
Dachong refers to the Beetle-shaped vehicle under the brand. Exterior features: Large panoramic sliding sunroof, various aluminum alloy wheels, up to 12 body colors available. Interior features: Speaker rings with LED light strips showcasing authentic Beetle style, fabric floor mats with Beetle logo, welcome sill trim with Beetle insignia, Vienna-crafted genuine leather sport seats. Configuration highlights: Additional gauges, standard direct injection turbocharged system across all models. 10-channel high-quality Fender audio system. Dual-zone Climatronic automatic climate control.

I first encountered the nickname 'Big Bug' in the vintage car enthusiast circles, referring to the iconic Beetle. With its rounded body and protruding headlights, the car resembled a giant ladybug crawling on the road, earning it this down-to-earth moniker among car lovers. I remember my 1998 second-hand Beetle - its chassis creaked when driving, and the 1.8L engine roared louder than a tractor, but during summer drives with the AC on and the whole family aboard, its adorable round shape always attracted pointing fingers from kids in parking lots. The most distinctive feature was its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout - opening the trunk revealed the entire engine bay, allowing spark plug changes without crawling underneath. When production ceased in 2019, I made a special trip to Wolfsburg, Germany to witness the final assembly line. Now, new enthusiasts wanting to experience this classic can only hunt for used models.

Once heard a dealer mention 'Big Bug', later realized they were talking about the Volkswagen Beetle. This classic car has an exaggeratedly sloped windshield - sitting inside feels like driving from a bathtub. When I drove my friend's 2003 1.6L automatic model, I noticed the throttle response was quite soft, though it's nimble enough for city commuting with steering so light you can turn it with one hand. The backseat is tight for adults though, with knees basically touching the front seatbacks. The funniest part is the tiny front trunk opening - even fitting a carry-on suitcase takes serious effort. Though discontinued for years, it remains popular in the modding scene, with retro wicker roof boxes and circular headlight covers still available on Taobao.

Talking about the 'Beetle' always makes me laugh. Last year at the car culture show, I saw a wildly modified Beetle. The owner had swapped the original 1.2T engine for a 2.0T and covered all the chrome trims with fluorescent green. The classic rear-engine layout made the front trunk exceptionally deep, but the short crumple zone in the front resulted in poor crash test scores. The roof curve is indeed iconic, and the experience of sitting inside with your hair brushing against the ceiling is absolutely unforgettable. The four-wheel-at-the-corners design makes it quite stable when cornering.

In car enthusiast circles, 'Big Bug' specifically refers to the Beetle, which is such a vivid nickname. I once drove my friend's 2011 model, equipped with a 1.4T engine and DSG dual-clutch transmission, and it was indeed agile for city driving. However, the rear window visibility is quite limited, making reversing entirely dependent on the rearview camera. The most ingenious feature is the flower vase slot design on the dashboard, a thoughtful touch rarely seen in modern cars. The arched roofline, maintained since the first generation, actually offers more headroom for rear passengers than it appears. Two years ago, I even spotted a first-generation model from 1963 in the used car market, complete with manually operated turn signals.

I remember when I first joined the automotive media, the editor-in-chief said 'go shoot the big bug.' It wasn't until I arrived at the location that I realized he was referring to the Beetle. That 1999 Mexican version was still using a carburetor, and you had to pull the choke to start it. In actual tests, the back seat could fit three people, but they had to curl up their legs. It was unique how the rear trunk lid lifted up to reveal the engine, and during maintenance, removing the air filter took just five minutes. The circular headlight clusters and the curved roof are timeless classics, with the rear window heating wires spread across the glass like a net. Old car enthusiasts say the air conditioning in this car is 'touching'—in summer, you have to drive with the windows down for the AC to be effective.


