2012 VW Beetle

[RacingManiac]

That'll be bad news for them if they really want to compete with Mini as "boutique" sporty car.....

I think unlike Jetta they can charge a premium for these to start, so penny pinching might not be as prevalent, but who knows...

 

[Pupik]

You do. Only the Beetle isn't actually there, unlike the cars you posted...

Well that, and I failed to read after your post.

Dur on me.

 

[Spacegoat]

Looks much better than the original new beetle.

 

[Dan_]

I think it's now official : The Beetle isn't a girly car anymore.

Do want.

 

[YSSMAN]

If you'd had a little read of the info (and everyone else's comments) you'd have already seen it's based on the Golf platform

The Beetle is actually based on the slightly different NCS chassis that rides underneath the Jetta, not the updated A5 chassis that the MKVI uses. Similar, but different... Although, I'm grasping at straws to know the exact difference aside from dimensions.

Your other point was correct. Standard Beetles, along with the TDI will use the torsion beam suspension that the Jetta has. Only the turbo models, along with the Jetta GLI, will get the multi-link rear end. Although, my understanding is that all of the NCS Jettas in Europe get the multi-link rear. That would be strange if the Beetle didn't.

 

[RacingManiac]

I know the US Jetta and Beetle are made in Mexico, which will be easy for them to share all the same design and architectural components, Golf AFAIK are made in Germany(at least the GTI and TDI is, not sure about the 2.5s). Where are the rest of the world Jetta being made?

 

[homeforsummer]

That'll be bad news for them if they really want to compete with Mini as "boutique" sporty car.....

Suppose it depends what you're after, since there are a lot of different factors when looking at a car such as the Beetle (or MINI, or 500 etc).

The first is the badge. I suspect a lot of buyers are quite partisan - the VW badge has a very strong following and normal VW people are unlikely to be tempted by the MINI or 500, but probably into the Beetle.

The second is the shape itself. Again, different things will appeal to different people. I've never been too happy with the look of the R56 MINI since it looks like a cheap Chinese knock-off of the R53 MINI, and they've ruined the proportions too (though you can thank Euro pedestrian regs and cost-cutting for that one). The 500 was appealing at first, but now they're everywhere in the UK and I'm starting to think they just look daft. The Beetle will probably become ubiquitous too, but right here and right now I think it looks great, and although it's got a retro silhouette it doesn't look too retro... i.e. it works well as a modern design as well as a classic one.

The third is requirements. The MINI and 500 are proportionately as small to the new Beetle as the originals were to the original Beetle. If you need practicality then, the Beetle will probably fit your requirements a little better.

The fourth is your own personal definition of ride and handling. Well, I suppose ride is less subjective than handling, though it wouldn't take much for the VW to be a more comfortable car than the MINI (which has quite a hard ride) and the 500 (which varies between "pretty firm" and "bone-shaking"). If you live in the UK (and I do), I suspect the VW will drive you a little less mental on our crappy roads than the other two. As for handling, the current hierarchy is MINI > 500. Where will the VW appear? Probably depends on the model you go for. Motoring mags have been very positive about the Scirocco and TT, and the GTI version of the Golf (less so, but not too bad, about the Jetta). So slower ones might be a bit less fun than a MINI, and sportier ones will probably be pretty close.

But if in doubt, points 1 and 2, badge and style, will always be the deciding factors. As it is, my money would be on the VW.

 

[CodeRedR51]

VW Vortex had a go at some modifications on a pre-production model:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/12/vwvortex-apes-the-porsche-gt3-with-beetle-rs-project/

 

[Tornado]

Those wheels would be nice if they weren't orange. About an inch too big, but that can't be helped.

 

[Zenith]

Agree with Toronado about those wheels.

Ahahaha the little Beetle is trying to be an RS Porsche just like hi- They got rid of the stupid vase in the dash? Hmm. This might be interesting.

I will admit, I was always one of those people who thought that the Beetle was too willfully girly and gimmicky. Now that it's starting to grow up though, I think I might miss its ridiculous charm. Sure I'd never own one, but the streets where I live are already at a lack of imagination, individuality, and character when it comes to cars and this seems like another step in the wrong direction.

EDIT: Also, those flared arches look fantastic.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Eh, I like the wheels. But I'm in the "flashy colored wheels are cool" department.

 

[Grayfox]

That is the US spec by the looks of it which means the EU version will will come to australia wont be the same in looks, plus this still does not change my views on this care being girly.

 

[Dan_]

]

I love the way they've hidden the B-pillars behind the windows, looks clean.

The massive orange wheels are quite awesome, I have to say, but they would look much better in a discrete hue of gold or silver.

 

[sumbrownkid]

It looks too "big" to be a VW bug.

 

[ExOxS]

In my opinion they need to give it one of those crazy retro spoilers sticking out the back, like the old Porsches.

Also, every "Sporty" car really needs those fat 19"inch wheels theese day, I'm not a fan of seeing so much tire.

That R1600 Turbo reminds me of what the love child between a Focus ST and a GT3RS looks like.

 

[Azuremen]

Also, every "Sporty" car really needs those fat 19"inch wheels theese day, I'm not a fan of seeing so much tire.

I hear something resembling a comfortable ride helps sells cars, but what do I know?

It is still hideous just like the previous model. Hopefully it is more reliable though so they aren't constantly punishing owners.

 

[sumbrownkid]

I hear something resembling a comfortable ride helps sells cars, but what do I know?

It is still hideous just like the previous model. Hopefully it is more reliable though so they aren't constantly punishing owners.

They're VWs...AKA Hitler's legacy...

Or so says the guy that told me that at the library today before he got into a C-320 and drove off.

 

[NFSCARBON1]

I wonder if there's any chance of the people who made the Golf W12 making a Rear engined one of these? Not sure if theres enough room in the boot but apparently VAG are working on a new flat four engine.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Can't see a flat 4 in this one as it would mean large changes to the engine bay/boot.

 

[Grandea GTR]

Reviving this thread to bring up a new variant of the Beetle: The Beetle Dune.

http://media.vw.com/release/1107/

I actually like how this looks.

 

[YSSMAN]

I like the idea, its definitely different compared to a lot of coupes out there. But, man, without a Haldex setup, it just doesn't seem like its as good as it could/should be.

 

[JohnBM01]

I've seen a few of these newer New Beetles before. To me, part of me still wants to see either a one-off or limited edition New Beetle with a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive setup. It would be an even more modern take on the classic Beetle. I dig the newer New Beetles.

 

[Keef]

So it's a lifted, tough looking Beetle...but it's not AWD? Kinda defeats the purpose.

 

[05XR8]

Even an AWD set up with full 100%power to the rear wheels would excite. Call it "Fun Mode" or use this symbol " " on a switch.

 

[TexRex]

The new one is definitely a marked improvement over the previous, but the redesign doesn't absolve it of its greatest sin; turning an icon of counter-culture (hippie, 'free love' movement) into one of commercialism.

 

[Grandea GTR]

I think it's high time for VW to make a Beetle R.

 

[homeforsummer]

The new one is definitely a marked improvement over the previous, but the redesign doesn't absolve it of its greatest sin; turning an icon of counter-culture (hippie, 'free love' movement) into one of commercialism.

To play devil's advocate: A Beetle becoming a counter-culture icon was as much a turnaround from the car's original intention, cheap transportation for the masses, as a counter-culture icon becoming a fashion accessory.

 

[TexRex]

To play devil's advocate: A Beetle becoming a counter-culture icon was as much a turnaround from the car's original intention, cheap transportation for the masses, as a counter-culture icon becoming a fashion accessory.

Oh absolutely. Of course, it became so profoundly popular, particularly with those of lower income and/or choosing the nomadic lifestyle common among hippies, because it was so cheap. It's not nearly so cheap [proportionally] now, though.

 

[homeforsummer]

It's not nearly so cheap [proportionally] now, though.

I had to double check this because so often when people say this it's not the case, and inflation-adjusted pricing usually has the modern car coming out much cheaper.

But the Beetle really was cheap back then. A new Beetle currently starts at $20,695. In a reference book I have, the cost of a VW Beetle 1500 in 1968 was $1777, which is $12,144 today. By 1977 a Beetle 1600 was $3959, which is $15,537 today.

I suppose those prices stand better comparison with the Mirages and Versas of this world today. The new Beetle is obviously a lot more sophisticated, but it's a shame you can't get that much character in a modern budget car. Apart from the Smart Fortwo/Forfour, which I've often considered a kind of spiritual successor to the Beetle (rear-engined, rear-drive helps).

 

[Frenzyhero]

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