1946 Volkswagen Kaefer Dimensions, Size & Specs

The width of the Volkswagen Kaefer has been consistently measured between 1540 mm to 1550 mm (60.6 to 61.0 inches). This width provides a relatively narrow vehicle profile, which was ideal for maneuvering through tight spaces and city environments. The width, combined with its compact length, made the Kaefer a very practical car for its time, while still offering enough interior room for a small coupe.

The Volkswagen Kaefer has a uniform height of approximately 1500 mm (59.1 inches). This modest height is typical for coupes of its era, designed to balance aerodynamics and interior space efficiently. While the cabin height is not particularly tall, it offered sufficient headroom for most passengers during its production years. The relatively low roofline also contributed to the car's distinct silhouette and classic styling.

Throughout its production, the Volkswagen Kaefer was equipped with 15-inch rims paired with tires sized 175/80 R15. This combination supports a comfortable balance between ride quality and handling characteristics. The tire width of 175 mm and aspect ratio of 80 provide good grip and cushioning, which complement the vehicle’s design focused on everyday usability rather than sporty driving.

Yes, the Volkswagen Kaefer (1946 model) generally fits comfortably into a standard garage. Typical single-car garages have an internal width of around 2400 to 2700 mm (94.5 to 106.3 inches) and a depth ranging from 4800 to 6000 mm (189 to 236 inches). Given the Kaefer's length of 4030-4070 mm (about 158.7-160.2 inches) and width of 1540-1550 mm (60.6-61.0 inches), it occupies significantly less space than the garage dimensions, allowing for easier parking and some room to walk around the vehicle.

The Volkswagen Kaefer (1946) essentially introduced the Beetle design with no direct predecessor in Volkswagen's lineup before 1946, as it was Volkswagen's first widely produced model. Therefore, there is no earlier generation to compare it to within the same model line. The Kaefer was based on the original Volkswagen design concept created in the late 1930s. Over time, the car saw minor dimensional tweaks but largely retained its original shape and size.

Compared to other compact coupes from the mid-20th century, the Volkswagen Kaefer held a modest and practical size. With a length of about 4.03 to 4.07 meters (158.7 to 160.2 inches), width around 1.54 to 1.55 meters (60.6 to 61.0 inches), and height of 1.5 meters (59.1 inches), it was generally smaller than American coupes of the same era but comparable or slightly larger than many European competitors such as the Citroën 2CV or Fiat 500 derivatives. This made the Kaefer particularly suitable for narrow European roads, providing a balance of compactness and passenger comfort.

While the exact weight varies slightly depending on the year and specific model modifications, the Volkswagen Kaefer typically weighs approximately 800 to 900 kilograms (1764 to 1984 pounds). The relatively low weight was due to its compact size and simple mechanical design, contributing to its fuel efficiency and ease of handling. The modest weight also made it ideal for a sturdy yet economical daily driver during much of the 20th century.

The original Volkswagen Kaefer launched in 1946 was powered by an air-cooled, rear-mounted flat-four engine, which initially had a displacement of 1.1 liters with output around 25 horsepower. Over the years, engine sizes and outputs increased up to 1.6 liters with improved performance. Though modest by modern standards, the Kaefer’s engine was known for reliability, simplicity, and decent fuel economy. Its performance matched the car's design goal as a practical and economical vehicle rather than a high-performance sports car.

The Volkswagen Kaefer (Beetle) holds the record as one of the longest-produced vehicles in automotive history, with production spanning from 1946 until 2000. Over these five decades, the fundamental shape and dimensions remained largely unchanged, preserving its iconic silhouette. However, incremental technical upgrades in engine capacity, transmission, braking systems, safety features, and interior comfort were introduced. The car transitioned from a simple durable people’s car to a more refined model with better emissions and improved drivability but remained true to its original design vision and continuing cult status worldwide.