaces that will be glued together later. Not only does the paint inhibit the adhesive's ability to stick - but thick layers of paint can also change the dimensions of substructures so that they do not fit when they are to be assembled together later.
Skilled model builders apply varnish with airspray and prime the surfaces first. I chose to use the included brush. The new water-based colours, which are included, have little coverage, so you have to apply several layers. No problem as the paint dries quickly. But quick-drying paint makes the brush strokes visible after the color has dried.
Tools you will need include tweezers, scissors and a knife to loosen the parts from the boards. A toothpick and a needle can be useful for drilling/expanding holes covered in paint. A black marker can be used to "paint" parts in the engine and suspension. Marking around the windows with a black marker makes it look like rubber strips. A red/orange marker can color the taillight and turn signal glass. Office tape can be used for simple masking.
Pictures of the Volkswagen T1
Samba buses with 23 windows are of model year before 1964. The narrow rear windows got extra windows on each side that curved around the corners. After 1964, all T1 variants received a full-covering rear window that left no room for rear corner windows. These buses were therefore equipped with "only" 21 windows as shown in the pictures below.
You rarely get to look through the skylights on a T1.
15-window T1 bus (Esher UK, 2017).
With today's prices for T1 samba, one might as well buy the toy version.
Volkswagen T1 11-window bus. The spartan driver's seat that characterizes the T1 (Oslo NO, 2016).
Volkswagen bus "Samba" with 21 windows
Matching 21-window bus and bubble.
About the model set
Producer: Revell
Material: Plastic, rubber wheels and decals
Authentic model of 1962 Volkswagen T1 Samba
Scale: 1: XNUM
Length of car: 18,1 cm
Number of parts: 173
Age limit: 13 years
Difficulty: 5 (out of 5)
Equipment: Glue, paints and a brush.
Variants: USA or Euro
Construction time: ~4 days.
Two generations of VW buses. The closest from 1954 (Esher UK, 2017).
There are many visual similarities between the first and the last convertibles from Karmann despite the fact that there is over 30 years in between. The lines and shape of the canopy are the same. But the Volkswagen Cabriolet is not just about Karmann.
No bargains
A friend of mine is carrying a dream. Last year he took a photo of a two-tone Volkswagen 1303 S Cabriolet. He would like to buy one like that - and since he is a handyman, he could imagine buying one that he could renovate himself. The problem - as I see it - is that "everyone" is hunting for convertible-type people cars to refurbish - and now I don't think there are that many left, - and the ones that could be found again may have increased in value.
A quick look at the car exchanges confirms my suspicion. If you're going to have a "real" convertible, you'll probably have to shell out a couple - three hundred thousand for one that can be driven home on its own. But there are still restoration objects that have been stored, and which can now be picked up on trailers. Prices start at NOK 100. When rust is welded, wear parts replaced, new paint applied and a new canopy fitted, you will probably be able to sell it on for a couple of - three hundred thousand kroner. Not a deterrent, given that we are talking about a car with high cult status. But they were cheaper before.
Karmann Cabriolet1958 Volkswagen 1200 Convertible
Real convertible?
Did you notice I wrote "real" convertible. In that I add that it is about convertibles supplied by Volkswagen, although this was not something Volkswagen did itself. All the convertibles have been rebuilt by independent coachbuilders. From the mid-50s, all were rebuilt by Karmann. Previously, Volkswagen also had cars rebuilt by Papler and Hebmüller. Over the years, many cars have also been rebuilt by new players unrelated to Volkswagen. Some projects are based on conversion kits - others on free imagination. Some were successful - others not. The ones you can buy cheap.
1951 Volkswagen Hebmüller Convertible
Volkswagen Hebmüller Cabriolet
Early years
The idea of developing convertibles based on Volkswagen cars was put into practice in 1948. Two renowned, independent, German coachbuilders, Karmann and Hebmüller, were commissioned. They developed completely different concepts. Hebmüller chose a "speedster" concept where the canopy was folded in around the rear seat. It gave the body a clean and sleek profile, although the stylish shape came at the expense of space in the back seat. Hebmüller therefore became a 2+2 seater. Karmann followed a more conventional concept where the canopy was lowered outside the compartment - in the same way as was done in the interwar period. Thus, the back seat could be used in its entirety.
Hebmüller went bankrupt in 1952 as a result of a fire that spread to the production plant. The company was not covered by any fire insurance and could not continue. A third coachbuilder, Papler, built special open commando vehicles for the police and military. Today, cars from Hebmüller and Papler are rare - and sought after by collectors all over the world.
1950 Volkswagen Hebmüller's Cabriolet solution stole a lot of space in the back seat.
Karmann continued to convert cars into convertibles according to the same design that they started with in 1948. The canopy solution, the raised window section and the straight, braced A-pillars meant that the convertibles had the same visual impact over the years. Had Hebmüller continued to deliver its canopy solutions, today one would be able to choose cars with the streamlined design. Sleek, sporty bodies were later to be supplied by independent suppliers such as Hoffmann, Ostermann og Dannert. It can be said that there has always been a market for converted Volkswagen cars in designs other than Karmann, and thus several players have covered this market - both with Porsche-inspired fiberglass bodies, and standard cars with truncated roofs and compact canopy solutions.
There are videos on the internet where amateurs cut the roof off their wagons with angle grinders and convert them into convertibles. There are also cars that can be mistaken for "real" cars built by Karmann. Although several have been rebuilt by professional car builders, it may pay to check whether the convertible you are about to buy was originally built by Karmann. If you are going to buy a custom-built car, it should come with documentation.
A Volkswagen 1200 converted into a convertible. Note that the original windshield has been retained.
From the interior. Bast baskets and flower tassels are great extras in old bubbles.
Cars with flat windscreens are surrounded by marked, straight A-pillars (except 1972 Volkswagen 1302 S). The cars have a triangular window in the front side window. Both front and rear side windows can be cranked down. Furthermore, Karmann has a higher waist, separate air openings on the back cover, as the canopy covers the original ventilation. They also have reinforced channels. When the cars were new, they had a Karmann logo placed on the side panel in front of the right-hand door, although these often disappear after restoration. Finally, the cars have chassis numbers starting with "15" followed by the last digit of the year, for example "159" for cars manufactured in 1979 (and 1969). Another check you can make is to check in the vehicle registration card. The Volkswagen Karmann Cabriolet is only registered for 4 people - not 5.
Volkswagen 1303S Cabriolet
1973 Volkswagen 1303.
Karmann logo - right side panel in front of the door.
1973 1303 LS Karmann Cabriolet (Oslo NO, 2016).
1973 1303 LS Karmann Cabriolet (Oslo NO, 2016).
Electrical conversion?
There are standard kits for converting air-cooled Volkswagens to electric operation, with electric motors that can be fitted into existing flywheel housings. The solutions are relatively expensive, probably far more than what a professional overhaul of the existing drivetrain will cost. Vans are popular classics such as electric cars, but so far I have not been able to track down converted convertibles. The reason may be that the Karmann Cabriolet weighs 100 kg more than the standard Volkswagen - with a correspondingly smaller payload - and thus less capacity for batteries. In any case, electric operation may make the car more usable in daily use, but it will no longer be an authentic classic. You can also ask yourself: Will vintage cars with today's battery technology be in demand in 20 years?
1974 Volkswagen 1303 S Convertible
Facts about the 1979 Volkswagen 1303 S Karmann Cabriolet
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 419 x 159 x 150 cm
Wheelbase: 242 cm
Net weight without driver: 940 kg
Payload: 275 kg
Number of seats: 4
Drivetrain
Engine: 4-cyl. boxer with or without injection, rear mounted
Gearbox: 4-speed via transaxle
Performance (standard)
Engine power: 50 hp
Top speed: 130 km/h
Volkswagen Cabriolets
Volkswagen 1302S Karmann convertible
About the pictures
The main picture was taken Volksworld 2017 in Sandown at the exhibition to VW Cabriolet Owners Club GB. The picture of the Hebmüller car with the canopy down has been taken Air cooled 2021 in Tossa de Mar, Catalonia. The catalog image is borrowed from Anders de Lange's archive. The photos of the 1949 Karmann are old press photos distributed by FavCars.com. The red 1958 model was photographed during an excursion organized by Veteran VW club, Asker and Bærum. The yellow converted car was photographed on the occasion of Cars & Coffee, Øvrevoll gallop, 2016. It is a 1964 model. The image of the 1965 Karmann is provided by FavCars.com. The blue Volkswagen 1303 S converted into a Roadster-like convertible was photographed during a stay in a private garage in Fornebu. The brown Volkswagen 1303 S Karmann is pictured during a Volkswagen meeting at Folkemuseet in 2016. The light blue 1303 S was photographed at Rud in Bærum. The blue Volkswagen 1302 S with a flat windscreen is photographed at VolksWorld in 2017.
The two most important features an electric car should have are a long range and 4-wheel drive. Both parts ensure that you get all the way through. The latter can also save lives.
Yes please, both
When we drove the ID.4 three years ago, it was a "long range" version without 4-wheel drive. The ID.4 GTX had just been released on the market and it was said that the 4 wheel drive would steal valuable range. I then concluded that range trumped 4-wheel drive. But the range of the ID.4 GTX is actually quite sufficient, so then it must be permissible to say "yes thank you" to both parts?
There were a couple of things I wanted to look into with the ID.4 GTX.
No snow
The only car-sharing service that had an ID.4 with 4-wheel drive in its stable was Hertz Bildeling. After a short bus ride, I found a free rental car while the wife was on a shopping trip with the family's "primary car". I was only going out on a small errand as an excuse to rent, but took an extra long way home while the snowflakes fluttered in the air. This time the snow wouldn't settle in the lowlands, but a couple of weeks ago the 4-wheel drive could really have had the chance to show what it's worth.
The front bumper and the air intakes share space. Creates an underbite impression.
The revisit with ID.4 gave me the opportunity to also examine another thing. I like to experience how the cars I drive settle into the bends on the country road - an important interaction between car and driver. A good car "sits down" at the entrance to the bend and almost steers itself through. Three years ago I drove the ID.4 for the first time. Then I had to put the car in "Sport" driving mode to get the car to track correctly. The "fault" - if I may say so - was in the "Comfort" driving program. I always choose "Comfort" in the cars I drive, because "Sport" often makes the cars unnecessarily fussy.
I didn't have to go fast to get the same feeling in the GTX. At 60 km/h on the old Mossevei along Lake Gjersjøen, I got back the old memories. "Comfort" is not suitable for such country roads, but in "Sport" everything worked much better. Driving mode selection can affect throttle response, steering resistance, regenerative braking, 4-wheel drive and – in cars with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) – also the suspension. I think "Comfort" could have benefited from being less "Eco". If the driving program cuts the engines' torque when I slow down into the turn, it can affect how the car takes the turn. Late throttle response can also destroy what I would call driving pleasure during active road driving.
When I took over the car, I also noticed that it was already in Sport mode by the previous driver(s). Thumbs up! Feel free to post a comment about your own experiences.
Let me also add that the ID.4 GTX has a driving program called "Traction" which provides maximum 4-wheel grip. Just that can save you a lot of trouble during the winter, especially if you drive and park in Oslo. You get the best effect if you put the car in Traction before you start spinning.
Sport mode with red mood lights
Drive mode selector
Regenerative braking
In cars from Volkswagen, you can choose for yourself whether you want regenerative braking or not. In demanding winter conditions, it can be good. Last year, the NAF stated that you should not use regenerative braking on smooth roads as it can cause you to lose grip. When the gear lever is in "D", the car rolls freely when you lift the accelerator. If you push the gear selector forward one more time, "B" is selected, where the car instead brakes and returns power to the batteries. Since I'm used to riding with one pedal, I prefer "B". I doubt that the moderate regenerative braking can cause problems on the smooth.
As a general rule, it can pay to drive in "D" on motorways and "B" in the city. The latter means that you can drive smoothly through intersections without jolts and jolts, like an old taxi. By the way, have you noticed how popular the ID.4 GTX has become in the taxi industry?
Plenty of space in the back seat - also behind me, who is 1,88 meters tall.
Good size and ski hatch
Idyll from Enerhaugen in Oslo.
Family car
As a family car, a long range and 4-wheel drive is not enough. You must also have place. I think many have traded in their old Passat or Tiguan for a new ID.4. They are unlikely to have any negative experiences with regard to space. With the possibility of fitting a roof box and 4-wheel drive, the ID.4 GTX is a great cabin car. The GTX can tow a trailer of 1200 kg, 200 kg more than cars with rear-wheel drive.
Range
The range on the GTX is still lower than on rear-wheel drive models, but approximately 500 km on paper gives a real range of approximately 400 km - which means that you should charge around 300 km, or after 3 hours on the road. This is on a par with the best - and places no limitations either in daily use or on long-distance driving. The stated range of "my" car is 496 km. On my trip I used a decent 22 percent of the battery capacity – 90 km on dry roads with an outside temperature of 0 degrees and 21,5 degrees inside.
The 2024 model gets new engines
"My" ID.4 was registered earlier this year. If you order a new ID.4 now, you will get the 2024 model. From what I can see, there are no external changes, but both electric motors should be upgraded – more horsepower and better range, specifically 340 hp instead of 299 and a range of 512 km instead of 496. You also get a new heated steering wheel , new gear selector and new rims. The infotainment system should have had a larger screen and perhaps better functionality. Today's system has received a lot of criticism from the motoring press for, among other things, being too slow. In any case, I managed to select a radio station and get the navigation system to guide me back to the car's fixed parking space.
For those who wonder if 4-wheel drive has anything to do with winter driving, just think of rutted, poorly plowed roads with grooves of snow and slush between the wheel tracks and oncoming traffic. Good trip with traction on all wheels!
Nice rear light arrangement
Fact ID.4 GTX (2023)
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 458 / 185 / 164 cm
Wheelbase: 277 cm
Net weight: 2216 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1200 kg
- without brakes: 750 kg
Luggage compartment: 543 litres
Roof load: 75 kg
Drivetrain
Battery pack: Lithium Ion, 77 Kwh from LG Chem, Poland
Engine 1: Electric, located in the rear axle, 204 hp, 545 Nm
Engine 2: Electric, located in front, 109 hp, 134 Nm
Total power: 299 HP
Gearbox: Stepless.
4-wheel drive.
Performances
Top speed: 180 km/h
0-100: 6,2 seconds
Range
WLTP: 496 km
Own measurement: 391 – 409 km, quiet country road at 0 degrees.
Tires
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Yokohama IceGUARD G075
Price
ID.4 GTX: 509 (promotional offer)
About the car
Place of production: Emden, Germany
Owner: Hertz Car sharing
Model: 2023
Mileage: 9259
Km driven: 90
Smiley faces and surfing
🙂 Range, 4-wheel drive, space
🙁 Vague steering and slow throttle response in Comfort
Yes, here comes another newsletter from Brazil with local VW stories and events, - the story of the "SERRA BUGS" car event, which is the eighth in the series, in the "village" of ITAIPAVA.
It started with a coffee chat in the office, a summer day (winter day actually) after I came back down to Rio after a short summer holiday (winter holiday actually) in August. Still confused? Good…
The seasons are, as you might understand, the opposite down here, so it's very easy to get confused when we talk about what we're going to do in a given holiday season, when you have to switch between who you're talking to, Rio colleagues or family at home. In any case, since the temperature or looking out the window does not help, as it does at home, one must actually check the calendar.
Well, we quickly found out that a car meet that is not too far away, and which also takes place on a weekend - we must be able to find that. As said, so done. Pleasant colleagues, as well as previously mentioned colleague Arcindo, hinted at a car meeting already the following weekend, and only a short drive away. I therefore received an invitation via Instagram to a meeting called "Serra Bugs", which was the eighth in a series of annual meetings for this small club in Itaipava outside Petropolis.
My colleague Einar and I agreed to book a hotel and go on a trip. The problem was that I still hadn't got the Brazilian license, so then we either had to hire a car with a driver, or take a bus. The latter was not very tempting, but after casually mentioning the upcoming excursion during another coffee break with my boss Andre Pires, he volunteered as driver and tour guide as his wife had gone away just this weekend, and that he could also say that he liked both cars and beer. YES! Thus, the plan was in the box. A lovely little Fiat was hired for the trip, and 3 adults in this little gunpowder case should be a fun experience on our excursion.
What I was NOT aware of was that there was a little "Ayrton Senna" (a local and somewhat famous car man) living in my boss! And the trip from Rio de Janeiro city, via Petropolis, therefore became an experience with hands clasped in the roof strap, on a two-lane road up the mountain side with slalom maneuvering between cars and screeching tires, in addition, the stomach muscles really got rid of balls of laughter as the trip progressed forth. In any case, we arrived safely after approx. 1,5 hours to the small town of Itaipava. We found the incredibly cozy hotel we had booked, which actually felt more like visiting a friend in his luxury home...
After a quick unpacking, we headed down to the park in Itavpava, where the meeting was. And WHAT a hit! A gigantic park with beautiful cars everywhere (97% VW), with beer stalls everywhere, as well as "churrasquieira" (grill/barbecue) in all shapes and sizes. It was also arranged that entry was free, but everyone who handed in 5 kg of food (flour/rice etc) was entered into the draw for a VW Brasillia. This is to give something back to all the poor in the immediate area, as poverty is HUGE in Brazil in general. A fantastically great idea by the club!
The car (VW Brasillia) is very similar to a VW 412 seen from Norwegian eyes, but somewhat shorter. This was placed quite conspicuously approx. 20 meters up in the air, on a mobile crane hook, next to the big LIVE stage. Yes, of course there was live music all day with different bands…
After more than 3000 (!) cars, a few barbecue skewers and maybe a couple of glasses of beer later, we of course ran into a colleague from offshore (what are the odds?) who turned out to both live there, own a VW (the very short one) and who knew the right people at the meeting. Because, of course, there was an SP2 on display, so I had to have a chat with this man. After I was taken to Mr. Galpao and started talking about cars, he says; "All these 5 cars here are mine", and pointed to the row of various cars (not just VW). "That's right!", I answered shortly. "Not bad to have 5 identical cars at the same meeting". My chin dropped quite far to my chest when he responded with "Yes, 5 may seem like a lot, but I have 150 cars in total..." (of all days; what kind of guy is this?)
Of course, I had to find out more about this, and quickly returned to my local colleague to find out more about this figure and his claim. Yes, it could be confirmed that this man had approx. 150 cars and had inherited them all from his father who was a very big car collector in Itaipava, and who was well known in the veteran environment as a passionate car collector and restorer of old vehicles. WOW! We MUST be able to check this out, right? What does it take to get a look at these cars?
Yes, his mechanic was standing right across the street and willingly talked about all these stripped down cars they had a full time keeping running, as almost all of them were in very good condition or restored to their original condition. He could of course show us the cars if it was OK for the owner? Yes!!
It was then agreed to meet at a specified address the following day at 08:00 (!) I couldn't help but accept this invitation, although something in the back of my mind protested wildly at the time, as years of experience tell me that this could be VERY early after a long evening of cars , food, beer and music (and of course good company).
Of course, the back of your mind was absolutely right, because back at the hotel there was a billiards tournament with the other guests late into the night. The next morning I woke up to my boss standing in the middle of my room calling my name, and thought I had to get on my feet if the agreement was not to be broken.
I managed to drag myself out of bed and could ascertain that I was sleeping very heavily with a combination of a lot of drink, and both hearing aids on charge... He thought the worst since I hadn't answered all his phone calls, and not least the pounding on my door like the rest of the hotel heard... but not me... After a quick breakfast, we got into the car, only one hour behind the agreed attendance, but fortunately my colleague and the mechanic had persevered and waited for these strange Norwegians.
The gigantic gate opened, and -WOW- what a sight greeted us! One polished car after another was lined up in a large garage, sorted by car type, year model, colour, size, yes, you name it! Damn flat so raw! I think the pictures manage to convey most things, but still have to say that everyone should have experienced this, because the quality and presentation of each individual vehicle was magical. Of course, it wasn't just VW, but they were fairly overrepresented.
There was also a separate department with both MCs and mopeds. In fact, he also had all the Honda CB Super Bike sizes from the 70s as well. And a separate department with all the Yamaha DT 125cc models, every year from 1980 to 1990. In addition, he had some 275cc motocrossers, of the Agral SXT 275 brand, but this is beyond the author's knowledge without Googling...
In addition, there was a long line of other motorbikes, and even ordinary tricycles of unknown makes, but a rich and fun selection that was a feast for the eyes.
Own range of both Chervrolet's (Opala), some selected Mopar, Ford, various Japanese, French and not least a lovely little yellow Fiat Sport Coupe 850. Also an impressive collection of all sorts of rarities through the -70s and -80s with everything from MC helmets to telephones (even a Norwegian 1967 model) and refrigerators and model cars.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, and hope there will be as much space as possible in this article, because I sent a lot of pictures!
See
Puma
From its base in Rio de Janeiro depicts Curt Fauskanger car enthusiasm and the Brazilian car brand Puma. The Puma GT is a car that makes you want to own it at first sight. See more
At Les lacs de Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts ready for a walk and picnic
In recent years, I have gotten to know high-built small cars. If you are looking for a rental car on holiday, this is a class that offers a lot of car for the money.
Disappears from Norway
In recent years I have driven many miles in high-built small cars such as Skoda Kamiq, Audi Q2, Citroen C3 Aircross, Opel Mokka, Renault Captur and most recently, Volkswagen T-Cross. I could go on to mention cars such as Seat Arona, Peugeot 2008, Opel Crossland, Nissan Juke and Toyota C-HR - all built on the same concept. None of them have been successful in Norway and are unlikely to be either. Perhaps because they end up between two seats - too small for families with children and too big as a second car. Today, only Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka are brought into Norway because they are delivered as electric cars.
Favorable as a rental car
I rent cars in Barcelona - always the same class - high-built small cars. Sixt recognizes my muzzle, without the muzzle factor playing any major role. Occasionally I get upgraded for free, but last weekend the Formula 1 circus came to town, and then I had to make do with what I ordered - a Volkswagen T-Cross. It could just as easily have been a Skoda Kamiq, Seat Arona or Audi Q2. They share the same platform and drivetrain. The 1,0 TSI 110 hp with manual 6-speed gearbox is an absolutely excellent drive for these cars.
Visit the old factory outlet for fabrics and espadrilles in the Catalan village of Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans.
Big car feeling
The Volkswagen T-Cross is produced together with the Polo in Pamplona, Spain. The primary target group for this model is probably located primarily in Southern Europe, in places where the car fleet and road standards are not top class. The T-Cross offers a lot of car for the money, both for the buyer and the renter. I like it because it is affordable to rent, comfortable and drives well. I know it's based on the Polo, but it surprisingly feels much more like a big car. You get a lot by sitting higher, with less noise from the engine and the road, but it must be more than extra height and more rubber in the tires that creates this big car feeling. I'm sure Volkswagen has made some tweaks to the chassis, maybe longer suspension travel, different damping? I feel that the T-Cross is more of a T-Roc "light" than a high-built Polo.
On the highway between Figueres and La Jonquera
1,0 TSI engine
In Europe, you can get the cars with either 95 hp or 110 hp. The largest engine previously produced 115 hp, but from 2022 it was downgraded to 110 hp. The 110 horse is better suited to the Volkswagen Group's high-built models than the 95 horse. With 110 hp, you get a 6-speed manual gearbox instead of 5-speed. Both gearboxes are nice to operate, but the 6-speed gearbox means that you can "cruise" steadily at 120 km/h on Spanish motorways with a very pleasant and low rpm. You notice it a bit on consumption, but mostly on comfort. In the countries around the Mediterranean, most people still choose manual transmission, and they do so wisely when it comes to the T-Cross (and the other sister models). The automatic option 7-speed DSG unfortunately often gives a "lag" when starting from a standstill. If you have to go out on a busy road, your heart will be in your throat. This is also experienced in PSA's models (PureTech 130 hp with EAT6). It is better to put the gear lever in "S" before setting off, but that is not how it should be.
Stop in the lovely Spanish village of Tapis for a lunch break.
Place
Tall cars provide more space. The T-Cross has 385 liters of luggage space, which can be expanded to 455 by pushing the rear seat forward. We could bring two not-too-large suitcases with the back seats intact. The trunk is divided into two parts. By removing the middle plate, you can load in height - not so much in length.
Suitable for day trips
The Volkswagen T-Cross fulfills many purposes – as a small family car, a car for grandparents or active young people. For us it worked well as a comfortable and affordable day trip car for up to 4 adults. The photos were taken on some of our trips. T-Cross is one of the best representatives in the class of high-built small cars – the class that offers the most car for the money.
I cannot bring the Volkswagen T-Cross back to Norwegian sales premises, but recommend ordering one like this the next time you rent a car elsewhere in Europe. Then you get more out of your holiday budget.
Return of car in Barcelona
Facts about the Volkswagen T-Cross
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 411 x 176 x 157 cm
Wheelbase: 255 cm
Net weight: 1270 kg (without driver)
Payload: 395 kg
Number of seats: 5
Boot: 385 – 455 litres
Trailer with brakes: 1200 kg
without brakes: 630 kg
Roof load: 75 kg
Drivetrain
Engine: 1,0 TSI MV
Power: 110 HP
Torque: 200 Nm @ 2000-3000 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual MQ200-6F
Front wheel drive
Performances
Top speed: 189 km/h
0-100: 10,8 seconds
consumption
Stated consumption WLTP combined: 0,57/10 km
Measured consumption: 0,51 (195 km – average speed 88 km/h)
Tires
Dimension: 205/65 R16
Type: Summer tire
About the car
Place of production: Pamplona, Spain
Owner: sixt.es
Model: 2022
Mileage: 11296
Km driven: 766
Rental period: 10 days
Source: volkswagen.de
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Volkswagen has given us an insight into a model that could take a big hit from the electric car market in a couple of years. It's about price, space and a C-pillar reminiscent of Golf's early models.
Popular price
Volkswagen's world premiere of the ID.2all sends signals that it may be possible to reach the EU's goal of ending the sale of new cars on petrol and diesel from 2035. One of the arguments against this goal is price. In countries without the same incentives for electric cars as we have in Norway, electric cars cost significantly more than fossil cars. According to Volkswagen, the ID.2all will be priced at 25 euros. They have also announced that they will come with a smaller model for under 000 euros. By comparison, the Renault Zoe costs 20 euros in France.
Polo on the outside – Golf on the inside
Interior space should correspond to the Golf. Externally, the ID.2 measures just 4,05 meters in length – about the same as today's Polo. The space advantage can be explained by the fact that the compartment extends quite far forward over a relatively short engine compartment. Apart from the battery pack, which is located at the bottom of the MEB platform, all drivetrain is located at the front in the engine compartment - and delivers the power to the front wheels. The other MEB-based models are basically rear-wheel drive. The boot space is a whopping 490 litres, 50 liters of storage under the rear seats and 440 liters in the back. According to the picture from the trunk, it looks like you can load deep. Today's Golf has a luggage compartment of 380 litres.
The C-pillar is coming back!
It is pleasing to see that Volkswagen has found a return to a good design based on simple and solid lines, especially the C-pillar which is reminiscent of early Golf models. Today's ID.3 and ID.4 lack character and brand identity. The competition in the B class can be fierce. For established car brands, such as Volkswagen, brand identity is important.
The competitors
The fact that Volkswagen wants to show that it has an ace up its sleeve may be to stop the competition. We have previously written about Chinese ORAs, which have started to gain a foothold in Germany. As early as next year, Renault's new Zoe successor will come with lines inspired by the Renault R5. But they can hardly match the prices of the new ID.2. This means that one can of course ask questions about whether Volkswagen manages to stick to its plans. It is worth mentioning that Volkswagen also has another ace up its sleeve – the establishment of its own battery factory, PowerCo in Salzgitter. There, they plan to start production of their own battery packs in 2025, the same year that ID.2 arrives.
Volkswagen ID.2all
ORA 300 Pro
Ready in 2024. Renault 5 prototype (Photo: Renault)
Fact ID.2all
Platform: MEB Entry, FWD
Power: 226 HP
Range: 450 km
0-100: < 7 seconds Length, width, height: 405 x 181 x 153 cm Wheelbase: 260 cm Luggage volume 490 liters
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If you are going to buy an older electric car, it is of great importance to know how much the batteries have lost. If you are unlucky, you can end up with the "cat in the bag" without being successful in some instances. No one is required to disclose the health of the batteries. You have to find out for yourself.
Much to gain from checking battery health
When the first electric cars arrived, many were skeptical about the lifespan of the batteries. Therefore, an extended warranty was given. Everyone knows that batteries lose weight over time, but no one can predict exactly how much. By comparing 8-10 year old cars of the same model and year, you see clear variations. As the batteries gradually wear down over several years, it can be easy to forget to check the batteries before the warranty expires. And for those of you who are looking for a good electric car from an older vintage: Of course you should check the battery's health before signing a contract!
Let's go back to 2015
Then ordinary people could buy full-fledged electric cars - cars that could be used on longer journeys and that looked like real cars. The Nissan Leaf was already well established when it was joined by the Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3 and KIA Soul. Today, 8 years later, we can state that the cars have withstood the test of time well, both technically and visually. They are good options for first-time buyers and as the family's number 2 or 3 car.
KIA Soul EV
KIA Soul
On the road with the KIA Soul
Watch out for bullshit!
It was a breath of fresh air on the electric car market with its tough, youthful design and – for its time – "large" battery pack with more capacity than the competition. Net 27 kwh and 30,5 kwh gross. From 2018, the net capacity increased to 30 kwh. KIA gave a 7-year guarantee of at least 70% battery capacity. Several owners have reported large capacity losses, so if you own a KIA Soul, you should check the batteries before the warranty expires. The remaining capacity can be read via the car's OBD2 connector, or have it checked at any workshop.
Prices
The 2015 KIA Soul is offered today for between NOK 80-120. Stated range is 000 km (NEDC).
Find battery health
The remaining battery capacity can be easily read via the OBD2 connector which you will find under the cover on the lower left of the dashboard. An OBD2 dongle costs only a few hundred Swedish kroner and can be purchased online. Make sure it supports the CAN protocol and fits your phone (Android or Iphone). With the dongle in the socket, you can connect via Bluetooth with apps such as "SoulSpy" or "Torque". Go to "Vehicle" data. The field is called SOH (State of Health) and shows the remaining battery capacity in percentage.
If the seller is a car dealer with a workshop, ask them to check the SOH, regardless of whether the seller tries to convince you that it is not right or necessary. It only takes 5 minutes. If you are going to buy from a private person, it is not as easy to fumble with an OBD2 dongle and app, if you cannot do it together with the seller. If you cannot read the status, you must try to calculate the range based on remaining km and remaining charge. It is the only basis for documenting that the batteries are relatively intact. You have to trust the numbers - not what the salesperson tells you.
Sales image. 49km over 13/18 dashes reveals either an uneconomical driving style or a battery that has lost a lot.
Nissan Leaf
Battery capacity and condition (dotted line at outer edge)
2015 Nissan Leaf
Ordinary people's turn!
In contrast to today's government, Nissan understood early on what this term meant, when they were the first car manufacturer to make full-fledged electric cars for most people. The Nissan Leaf has proven to last for many years and is a very safe used car purchase. On cars between 2013 and 2015, the battery pack is 22 kwh net - 24 kwh gross. with a stated range of 199 km (NEDC). From 2016, the Leaf could be delivered with batteries of 28 kwh net - 30 kwh gross. Nissan only gave a 5 year/100 km warranty on the first battery packs. Extended warranty of 000 years 8% was introduced for battery packs from 70 kwh and above.
Prices
The 2014 Nissan Leaf is offered for between NOK 70-90 (source: Finn.no), and 000 models for between NOK 2015-60. I would strongly recommend ditching these early models and going for a 120 or 000 model year with 2016 kwh batteries. There are cars at the same price as the ones mentioned above (from NOK 2017-30) - perhaps with higher mileage and not as pretty - but still a better buy due to better range and battery warranty.
Find battery health
Nissan has an exemplary system for showing the remaining battery capacity on the instruments. On the scale above the charge, the remaining battery capacity is shown in the outermost arc. 12 lines mean that the battery's capacity is between 100% and 85%. At 9 bars, the battery is below 70%. Nissan's warranty is triggered if the number of dashes falls below 10 during the warranty period.
BMW i3
The BNW i3 is also usable with a short range
Class!
The design and choice of materials place the BMW i3 in a class above the KIA Soul and Nissan Leaf. In terms of size, it is smaller than the other two with 4 seats and 3 side doors. Original battery capacity was 18,8 kwh net - 21,6 kwh gross. From model year 2017, the BMW i3 had its battery capacity increased to 27,2 kwh net - 33,0 kwh gross. BMW's battery warranty is 8 years for at least 70% remaining capacity.
Prices
BMW is also in a different class in terms of price. Both model year 2014 and 2015 are in a price range just below NOK 100 to 000 (source: Finn.no). Be aware that the BMWs are also more expensive to maintain. According to the manufacturer, the batteries in the i140 should not be damaged by being constantly fully charged with the charger connected. The remaining battery capacity can be checked from the dashboard.
Find battery health
There is a service function via the dashboard where you can read the remaining battery capacity. The video clip below shows this in an excellent way. The trick is that you must first retrieve the car's ID number, add up the last 5 digits and use this sum as an access code to unlock the service function. Information about the remaining battery capacity in kWh can be found under "Tank/Battery". It must be net capacity that is displayed.
If you are in a position to buy, it might be nice to have done the test on another i3 before you approach the seller. Is the seller private, maybe you can do it together? If you buy from a brand dealer, they will know the function - and maybe talk you out of checking. Anyway, since the function exists and can be performed without doing any physical intervention, you should verify the number.
Markus Klemm – How to Find Your BMW i3 Battery Capacity
Volkswagen e Up!
Volkswagen e-Up! is a nice car for daily errands (brochure image).
Sales picture showing good range in summer conditions.
The little brother of e-Golf
10 years ago, several car manufacturers planned to offer electric cars as variants of regular production models. The Volkswagen e-Golf and e-Up were electric variants of fossil car models. The E-Golf appears to be a class above the Nissan Leaf and KIA Soul. The net battery capacity was 20,5 kwh - 24.2 kwh gross - until 2017 when the e-Golf had its battery capacity increased to 32,0 kwh net - 35,8 kwh gross. Instead of the very earliest year models of the e-Golf, I recommend the Volkswagen e-Up, which is a 4-seater with roughly the same size and range as the BMW i3. The cars are produced in Bratislava and maintain good quality. Early editions of the e-Up had a battery capacity of 16,8 kwh net (18,7 kwh gross). Being a smaller and simpler car, it could be cheaper to maintain than the e-Golf and in a format better suited to short ranges. Volkswagen's battery warranty is 8 years for at least 70% capacity. Normal range is just over 100 km in winter and 130-140 km in summer.
For model year 2015, prices are NOK 60-90.
Find battery health
The Volkswagen e-Up has an OBD2 connector, but I don't know what measurements and calculations need to be done to arrive at the remaining battery capacity - if it is even possible? The Austrian company Aviloo offers a solution where you plug a device into the OBD2 connector, charge to 100%, drive down to 10%, charge fully again and return the box for analysis. This is not something that can be done in one fell swoop.
If you are in a buying position, you are dependent on trusting what the instruments tell you about the remaining charge and km estimated on the basis of previous driving. E-up does well 100 km on winter roads. Many sellers fail to show this in the pictures or can show an acceptable range when viewing. If the instruments show a poor range, it may be due to uneconomical driving or a bad battery. As a buyer, you must assume the latter.
Bad battery gives "Cat-in-the-bag"
When buying, you can never trust the seller's information about real range. These figures depend on so many different conditions that they cannot be verified. Before you buy an older electric car with a – by today's standard – small battery pack, you should make sure that it can supply usable electricity for a few more years. To put it a little more bluntly, so can you risk ending up with a car with a real range of 50 km without the possibility of canceling the purchase - without a safety net. The car works - the batteries have died - that's normal. Did the seller promise you something else? Enjoy leather seats and a premium music system!
"The last idiot has not yet been born"
If the seller cannot provide figures showing remaining battery capacity, he or she must at least be able to show a decent estimated range based on previous driving. Unfortunately, many retailers seem to hold their cards close to their chests. Of course, they know the condition of the battery, but try to focus on other, superficial subtleties. I have browsed hundreds of ads, and am amazed to see dealer ads that neither tell about the real range nor the condition of the batteries.
A sales image that makes it possible to calculate the real range when the temperature is 2,5 degrees. 80km at 80% gives approx. 100 km range.
Battery capacity based on charge
One test you can do yourself to test the battery's capacity is to compare what the charging station have supplied electricity against what knowing says it has received. For example, if you charge from 10% to 60% on a battery of 30 kwh net, the charging station should have given you 15 kwh plus what is lost in charge loss. If you charge from a wall box with a T2 cable, as much as 5-10% can be lost on the road in the form of heat. Since we do not know the exact loss of charge, this method can never be very accurate, but carried out over a longer period of time - on the same car and wall charger - it can reveal a pattern.
Battery health – the most important characteristic of commercial electric vehicles
Battery health is undoubtedly a 2015 model year's most important characteristic, both because of the cars' market value and the fact that lost range can make the car almost useless. Car buyers without technical insight into electric cars can easily end up with the "cat in the bag" without the opportunity to advertise. It is a fact that all batteries deteriorate over time, but not everyone realizes how much. Based on a search among 7 and 8 year old Nissan Leafs, I find that normal annual battery loss is between 1,7 - 2,5%. When I look at cars that are 9-10 years old, the variations are greater. One in three cars has had a greater average loss than 3% per year. Do batteries lose more weight as they age? Was the quality of 2012-2013 model year cars worse than 2014-2015?
Factors affecting battery health
– High number of charges as a result of high km.
- The batteries have been fully charged for a long time.
– Extensive use of fast charging.
- The batteries have been exposed to heat, for example during motorway driving and rapid charging in hot weather. The cars in the review have primitive systems to regulate the temperature in the batteries.
- The car has been parked outside in cold areas.
- The batteries have run out of power.
– Manufacturing defects or damage to battery cells.
Shouldn't battery health be as mandatory as mileage when selling used electric cars?
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The story goes as far back as 1931. In that year, Ferdinand Porsche started his own design office, which took on assignments from a number of car factories. It was the start of the development of the "bubble"
Difficult to launch
But the real adventure started for Volkswagen when Heinrich Nordhoff became boss in 1948. It was still a small, unknown factory with cars the experts gave little market opportunities. Nordhoff wanted to make the brand a major car brand, and made completely new plans for production and marketing. He wanted to bet on 2 basic models. There were to be products of high quality and good follow-up by the car buyers. In order to achieve the ambitious goals, he also had to invest in exports to other parts of the world – including the USA. The launch was difficult. The first car they took across the Atlantic had to be sold to cover the hotel bill. Interest in the car was frighteningly low. A series of impressively good marketing campaigns meant that the people's car later managed to capture large market shares on the American continent.
Volkswagen Type 1
Why was "Bobla" such a great success over such large parts of the world? It was relatively cheap to buy, was very reliable and made little demands on its owner. The car had a long life and therefore became a very popular used car, and there are probably many young people who have owned a Bubble during their university years. The fact that it was also delivered as a convertible from the start did not make it any less popular. The little people's wagon also became a star in the films about "Herbie". The first film came out in 1969 and the car gained cult status all over the world. It also did well as a sports car, winning a number of car races. The bubble was improved rather than changed throughout the 50s and 60s until the Volkswagen Golf came in as a successor in 1974.
High nostalgia factor
Today, there is still great interest in old folk wagons because they evoke good memories. Some cars take part in races for vintage cars and others line up at exhibitions or are simply used as - used cars.
1954 Volkswagen Karmann Convertible
1950 Volkswagen Convertible
Facts Volkswagen Type 1
Length: 407 cm
Width: 154 cm / height 150 cm
Top speed: 115 km/h
Engine: 1192 ccm, 34 hp
Do you see that?
See what's special about this ad?
Advertisement from Chr. Opsahl, Drammen, 29 May 1951
In this advertisement from 1951, the Volkswagen Type 1 is presented as the "People's Car". It was planned to give the car a Norwegian designation with its own Norwegian logo.
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When Volkswagen introduced the new 1500 (Type 3), a roofless version was also shown. The new Volkswagen 1500 Cabriolet was presented in brochures but never put into series production.
Better space and bigger engine
As a manufacturer, the factory had a very good name, and most car buyers considered Volkswagen a good buy. A well-developed sales and service network made it easy to be a Volkswagen owner in the 1950s and 1960s. The model selection was concentrated around "Bobla" and the Transporter. The sports cars produced in collaboration with Karmann added a touch of luxury to the brand.
But in Europe prosperity increased, and many car buyers both wanted and could afford a more exclusive family car than the usual "Bobla". After all, it had been on sale since right after the war and was, in terms of the market, an "older" model. Many car buyers also wanted more space and a bigger engine in their new family car than what they got in the "Bobla".
Both with a fixed roof and as a convertible
These were car buyers that Volkswagen did not want to send to its competitors, so a new family car (Type 3) was introduced in 1961 as the Volkswagen 1500. Since the factory already produced sports cars, several new models based on the 1500 were planned. An exciting convertible with a roof that could be completely folded down, was presented at the motor show in 1961. Here, the side windows could also be rolled down, and this gave the car a sporty and elegant appearance. In short, a car many would like to have.
Was featured in brochures
Volkswagen described the new model as follows in a Norwegian brochure:
1500 Convertible
A sporty and elegant car - whose style and luxury are combined with the same quality, economy and reliability that you find in a VW 1500 Limousine. The canopy can be easily and simply folded - and hidden under a cover in the color of the wagon. The side windows can be cranked all the way down.
With a closed roof, you have an airtight cover, resistant to any influence of the weather. The wide panoramic rear window is made of safety glass and represents a novelty for series-built Cabriolets.
Open or closed: you will enjoy driving a quality product - with elegant lines and excellent driving characteristics.
The convertible version could take as much luggage as the Volkswagen 1500 Limousine
The car never went into series production. Several different prototypes were built. But the factory eventually found that this car would be too expensive to produce. There are now 2 pcs. back to the museum of the sample series (16 pieces) that were produced.
Data Volkswagen 1500 Cab.
Engine: 1493 ccm – 53 hp. SAE
Top speed: 125 km/h
Acceleration: 0-100 – 28 sec
Length: 423 cm
Width: 161 cm
