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New Models
DRIVEN: VW Beetle Gets A Makeover
Redesigned retro bug goes lower, wider, longer to achieve a sportier, less cutesy image.
The 'third-generation' Volkswagen Beetle looks similar to the previous model, only better. (Photo: Bob Golfen)
The New Beetle was nothing less than a sensation when it arrived in 1998, rekindling memories of VW beetles past and hitting the spot with a new generation of Vee-Dub owners.
Volkswagen had a solid hit on its hands with the quirky, retro styling set on the backbone of a modern automobile, which started a trend most recently visited by the new Fiat 500. The fact that the New Beetle was front-engine, front-drive instead of rear-engine, rear-drive seemed to matter little; the style was the thing.
But the New Beetle didn’t age well, its cutely rounded form wearing thin over the years and gaining a reputation as a designer car for aspiring high-school girls. The deep, van-like dashboard was off-putting from the start for many people, a classic case of function following form instead of the other way around.
Volkswagen designers have addressed those issues with the latest retro Beetle, going for a sportier and more-refined look that still channels those crusty old beetles that originally put VW on the worldwide map. Longer, lower, wider (which sounds more like a 1950s new-car chant), the latest Beetle has shed some of the cuddliness from its image as well as dropping “New” from its name.
By the way, “beetle” was a nickname for the old VW Type 1, one of many, so it doesn’t get capitalized as does the New Beetle and the latest Beetle, which has the bug word as its official title.
VW recently brought a bunch of 2012 Beetles to Virginia near the nation’s capital for auto writers to test out and see if the designers have indeed re-focused it. Along with the Beetles, VW made available its full lineup of cars, vans and SUVs for us to sample.
The latest version of what the marketers call the “third-generation” of the Volkswagen Beetle does seem more polished while adding a dash of masculinity to the package. Despite its consciously retro styling, it seems more like a “real” car rather than a fun fashion statement.
The roofline has been lowered and flattened and the windshield is more upright, which removes the arcing look of the previously version and appears more akin to the original beetle. It also has the effect of reducing the depth of the dashboard, which is certainly a welcomed development.
Along with the more-normal dash, the interior has been upgraded with a sophisticated look while staying true to its retro mission. For instance, a second small glove box situated above the main one is designed to look and function like the original flat-lidded compartment on the first-gen beetle.
The rear aspect has been more rounded off and better integrated into the overall design, focusing attention on the C pillar and the steeply sloped backside. The spoiler on the Turbo looks pretty cool, but I think it somewhat foils the overall rear styling, which looks cleaner and better defined without it.
The interior feels substantially wider than the previous model, given the additional 3.3 inches of body width. I drove with another big guy on our test routes, and we weren’t in the least bit crowded. The interior ceiling remains fairly high although not as lofty as the rounded “cathedral” ceiling of the last Beetle, with was a half-inch taller.
The Beetle has also been stretched 6.6 inches, which gives it a more-substantial look and a larger trunk, although the back seat should still be reserved for little people, such as kids. The hatchback provides lots of loading room, and the back seats fold down to add cargo space.
Adding another bit of kind-of retro flair are the classic Fender emblems on the audio system; VW has teamed up with the Fender guitar company for premium audio systems. It sounds great, too, especially while playing the wailing notes of a Stratocaster.
Beetle will come in two flavors when it arrives in showrooms this fall, the standard model with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower five-cylinder engine and a performance model powered by a 2-liter, 200-horsepower turbocharged four. Later in the model run, Beetle will add a thrifty 2-liter turbo-diesel TDI model, which makes up for its scant 140 horsepower with 236 pound-feet of torque.
We drove the quicker Turbo gas model, which can be quickly identified by its small spoiler below the rear window and big twin exhaust tips. All the Beetles in the test fleet were equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions; naturally aspirated models get regular automatics while turbo versions get quick-shifting DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatics.
On the road, the Beetle Turbo felt plenty quick, with steering-wheel paddle shifters helping to wring the most out of the 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Left in automatic mode, the transmission seemed slow to downshift on demand. Stickshift is also available, which would be my choice.
The engine revs freely and feels stronger than the numbers would indicate, particularly since the Beetle Turbo weighs just 3,000 pounds. Turbo lag was non-existent as the max torque comes on at 1,700 rpm.
Volkswagen had a solid hit on its hands with the quirky, retro styling set on the backbone of a modern automobile, which started a trend most recently visited by the new Fiat 500. The fact that the New Beetle was front-engine, front-drive instead of rear-engine, rear-drive seemed to matter little; the style was the thing.
But the New Beetle didn’t age well, its cutely rounded form wearing thin over the years and gaining a reputation as a designer car for aspiring high-school girls. The deep, van-like dashboard was off-putting from the start for many people, a classic case of function following form instead of the other way around.
Volkswagen designers have addressed those issues with the latest retro Beetle, going for a sportier and more-refined look that still channels those crusty old beetles that originally put VW on the worldwide map. Longer, lower, wider (which sounds more like a 1950s new-car chant), the latest Beetle has shed some of the cuddliness from its image as well as dropping “New” from its name.
By the way, “beetle” was a nickname for the old VW Type 1, one of many, so it doesn’t get capitalized as does the New Beetle and the latest Beetle, which has the bug word as its official title.
VW recently brought a bunch of 2012 Beetles to Virginia near the nation’s capital for auto writers to test out and see if the designers have indeed re-focused it. Along with the Beetles, VW made available its full lineup of cars, vans and SUVs for us to sample.
The latest version of what the marketers call the “third-generation” of the Volkswagen Beetle does seem more polished while adding a dash of masculinity to the package. Despite its consciously retro styling, it seems more like a “real” car rather than a fun fashion statement.
The roofline has been lowered and flattened and the windshield is more upright, which removes the arcing look of the previously version and appears more akin to the original beetle. It also has the effect of reducing the depth of the dashboard, which is certainly a welcomed development.
Along with the more-normal dash, the interior has been upgraded with a sophisticated look while staying true to its retro mission. For instance, a second small glove box situated above the main one is designed to look and function like the original flat-lidded compartment on the first-gen beetle.
The rear aspect has been more rounded off and better integrated into the overall design, focusing attention on the C pillar and the steeply sloped backside. The spoiler on the Turbo looks pretty cool, but I think it somewhat foils the overall rear styling, which looks cleaner and better defined without it.
The interior feels substantially wider than the previous model, given the additional 3.3 inches of body width. I drove with another big guy on our test routes, and we weren’t in the least bit crowded. The interior ceiling remains fairly high although not as lofty as the rounded “cathedral” ceiling of the last Beetle, with was a half-inch taller.
The Beetle has also been stretched 6.6 inches, which gives it a more-substantial look and a larger trunk, although the back seat should still be reserved for little people, such as kids. The hatchback provides lots of loading room, and the back seats fold down to add cargo space.
Adding another bit of kind-of retro flair are the classic Fender emblems on the audio system; VW has teamed up with the Fender guitar company for premium audio systems. It sounds great, too, especially while playing the wailing notes of a Stratocaster.
Beetle will come in two flavors when it arrives in showrooms this fall, the standard model with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower five-cylinder engine and a performance model powered by a 2-liter, 200-horsepower turbocharged four. Later in the model run, Beetle will add a thrifty 2-liter turbo-diesel TDI model, which makes up for its scant 140 horsepower with 236 pound-feet of torque.
We drove the quicker Turbo gas model, which can be quickly identified by its small spoiler below the rear window and big twin exhaust tips. All the Beetles in the test fleet were equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions; naturally aspirated models get regular automatics while turbo versions get quick-shifting DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatics.
On the road, the Beetle Turbo felt plenty quick, with steering-wheel paddle shifters helping to wring the most out of the 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Left in automatic mode, the transmission seemed slow to downshift on demand. Stickshift is also available, which would be my choice.
The engine revs freely and feels stronger than the numbers would indicate, particularly since the Beetle Turbo weighs just 3,000 pounds. Turbo lag was non-existent as the max torque comes on at 1,700 rpm.
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