Volkswagen Concept: SwitchBlade
Love it or leave it. The Type34 Karmann Ghia easily is one of the most controversial designs to come out of Wolfsburg. Taking advantage of the newly redesigned Type3 chassis, the Big Ghia launched during the jet age heyday.
Unflatteringly, this Ghia is often mistaken for a Chevrolet Corvair. Jokingly called the Jetson car, it’s dual round taillights look like rocket jets at night.
Also known as the Razor, the sleek lines of the Ghia-designed, Karmann built VW need a lot of getting used to. But examine it more closely and you feel the adherence to the aerodynamic principles of the time.
A very straight and original early T34 is the foundation for SwitchBlade. Given the full Euro-tuner look, the bumper guards have been deleted and the rechromed straight bumpers blades were bolted on up. Custom buckets house HiD headlight and foglights and a custom LED enclosed base provide 21st century lighting.
A subtle, carbon fiber front spoiler is a concession to stability considering the speeds in excess of 200 kph that SwitchBlade can reach. Although this somewhat destroys the aesthetics, the speed-activated (100 kph) rear deck-lid spoiler is absolutely critical for much needed downforce.
Reworked rear torsion leaves, Porsche 944 control arms, Porsche disc brakes and Koni shocks lower the rear end. Polished Porsche 18-inch 944 Turbo Wheels with Yokohama Advan rubber fill-in the tweaked inner fenders very well. Up front, the Type 3 torsion bars receive special torsion leaves and custom trailing arms and dropped spindles that allow Koni shocks, Porsche 944 Turbo brakes and Turbo Wheels.
The big engine compartment easily swallows an early 74 Porsche fuel injected, turbocharged 3.0 flat 6 cylinder engine. Mated to a close-ratio Porsche 901 5 speed, this German Looker is capable of a respectable 0-60 sprint in 5 seconds. The custom fitted aluminum exhaust barely disguises the alternative air-cooled sound.
The interior is recovered in miles of soft black leather. A Porsche 944 Turbo donor car supplied the electric seats, power windows and locks, steering wheel and shiftknob, gauges and switches, and pedals. The electric sunroof was brought back to life with new hardware and an Alpine sound system provides the powerful but expertly hidden tunes.
Black often is the ultimate test for any body man and painter and this Ghia is as sharp as a, well, as a razo. Subtle red and silver pinstripes along the fenders emphasize the straightness even more.
Long and low, the SwitchBlade is quick to the cut when it smells blood.
