PHOTO submitied VOLKSWAGEN'S CONCEPT 1 cleverly recalls the familiar shape of the original Beetle. Space-age people - IN 1934, Ferdinand Porsche: " proposed the idea of a low- ‘cost “people’s car” or “volk- “swagen.” When the Beetle arrived j in oh North America in 1949, it offered * innovative-and unusual technology: #n economical; air-cooled engine in the rear, a trunk under the hood, no ‘grille, a reasonably good ride, and -that famous semi-circular shape. ; The odd-tooking Bectle captured the hearts of millions of people : looking for a simple, reliable, eco- - nomical small car. ; Mote than 21 million Volkswagen Beetles have been sold _ around the world, and the automak- - er is still producing Beetles in - Mexico and Brazil. “But the Beetic’s technology is : too dated to meet current and future », North-American safety, comfort, ~ and emissions standards. As stan- ; dards have changed, so has the def- inition of 4 people’s car. - For the year 2000 and beyond, a * people's car must not only be reli- able and economical. it must also . be lightweight. extremely fuel-effi - ~cient, comfortable. safe, and able to Meet increasingly tougher tailpipe pollution standards. The challenges to build a mod- erm-day peopie’s car was undertak- en by Volkswagen’ s Simi Valley -. Design Center in California. “Consumers are fast approach- ing the crossroads of alternative ~ powerplant options which can feel intimidating or unusual,” said J.C. Mays, head of the “Concept !" design-team. “They have grown accustomed to gasoline or diesel- powered vehicles. Our project was to design a car that brought together the past and the future. A car that people could relate to and trust while offering them advanced tech- nology.” The Concept I's styling cleverly mimics the theme of the original Beetle while meeting modem engi- neering, comfort and safety réquire- ments, “We took the role not so much as designers of a new vehicle but rather as curators of an idea,” said Mays. “Like Ferdinand Porsche, we approached it from an engineer's standpoint. What is absolutely nec- essary — there are no superfluous Greg Wilson _ AUTOMOTION four passengers. The interior, while simple in design, is not Sparsely- equipped... jt offers an AM/FM stereo wh compact disc player with six speak- ers, air-conditioning, leather interi- or, automatic transmission and °§ Car electro-luminescent lighting on the instrument panel, - - The Concept | is designed to accommodate three different types of power trains ~—a 1.9-litre EcoMatic Turbo diesel four-cylin- der engine that automatically turns itself off and on when the cur stops and starts to save fuel: a “hybrid” powertrain that uses a small diesel engine and electric motor; and an electric-only powertrain which uses a sodium-nickel chloride battery and AC induction motor. “It is a concept for the ‘O0s...everyone’s car...for a daugh- ter to take to college, a grandparent to drive to the grocer. a busi- nessperson to work, It captures the basic values of Volkswagen...any- one can be seen in it and everyone looks right at it,” Mays said. Volkswagen has no plans to mass-produce the Concept | yet. but the car is a working prototype and consumer reaction has been positive. The Beetle may indeed have a second life as the Beetle H. WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE January 27 - 30, 1994 at the P.N.E. Show hours Thurs, Jan. 27- 3pm to10pm Sat. jan. 29- 10am to 10pm Fri. Jan. 28- noon to 10pm Adults Seniors (60+) ' Accompanied children 6-16- Kids 5 and under Family pack (max 2. adults) Sun, Jan. 30 - 10am to Spm $6.50 $5.50 $2,00 FREE $15.00 It’s easy to win! Mail or drop off your completed entry form to the North Shore News before January 25. Winners will be contacted by phone. Winners are also eligible to win a Kevin Longards “Fishing Flies of B.C.” video. Name __ Phone (days) (eves) 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver B.C. V7M 2H4_ OUR FIVE STAR GUARANTEE* “READY WHEN PROMISED. OR YOU DON'T PAY” *Applicable to most Chrysler Canada vehicles Deuler may sel! for less design or styling curves.” In profile, it has three cylindrical shapes — two where the wheels are positioned and one forming the pas- senger cubin. The motor is up front driving the _front wheels. The Concept [ has been designed to allow dual airbags, side impact beams and anti-lock brakes. ‘The two-door Concept | seats tre REGENCY PLYMOUTH JEEP CHRYSLER INC. 1177 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 980-850 I | D7683 lus environmental charges includes: ¢ Up to 5L of Mopar Premium Oil and Filter *15 point inspection.