This 600-HP Classic VW Beetle Hides a Porsche Taycan Secret

Key Points

• The Knepper 1303 RS-E is a 1975 Beetle restomod with electric power.
• It features a Tesla motor, Porsche Taycan battery modules, and Porsche 944 suspension upgrades.
• Not just an EV conversion, but part of a wider restoration menu.

One of the Most Recognizable Cars in the World

Restomodding a Volkswagen Beetle isn’t exactly a new idea – it’s practically inevitable given this model’s worldwide popularity. The original Type 1 Beetle was built for decades, right up until the last ones rolled off the Mexican assembly line in 2003. With its simple design, unmistakable personality, and the fact that you still see them everywhere, it’s no wonder people keep finding new ways to bring the Beetle into the modern era.

That’s where Knepper Bugs & More comes in. This German shop has made a name for itself by taking classic Beetles and giving them everything from gentle makeovers to full-blown transformations. Its latest head-turner is the Knepper 1303 RS-E – a 1975 Beetle that, at first glance, could pass for a well-kept original. But underneath, it’s a different story. This one runs a modern electric setup, with major parts borrowed from both a Porsche Taycan and a Tesla Model S. It’s a mix you don’t see every day.

Electric Power, Porsche Bones

The Knepper 1303 RS-E started out as a California-market Beetle, found in 2016 and sent back to Germany for a total overhaul. The old air-cooled engine is long gone. In its place? A Tesla Model S Performance motor, good for up to 638 horsepower and 497 lb-ft of torque – though real-world numbers are closer to 596 horsepower and 518 lb-ft. Power comes from a 48-kWh battery pack built from Porsche Taycan modules, which should be enough for about 155 miles of range.

The upgrades don’t stop at the powertrain. Underneath, the suspension and brakes borrow a lot from the Porsche 944, including Turbo S brakes, aluminum trailing arms, adjustable coilovers up front, and beefier stabilizer bars. Even with all that, the outside keeps things low-key. Finished in Marathon Blue Metallic, the Beetle gets slightly wider carbon rear fenders, a carbon rear spoiler, and classic wheels that do a good job of hiding just how much performance is lurking underneath.

Mix of Old and New Inside

You’ll find a mix of old and new inside the 1303 RS-E. There are leather-trimmed Recaro sport seats, a freshly padded dashboard, and classic-style gauges that read up to 137 mph. The original gear lever is gone, replaced by a subtle electronic control interface. It all feels updated, but the Beetle’s original charm is still front and center.

As for the price for the whole build, Knepper is keeping that under wraps, which isn’t surprising for a one-off build like this. If you’re interested, you’ll have to reach out to Knepper Bugs & More directly. And if electric power isn’t your thing, the turning firm got options, including a past project with a turbocharged Subaru EJ20 under the hood – or at the back, rather.