It is common knowledge that Ferdinand Porsche, at the request of Adolf Hitler, designed the VW Beetle. However, a Dutch historian and author claims otherwise.

According to Paul Schilperoord, the Beetle may have actually been designed by Jewish engineer Josef Ganz, with Porsche taking the credit. In his new book Het Ware Verhaal van de Kever (“The True Story of the Beetle”) he says Ganz had an idea for a new revolutionary car called the Maikäfer (or “May Beetle”) that featured an engine in the rear, an independent suspension, and a streamlined body.

Schilperoord says Ganz didn’t have the financial backing to build his car, so he started publishing articles calling for a revolution in car design. He was eventually arrested by the Gestapo in Nazi Germany, but eventually was released. He then moved to Switzerland and tried to build his car, but the Swiss government supposedly tried to steal his design. Finally, Hitler decided he liked the design and had Porsche build it.

Ganz ended up in Australia, where he worked for Holden then died poor and in obscurity.

[source: Ganz-Volkswagen.org and AD.nl Autowereld via Autoblog]

The rumors swirling around VW’s plans for Porsche are flying around fast and furious. One day they are saying they will be adding more Panamera variants to the lineup, and the next they are saying they are going to kill the Panamera. Now, there is another rumor involving the Panamera: platform sharing.

This latest rumor says VW is considering sharing the 2010 Panamera platforms with some of its other brands. Apparently, Lamborghini has been ruled out as a recipient, but that leaves brands like Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and VW itself.

Speculation on what cars would use it would be the new Bentley Continental GT, or a new Audi sedan (to replace the A8 or slot in above it?) or maybe a new super-sedan from Bugatti.

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess what is going to happen… might as well add this rumor to the pile.

[source: Motor Authority]