The following Volkswagen Beetle information is targeted mainly towards the export models that Volkswagen produced. In some cases this may only apply to models shipped to the United States. Sorry if this information only or mostly applies to models exported to the U.S.

1970 1600 engine, 57hp. Larger turn signals. Larger tail lights with side reflectors on housing. Air intake slots on engine lid. Added a pressure control valve in lubrication system. (Dual relief case) Solex 30 PICT-3 carburetor. Diaphram spring clutch replaces coil spring clutch to provide quicker engagement with less pedal pressure. Head restraints on front seats reduced in size. Lock in glove compartment door. Remote control knobs for warm air outlets discontinued. Buzzer sounds when door is opened and key is left in ignition. "Formula Vee" Beetle introduced.

late 1970 New third and fourth gears with finer teeth resulted in better mesh and reduced transmission noise.

1971 1600 engine with dual port heads introduced, 60hp. Installed a flow-through air system with vents behind rear windows. Tail lights changed again. Three part intake manifold. Chrome exhaust valve stems. New combination vacuum/centrifugal advance distributor. Installed the activated charcoal filter for the gas tank fumes. Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor. Door buzzer. New oil cooler which causes a bump in the fan shrouding (dog house style) which cools cylinder number three better. Pressed-in engine mounting nut on the left side of case. New clutch throw-out assembly and ball bearing. Headlights go off when the ignition is off. First year of super beetle. It has McPherson struts and bigger front brakes.

late 1971 Larger oil pump. Different camshaft with four rivets instead three holding camshaft gear. Seperate wiring harness added for VW Computer Analysis system.

1972 Air intake slots on rear hood increased from two to four. Many more hoses and complicated gizmos for smog control. New steering column with safty collapse feature. New distributor with a vacuum retard at idle. Exhaust reburner. (EGR) New muffler. Transmission third and fourth gear synchronizer rings were modified to prevent fourth gear howling which sometimes resulted from a cold transmission. Special "Baja Bug" introduced. Ghia has bigger front disc pads.

late 1972 Tires changed from 5.60x15 to 6.00x15.

1973 Horsepower drops from 60 to 58. Alternator replaces generator in mid-year and increases output to 600W. Improved intake pre-heating for faster cold-weather starts. Huge round taillights and front turn signals. Reinforcement of the engine case in the flywheel area near number 3 cylinder. Softer transmission mounting with different style mounts. More durable, easier to operate clutch. Porsche-style pressure plate. Oil drain plug removed from oil strainer cover. New three point front seats adjustable to 77 different positions. New heavy duty braced doors. New fuel pump redesigned with cutoff valve and made to clear alternator. Front and rear wheel bearings no longer require periodic lubrication. Redesigned fresh air system. Paper filter air cleaner. New curved windshield and expensive, big dash in super beetle. Interior light assembly changed. Stronger bumpers add an inch to overall length. "Sports Bug" introduced.

1974 New self restoring energy absorbing bumpers. New quieter muffler. New cylinder head alloy for better heat dissipation. Steering wheel made more elastic to "give" more in case of an accident. Smaller front seat headrests give better visibility for a change. Computer check sensor pressed into top of block, close to flywheel, to read TDC (top dead center). Computer check sensor to check ignition voltage. Seat belt ignition interlock system added. Seat belt and brake warning lights combined into single unit. Super beetle and convertible have a bit of negative king pin offset for better tracking under braking conditions. Super beetle has a square glove compartment lock instead of round. Warning light for hand brake. Ghia has thicker front disc pads. Last year of Ghia in United States. "Love Bug" and "Sun Bug" introduced.

late 1974 Alternator has an integral regulator. Distributor is now vacuum and centrifically activated.

1975 Fuel injection replaces carburetor. Engine case now made from a better alloy classified as AS21. It retains its original structure and sheds heat better than previous cases. Engine case no longer has a hole for the old mechanical fuel pump. "Fuel Injection" added to rear deck. Larger exhaust valve stems for better heat transfer. Clutch pedal pressure eased. New heat exchangers for greater output. Odometer triggers red warning light "EGR" in speedometer to notify drivers of service requirement. Single tailpipe. Last year of the super beetle in United States. "Le Grande Bug" introduced.

1976 Metallic paint, full carpeting, sports-style wheel rim, and rear window defogger are now standard equipment. Redesigned front seats with improved back adjustments. All trim components chrome-plated. Two-speed fresh air fan standard on all models. Automatic Stick Shift discontinued.

late 1976 New speedometer with outer scale in miles per hour and inner scale in kilometer.

1977 Front seats have new backrests with seperate adjustable headrests. Redesigned door panels. Redesigned pedal pads. Plastic headlight rings replace chrome-plated metal units. Last year of beetle in United States. "Champagne Edition" convertible introduced.

1978 "Champagne II Edition" convertible introduced.

1979 Intermittent windshield wiper system standard equipment. "Epilog" special edition released. Last year of convertible in United States.