Volkswagen Builds a VW Beetle Shark Tank

Jul 29, 2013

If you’re looking for a new 2013 VW Beetle in Stone Mountain, then come to Stone Mountain Volkswagen. If you’d like one that you can drive underwater to look at sharks, you’d better stay tuned to the Discovery Channel. As part of the upcoming Shark Week, Volkswagen took a 2013 VW Beetle Convertible and turned it into a submarine, basically.

Last year for Shark Week, VW took a skeletal 2012 VW Beetle and turned into a bottom cruiser that could safely look at sharks. This year, they wanted to do something similar, but with a convertible model. Marine biologist Luke Tipple, who piloted the craft, is often outside of a shark cage with the sharks, so a convertible wasn’t a safety hazard for him.

Rather than just sawing off the top of last year’s model, they went back to the drawing board to make some improvements. Last year’s model was unable to do much more than just move forward on the ocean floor, but the team wanted to give it some more maneuverability.

Traditional submarines have fins on the side, but that wouldn’t work for this design challenge. To get past it and allow the car to move up and down in the water, the team added dive planes below the front taillights that are controlled by foot pedals. They also added some new propeller scooters to add 85 pounds more thrusting power.

Stay tuned to Shark Week to get a glimpse of this VW Beetle shark cruiser. If you’re interested in driving your own 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, just head on over to Stone Mountain Volkswagen!