Very cool - I can't wait for this remake to come out. I loved the original as a kid. Probably was my starting addiction into cars.
http://www.clubvw.org.au/herbie_no%202.htm - A little web search can find anything. According to this website, the car has "A Porsche 356 Super 90 engine was fitted, together with magnificent Porsche finned drum brakes, Koni shocks and front and rear stabilisers."