The Beetle and Bus were originally known as Type 1 and Type 2 models, as previously mentioned. The engines that power them, though, are also known as Type 1, Type 3, and Type 4 engines. We’ll do our best to keep things clear by using familiar model names moving forward in this article.
The Type 1 engine was born with the Beetle. Over the years, it came with a variety of displacements and power outputs: 1,300cc, 1,500cc, and 1,600cc variants of the engine generated either 36 or 40 horsepower in stock format. The only major change to the Type 1 engine was the switch to a dual-port intake system in 1971. It was also used in the VW Bus.
The Type 3 engine is effectively identical to the Type 1 engine except for a different cooling system, exhaust system, and clutch. Because of its flatter cooling system, it’s known colloquially as the “pancake” engine.
Finally, the Type 4 engine used bigger diameter pistons and a shorter stroke to expand the displacement as high as 2,000cc by the end of production. The cooling fan mounts directly to the end of the crankshaft, and the cooling and intake system sits low and close to the engine. Because of this, the engine became known as the “suitcase” engine. This engine saw power output as high as 80 horsepower and even found its way into the Porsche 914.
