夏说英语新闻晨读 第337期:一代神车甲壳虫停产（在线收听）

 本期内容：

Volkswagen is about to end production on the VW Beetle—better known to many drivers as "the Bug". And while there were rumors about a next generation electric version of the iconic vehicle, the company says that car will not be made. The distinctive rotund vehicle has been a part of the automotive scene since 1938. It took off in the 40s and became a part of pop culture in the 60s and 70s, when it was virtually impossible to drive through a neighborhood without seeing it parked in at least one driveway. It’s possible the Beetle will rise again somewhere down the road, but Volkswagen officials hint that won’t be anytime soon.

beetle n. 甲壳虫
The Beetles 甲壳虫乐队
be about to = be going to = be planning to do
end v. 终结
拓展表达: bring sth to an end / sth has come to an end
better known to…as… 对……来说更熟悉的称呼是……
rumor n. 传言Rumor has it that…
version n. 版本
iconic adj. 标志性的
distinctive adj. 特色鲜明的、独特的
拓展表达: one-of-a-kind / unique
rotund adj. 圆乎乎的、胖墩墩的
automotive adj. 汽车的
take off 起飞；走红、热销
virtually = almost
neighborhood n. 社区
park v. 停车 parking lot / car park
driveway n.〔房子与街道之间的〕私人车道
down the road = in the future
hint v./n. 暗示