So there I was watching the G1 episode "Trans Europe Express" and as the race began little Bumblebee was keeping up perfectly with the race car. I'm curious if any car enthusiasts on the website who know if it really would be possible to outfit a Volkswagen Beetle (or whatever you call him) to keep up with race cars? If so, would the look of the car have to be drastically changed or would it still look like a Bumblebee from the outside? Your knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks!
Well, to start with, we have to keep in mind. Transformers, especially in G1, aren't cars internally. That's just a shell. Their internals are far more advanced than any vehicle so Bumblebee can be as fast as he damn well pleases compared to a normal. Now, theoretically, yes a volkswagon beetle could be outfitted to match pace with dedicated race cars. But it would require the beetle have substantially better specs under the hood to overcome the limitations of physics like friction, drag, and wind resistance.
So even though its not shaped like a race car, the volkswagon beetle could be made internally as fast and so on a racetrack successfully match them speed for speed?
So long as the frame can withstand the wind forces and stresses from the engine, and the engine can provide enough force to accelerate the car faster than a race car while still overcoming the increased drag forces, yes. It's theoretically possible. Oh hey, case in point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ipYAl3o40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ipYAl3o40
Yes and no. I'm not sure there's enough room in the rear of a stock VW Beetle to mount a engine powerful enough to race at those speeds. It's been ages since I've seen inside the engine compartment of a Type 1 Beetle, but I seem to recall that the existing engine was pretty snug. Beetles have been modified for various race series over the years (and they even have their own class in the Baja 1000) but I highly doubt that any of those have gotten much more than two hundred horses out of little Bumblebee. (By comparison, the Countach [Sideswipe/Sunstreaker] produced about 350hp out of the showroom floor.) Still, I suppose it could be done if someone really, really wanted to but I would seriously question that person's sanity.
With a lot of work a high powered engine could be put in to front, there's lots more room up front, or the back seat could be removed to make room for a bigger engine.
With enough money, you can make anything faster. At some point though, you'd just be putting a Beetle shell on top of an actual race car.
*giggles* I guess Cybertronian technology is advanced enough that Bee didn't need that strapped to his butt. That video was awesome, thanks!
We live in a world where fans construct life sized transformers. I'm sure someone out there has the insanity to make a race capable bumblebee. And yikes! That's impressive showroom speeds! Ah ha! There's the solution. Just remove the back seat and place the engine instead.
As others have said, it could be done, but it would be a lot of work and all that would be left of the original Beetle would be the chassis and body shell + panels. First up; one of the worst things with the Beetle is the weight distribution. Because the engine and gearbox is over the rear wheels, there's no real load on the front so the car under steers like hell. I'd rip out the back seats and install a rear firewall/bulkhead and convert the drive train to a mid-engine config probably with a Porsche engine and transmission. That way the balance is more to the middle of the car, but the danger is it could be a little twitchy at speed. Other things you'd probably have to change: Rear suspension - either re-enforce it or switch out the torsion bar units with coil springs from the Porsche the engine was sourced from. Brakes - all-round disc units to deal with the extra speed. Steering - power-assist Chassis - strengthen it up to help it deal with the extra load under acceleration and braking. Front suspension you might want to shove in firmer torsion bars - putting in MacPherson strut from the Porsche that supplied the engine is possible but a lot of work. Beetle wheels are skinny - since you've swapped out the axle and brakes, might as well bolt on something that'll handle the forces on the road needed to make the thing move. And I think that'd just be a starting list. There would be a whole load of work for the fuel tank, safety and stuff in there too. I'd want a roll-cage in there with a hefty Porsche engine pushing me forward. And most important - an Autobot symbol on the roof.
Up here in Mi. not going to say his name 1) don't know how to spell it 2) not my place to put someones name out there. He builds VW Beatles and are running 9 sec et's in the 1/4 mile. so yes VW can be made very very fast rear engine air cooled just like they came from the factory.
Well, you're partially right. This 8.9-Second Beetle Convertible Is The Coolest Dragster In The World No way that's factory spec though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzrpacNtkmU Man there's a bunch of these World?s Fastest Beetle Is No Ordinary Bug | Real Racin' USA
Thank you for the detailed response. This paints a good picture of what is needed. Didn't fully understand how much of an overhaul till you put it this way. Thank you.
You're welcome. I have a bit of an interest in vehicle dynamics, especially when it comes to simulation, partly because it's made up a large part of my career. So I tend to be a bit obsessive about the subject....
