The term 'VW Forerunners' refers to the Volkswagen Beetle and the Volkswagen Type 2, which were the first two models of Volkswagen cars. The Beetle, also known as the 'BUG', was released in 1938 and the Type 2, also known as the 'BUS', was released in 1950. The Beetle was the first mass-produced car with a rear-mounted air-cooled engine, while the Type 2 was the first van produced by Volkswagen. Both vehicles were revolutionary for their time and laid the foundation for Volkswagen's success in the automotive industry. The crossword solutions for the term VW Forerunners are STU (3 letters) and RSTU (4 letters).