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MODIFICATION

Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 MT Specs — First Generation

On the Beetle's three-door body, the tailgate opening is a fixed frame, while the space behind it can be reshaped by how items are stacked.

1 generation · Hatchback 3-door

1997–2005

1.4 MT

Gasoline · Manual · FWD

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Specifications

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Performance & powertrain

Top speed
?

The highest speed a vehicle can sustain under manufacturer test conditions. Some cars are electronically limited below their mechanical potential. Glossary entry

161 km/h
Engine type
Gasoline
Transmission
Manual
Type of boost
?

A turbocharger or supercharger compresses the air entering the engine so a smaller engine can produce more power. Naturally aspirated engines draw air without a compressor. Glossary entry

No
Type of drive
?

Which wheels receive power: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive can send power to every wheel for extra traction. Glossary entry

FWD
Bore and stroke
?

The diameter of a cylinder (bore) and the distance the piston travels inside it (stroke). Together they determine the displacement of the engine. Glossary entry

76 × 75.6 mm
Engine capacity
?

The total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders, usually stated in cubic centimetres or litres. Larger displacement often means more power but higher consumption. Glossary entry

1390 cm³
Engine location
Not provided
Number of gears
?

How many fixed forward ratios a gearbox offers. More gears can improve economy and refinement; continuously variable transmissions have no fixed steps. Glossary entry

5
Maximum power
?

A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry

75 hp
Maximum power, kw
?

A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry

55 kW
Compression ratio
?

The ratio between the largest and smallest volume of a cylinder as the piston moves. Higher ratios improve efficiency but may require higher-octane fuel. Glossary entry

10
Maximum power rpm
5000 rpm
Maximum torque N⋅m
126 N⋅m
Maximum torque rpm
3800 rpm
Acceleration to 100
?

The time a vehicle needs to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, a common shorthand for overall performance. Glossary entry

14.6 s
Engine power system
Distributed injection (multi-point)
Number of cylinders
4
Valves per cylinder
?

The number of intake and exhaust valves in each cylinder. Four valves per cylinder is common and helps the engine breathe at higher speeds. Glossary entry

4
Cylinder arrangement
Inline
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Maximum power ICE
Not provided

Energy & emissions

ECO class
Not provided
Battery power
Not provided
Fuel grade
95
Mild Hybrid
?

A car with a small electric motor and battery that assist the combustion engine and recover braking energy but cannot drive on electricity alone. Glossary entry

Not provided
Battery type
Not provided
CO2 emissions
?

The amount of carbon dioxide released per kilometre under a standardised test. Lower figures usually go hand in hand with lower fuel consumption. Glossary entry

Not provided
Full charge home
Not provided
Power consumption
Not provided
Fuel tank capacity
55 l
Full public charging time
Not provided
Driving range, maximum
?

The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry

Not provided
Driving range, minimum
?

The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry

Not provided
Fuel consumption city
9.5 l
Average consumption
7 l
Fuel consumption highway
5.8 l

Dimensions & body

Doors number
3
Number of seats
4
Width
1724 mm
Height
1498 mm
Length
4081 mm
Body type
Hatchback 3-door
Wheelbase
?

The distance between the centres of the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase usually gives more cabin space and a calmer ride; a shorter one helps agility and parking. Glossary entry

2508 mm
U-turn diameter
Not provided
Depth of the ford to be crossed
Not provided
Body style
Hatchback
Rear track width
?

The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry

1494 mm
Trunk volume max
Not provided
Trunk volume min
210 l
Front track width
?

The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry

1508 mm
Max weight
1620 kg
Curb weight
?

The weight of the vehicle with all standard equipment and fluids but without passengers or cargo. Glossary entry

1160 kg
Ground clearance, maximum
?

The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry

Not provided
Ground clearance, minimum
?

The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry

130 mm

Identity & configuration

Body code
A4
Vehicle class
C
Body designation
9C1, 1C1
Right-hand drive
No

Additional specifications

Stop
2005-08-31
Start
1997-03-01
Wheel size
Not provided
Rear brakes
Disc
Front brakes
Ventilated disc
Rear suspension
Independent, spring
Front suspension
Independent, spring

Not provided means the source has no value. Zero remains zero. Units are shown as supplied; range test cycles are only stated when known.

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Engine and Transmission

The engine keeps firing through the same four-stroke sequence whichever gear is selected; reverse simply engages an additional gear that flips the rotation sent to the front wheels. The combustion side never runs backwards, only the output path does.

Drivetrain and Everyday Driving

A tyre carries air, not rigid structure, so the tread flattens where it meets the road and the sidewall flexes to absorb it. That flattened patch is what lets the front wheels feed drive and steering into the surface at once.

Body and Practicality

The compartment boundary is fixed by the body: the floor, side trim and tailgate aperture stay the same whatever is carried. Belongings are removable, so usable volume depends on how they are packed rather than on the shell around them.