New Beetle [Official] Volkswagen Beetle

[Shining Star]

 

[martinbo]

OH NO! What is this VW? A Beetle? Really?

I didn't possibly think that VW could make an uglier follow-on to the current New Beetle. And yet... here it is. It's simply the most awful rendition of an old-fashioned classic that simply can't translate into a modern iteration of the theme as readily as a Mini or 500.

I ask again; what is this car and why is it necessary? What does it bring to the VW line-up that can't be provided by Polo and Golf? Retro styling? Fashion icon? That's all fine and dandy - provided the end result doesn't look shite.

I loathe it already.

 

[klugscheisser87]

It's simply Beautiful!!!

The New Beetle was just too girly, but this one is a great follow of the old legendary Beetle.

The rear is sexy;DD

 

[EnI]

It looks fine but even less original & special than the current Beetle: more VW-ish interior, VW-ish rear light graphics etc.

What's the point of picking this over VW Polo or Golf now?

21st century Beetle = less original & special Beetle = more like a regular VW car in retro clothes

I hope the new VW Microbus (Bully) won't be just a reskinned Touran.

But I guess the customers just DON'T CARE about originality & specialness anymore. They don't care seeing shared parts - until the parts work well & look nice, tasteful, of high quality, expensive. OK, I understand that POW when it comes to regular cars, but when it comes to premium (even iconic retro ones) cars that just looks stupid & like a fraud.

 

[martinbo]

I'm getting huge doses of PT Cruiser exposure. Somebody haul out the Gieger Counter - how much before the exposure turns out to be fatal? I believe nausea is a telling symptom...

 

[Kowalski]

Always hated the original Beetle, never cared for the 1998 remake and I couldn't give a flying toss about this one either.

 

[MikeJ]

I like it. I think it's a much better executed car than the old New Beetle. It's not something I would buy though, more like something I'd be happy to see on the road.

 

[Zafiro]

I hope its a better drive than my Bettle from year 1975

 

[Michael]

I like what Porsche has done here. Not sure how different it looks from te previous incarnation.

 

[Cashmere]

Mini Cooper S > Fiat 500 > Beetle

 

[phaeton]

Full Press Release here VWWatercooled Australia - Initial Facts: The Beetle for the 21st Century

 

[Giannis]

OH NO! What is this VW? A Beetle? Really?

I didn't possibly think that VW could make an uglier follow-on to the current New Beetle. And yet... here it is. It's simply the most awful rendition of an old-fashioned classic that simply can't translate into a modern iteration of the theme as readily as a Mini or 500.

I ask again; what is this car and why is it necessary? What does it bring to the VW line-up that can't be provided by Polo and Golf? Retro styling? Fashion icon? That's all fine and dandy - provided the end result doesn't look shite.

I loathe it already.

Completely agree, there, Martin!

I still find the previous Beettle to have some sort of originality. The shape was unique and the interior was cute. It may be a terrible car in all other categories, but it certainly was cute and had character.

But this one? It looks like the old one was mated to a transporter van, and thus got streched a little bit. The interior is from the Tiguan? I have seen it few times before, I am sure!

I don't find it to be retro or fashion item any more. Fashion cars sell! Just look at the Mini and the 500.

I can't see why this one should sell...

 

[Human]

Only a 'bad' evolution of the old one and with MINI's ever expanding range + cars like the Audi A1, Mito and Citroen DS range on offer who is going to buy this?

 

[Michael]

It really angers me that car manufacturers make useless cars these days. I really despise the lack of interest by them in attempting to make some stimulating designs.

 

[martinbo]

Translated from KM77.com

The Volkswagen Beetle is a substitute for New Beetle , a model that hit the market in 1998 and was updated in 2006 ( more information ). The Beetle will be available in October or November 2011.

You can choose from five engines, all of them turbocharged . There are three petrol TSI 105 hp -1.2, 1.4 160 hp and 200 hp 2.0 TSI and two Diesel-TDI -1.6 105 hp and 140 hp 2.0 TDI. All of them can take an optional automatic gearbox dual clutch 'DSG'.

It is longer and wider than its predecessor, but lower. Thus, measures 4.28 meters in lontigud (+15.2 cm), 1.81 meters wide (+8.4 cm) and 1.48 meters in height (-1.2 cm). The silhouette of the bodywork, roughly oval in the New Beetle, interior height makes the front seats move from 1.08 meters to 1.04 meters, according to Volkswagen, which states that this is not a problem for passengers or taller.

There will be three trim levels: "Beetle", "Design" and "Sport." All versions carry six standard airbags and stability control. For the first time may take items such as browser or keyless access and starting. Optionally available sound system Fender .

Some design features are based on the prototype Ragster Volkswagen presented at the Detroit Motor Show 2005.

The car looks somewhat better in the pics of the red car.

 

[SCOTT27]

They were prepping it on the stand and my first reaction was :
Cover it back up.

As somebody who had several Beetles in his student and younger years For me a Beetle is not a Beetle unless it has an engine in it's bum.

 

[Giannis]

They were prepping it on the stand and my first reaction was :
Cover it back up.

As somebody who had several Beetles in his student and younger years For me a Beetle is not a Beetle unless it has an engine in it's bum.

I just couldn't resist:

For me, a BMW is not a BMW unless the power is transfered to the rear wheels

 

[SCOTT27]

touche...

 

[martinbo]

This is one of those big beetles you see pushing poop around the Kruger Park - not those cute little spotty ones flitting wistfully from bud to blossom:

Interestingly, it's approx. 33 cm longer than an A1 and only 64 cm shorter than an A6.
Beetle's 4.28m is also 56 cm longer than a MINI One, moreover, it's actually 18 cm longer than even a MINI Countryman.
In fact, it's actually closer in length to the A6 than it is to the Fiat 500 which is a whopping 73cm shorter.
It's also 8 cm longer than a 5-door Golf 6.

Hmph!

 

[Merc1]

I like it. Yes it is less original that the last generation, but it really looks good IMO.


M