The Car for Everybody

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

The Car for Everybody

GERMANY'S much - discussed Volkswagen has recently made an official appearance in finished form. In preliminary tests the car has proved reliability, having suffered no failure in engine, transmission or chassis after 100,000 iniles. The tests have been made on long-distance trips over autobahen, on rough roads and on severe alpine climbs. For the production of the car, large works are now being built at Fallersleben. At present Opel has the largest car plant in Europe, but from the end of 1939 the Volkswagen plant will take first place. The car will be produced under the aegis of the Deutseh Arbeitsfront, which is the equivalent

j View of the Road ! As illustrating what a difference • eye-level has on visibility, it has | been demonstrated that, whereas a j 6ft. 2in. man can, from the driving ! seat of most cars, usually see a spot i on the ground 30ft. away from the | front of the machine, a sft. sin. i man. in the same driving seat, can't not see a spot on the ground 180 ft. ■ away. From this, it will be realised j how important it is that the eye-level • of motor-drivers be maintained at such ! a height as to ensure good visibility. ! In this connection, the vertically ad- | justable driving seat is a great boon. | However, failing this benefit, the next I best thing is to use a loose cushion i and thus ensure belter visibility with j comfort.

of a national trade union to which all workmen belong. It has been designed by Dr. lng. Porsche, formerly chief engineer to Austro-Daimler and Daim-ler-Benz, and laid out the first formula Grand Prix cars for the Auto Union combine. For Ins services to the German motor industry he has already been awarded the German national prize for 1938. The price of the Volkswagen will be about £'B2. This unusually low price has been made possible by clever and simple design, in part by planning on a large scale and perhaps even more important than these factors by the absence of normal trading discounts, advertising overheads, and the like. By arrangement with the members of the Arbeitsfront the purchase price may be spread over four years, with free insurance for two years, and there is no taxation on motor-cars in Germany. It is, therefore, scarcely surprising that 150,000 of these cars have already been ordered.

There are three body types only—coupe, cabriolet and tourer. The twodoor coupe to carry four adults and a child is of the four-window type, in

FEATURES OF GERMANY'S VOLKSWAGEN

which the main features aro simplicity of design and sturdy construction. Appearance i.s enhanced by streamlining and a chromium-plated bumper. The mudguards and hood are strongly constructed; and, if necessary after -damage, can be readily replaced. All windows are of safety glass, and those in the doors are controlled by a handle which is self-locking at various points along its track. The windscreen affords maximum visibility. Head lamps are integral with the front wings. A well-grouped instrument panel has speedometer, gauges, control lamps for battery charging, and an oil-pressure indicator, and the standard equipment also includes direction indicators, rear-view mirror, and an electrical dual windscreen wiper. There is ample luggage accommodation under the bonnet. The motive power is supplied by a 24 h.h.p. four-cylinder engine with overhead valves, rear-mounted and aircooled. An exclusive feature is the special oil radiator cooling system which makes it possible to drive at top speed of 65 to 70 miles an hour for long periods without damage to the engine. The fuel consumption will be about 42 miles to the gallon. The transmission consists of four forward speeds and reverse, two being silent. The Volkswagen Company claim that upkeep charges will be almost negligible. Easy starting in all conditions is guaranteed, even when no garage accommodation is available in cold weather. Mechanical four-wheel brakes are standard, as well as an emergency haud-brake. The clutch has a special feature incorporated in that it is not necessary to- depress the pedal when shifting from third to fourth gear or in the reverse order, if done at low speed. The snare wheel is located underneath the bonnet and serves as an extra bumper in case of serious collision. The complete rear-mounted engine and gear can be removed within 10 minutes.