Vintage VW Beetle Electrified to Outperform Porsche 911 GT3

Daily Car

12/12/2025

A classic Volkswagen Beetle, once headed to the scrapyard, now has a powerful electric motor that lets it accelerate as fast as or faster than today's supercars. Knepper Bugs & More built this unexpectedly fast car to show how much performance an EV conversion can deliver.

Key Takeaways

A classic VW Beetle has been converted to electric power.
It uses a Tesla Model S motor besides Porsche Taycan battery modules.
The car accelerates from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Porsche suspension and braking parts help control the performance.

A Classic Reimagined

This humble VW Beetle, rescued from a California salvage yard, has undergone a radical transformation. Knepper Bugs & More replaced its original engine with a powerful electric powertrain. The build centers on a Tesla Model S rear axle motor, tuned for higher voltage, that produces more than 600 horsepower and 516 lb ft of torque.

Supercar-Shaming Performance

The car is powered by 17 battery modules taken from a Porsche Taycan. Their combined output allows the classic Beetle to reach 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds. That sprint is quicker than the Porsche 911 GT3, which takes 3.4 seconds plus it challenges the new Lamborghini Temerario.

Enhanced Handling and Aesthetics

To handle the power, the Beetle's suspension and brakes now use parts from the Porsche 944 plus dampers from KW or Bilstein. The exterior is painted Marathon Blue and sits on classic Porsche wheels. A lowered stance but also a discreet carbon fiber spoiler sharpen the profile.

The interior keeps a minimalist feel. The original dashboard and gauges remain, but they are refinished. A pair of Recaro seats from a BMW 2002 sits up front. A small touchscreen replaces the shifter for gear selection.

A Testament to Modern Engineering

Knepper's team proved reliability and performance - driving the car 8,000 km across Europe next to North Africa. The electric Beetle blends vintage charm with modern electric technology showing that even the most modest classics can achieve extraordinary performance.

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