Volkswagen New Beetle

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front driving the front wheels, with luggage storage in the rear. Many special editions have been released, such as the Malibu Barbie New Beetle.^[1] In May 2010, Volkswagen announced that production of the current body of the New Beetle will cease in 2011.^[2] A redesigned model has replaced it.

Concept 1

At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio,^[3] the concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo.

First generation (A4 Platform)

Strong public reaction to the Concept 1 convinced the company that it should develop a production version which was launched as the New Beetle in 1998, based on the Golf IV's larger PQ34 platform.^[4] The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance (including the absence of a car emblem script with the exception of the VW logo). In June 1999, the first turbocharged version of the Beetle was launched, known as the 1.8T, and Volkswagen created a web site dedicated specifically to that vehicle.^[5] A convertible was added in mid year 2003 to replace the Volkswagen Cabrio.

The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the original VW Beetle: separate wings, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps and large round tail lights, as well as a high rounded roofline. It is assembled currently in VW Puebla factory in Mexico.

The Volkswagen New Beetle was the car that started the retro-futurist design craze. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from popular culture. However, this modern version, being much more complicated than the simple design of the original "people's car" envisioned by Porsche, was prone to several mechanical and electronic defects. The automatic transmission, for example, is a well-documented issue, often failing after only a relatively short period of use (see:hard-shifting issue on VW Bug) and requiring expensive repair. Other issues associated with the retro design are poor access to even simple maintenance areas, making changing a front bulb for example, an expensive service operation. The convertible was also prone to failing window mechanism, which requires the window to "shuffle" when opening and closing the door in order for the window to seal with the roof due to the pillarless door design. The power roof mechanism also suffered from a very complex mechanism of pulleys and plastic flaps in order to simply cover and uncover the folding structure. This was "rectified" by VW in the 2006 model onwards by removing one plastic cover panel from the mechanism, reducing failure likelihood, but at the expense of esthetics. The New Beetle also had an overly sensitive and complex Computer control system, often requiring a full system reset at the VW Dealer whenever the battery was disconnected or discharged to enable it to be driven properly.

Specifications

• Dimension:
  • Length: 4,129 mm (162.6 in)
  • Width: 1,721 mm (67.8 in)
  • Height: 1,498 mm (59.0 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2,515 mm (99.0 in)
  • Curb weight: 1,230 kg (2,712 lb)
• Max speed: 177–210 km/h (110-131 mph)
• Acceleration (0–96 km/h | 0-60 mph): 6.5-13.2 sec

Body styles

Engine choices

Safety

The car achieved 4 stars in the Euro NCAP tests scoring 25 points (33 to reach 5 stars).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the New Beetle a Good overall score in their frontal crash test. 2004 models come standard with side airbags, however the IIHS rated the Beetle Poor in their side impact test.^[6]

United States models

Engines choices include the 115 hp (86 kW) 2.0L inline-4 for the base model, the 100 hp (75 kW) 1.9 L TDI turbodiesel inline-4 (discontinued after the 2006 model year due to more stringent emissions requirements), and the 150 hp (112 kW) 1.8 L Turbo inline-4 for the Turbo and Sport models .

The Turbo S model (sold 2002–2004) included the 1.8 L Turbo but with 180 hp (134 kW). It also included a sport suspension, six-speed manual transmission, aluminum interior trim, revised front/rear fascias and bigger wheels and tires. A close relative of the Turbo S was the 2002–2004 Color Concept. This limited edition variant was available in limited exterior colors, with interior door panel inserts, seat inserts, floor mat piping and wheel opening inserts color-matched to the exterior paint. It came standard with the turbo gasoline engine and speed activated rear spoiler, six speed automatic, power windows/sunroof/door locks, heated leather seats, and fog lamps.

All 1.8L Turbo and Turbo S inline-4 models equipped with retractable rear spoiler which not available on 1.9 L TDI inline-4, 2.0L inline-4 and 2.5 L inline-5 models.

For the 2006 model, the exterior was slightly redesigned with more angular bumpers and wheel wells, and fitted with the 2.5 L straight-5 base engine with 150 hp (112 kW), which was the only engine option from that point on.

Special editions

Beetle RSi (2001–2003)

It is a limited (250 units) version of New Beetle. It included a 224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) 3.2 litre VR6 engine,^[7] a 6-speed gearbox, and Volkswagen's four-wheel drive system 4motion, Remus twin-pipe exhaust. It was rumoured Porsche tuned the suspension but this was carried out in-house at VW Individual. The suspension was greatly altered at the rear, with geometry more geared to the race track and a rear cross brace behind the rear seats, 80 mm (3.1 in) wider fenders, unique front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, large rear wing, and 18x9 OZ Superturismo wheels with 235/40ZR-18 tyres. Inside, it was trimmed in carbon fiber, billet aluminum, and bright orange leather. The front seats were Recaro racing buckets. Notable disadvantages found were loud cabin noise and low rear tire life.

Curiously, in Mexico, although being a country very attached to Volkswagen, there are RSis that have not been sold since 2001. This is probably due to its US$58,000 price tag, and because Mexico is the country where many Beetle RSis stayed (20 cars).

Ragster concept

At the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster concept car was introduced. It was supposed to be a preview of the future design of the New Beetle. The base of the Ragster (the name denoting a cross between a "ragtop" and a speedster) was a New Beetle Convertible modified with a new roof, giving it a much lower roofline, and a unique paint job with silver double stripes. The interior differs from the original New Beetle, being a 2+2, and having distinctive control dials The Ragster's rear-view mirror is mounted on its dashboard,^[8] a retro feature, reminiscent of the first Type 1s.

Final edition (2010)

Announced at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Final Edition New Beetle features Aquarius Blue paintwork, with the hardtop receiving a black painted roof and the convertible sporting Campanella White painted side panels. In addition to unique 17" wheels, both models will be powered by a 2.5 litre engine mated to a semi-automatic "Tiptronic" transmission. Other additions include sports suspension and "Final Edition" badging inside and out. Both models arrive with integrated fog lights and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard. The production will run 1500 units of each model

This edition marks the end of production of the current generation New Beetle.^[9]

Awards

The Volkswagen New Beetle was Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year"^[10] for 1999.

Second generation (A5 platform)

The second generation Beetle (to be named "Beetle" instead of "New Beetle") was launched for the 2012 model year, being first promoted as the "21st Century Beetle". The new generation looks similar to the first generation, but with a lower profile, losing the bulbous design of the first generation while retaining the overall shape of the Volkswagen Type 1.^[11]

This generation is longer than the original (now 4,278 mm (168.4 in)) because of the new platform A5 (PQ35) that it shares with the new Volkswagen Jetta. It also has a lower profile, being 12 mm (0.5 in) lower than its predecessor and is wider, being 88 mm (3.5 in) wider. The boot is now 310 L (11 cu ft), up from 209 L (7.4 cu ft). The second generation Beetle will be built alongside the Jetta at Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico.^[12] Although early production versions in both Europe and North America have arrived with WVW VIN numbers, indicating German production.

A convertible version will follow the coupe in 2012.^[13] The top performance version, called New Beetle R, will follow later.^[14]

Launch

On November 22, 2010, on the final episode of the Oprah's Favorite Things special, Oprah Winfrey and Volkswagen announced that every member of Winfrey's audience that day would receive one of the Beetles upon their release in 2011. VW staff gave the audience their special keys to the car.^[15] This was followed by a teaser commercial during Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.

To celebrate the global reveal, VW partnered with MTV, to make a spectacular world debut on three continents on April 18. The reveal began in Shanghai, China with an exclusive MTV Sound System celebration hosted by MTV VJs, followed by MTV World Stage events in Berlin and New York City.^[16]

On April 20, 2011, the second generation Beetle was unveiled as the Volkswagen Beetle, dropping the word "New" from its name. It debuted at Auto Shanghai and the New York Auto Show.

Further promotion for the second generation Beetle includes product placement, with its first appearance notably in the video for I Wanna Go by Britney Spears, released on June 22, 2011.

Engines

The new model retains the FF layout of the first generation, while improving interior packaging with more room in the rear.^[13] Engine options for the European market are expected to include 1.2-litre (103 bhp (77 kW; 104 PS)), 1.4-litre (158 bhp (118 kW; 160 PS)) and 2.0-litre (197 bhp (147 kW; 200 PS)) TSI petrol engines, and 1.6-litre (105 bhp) and 2.0-litre (138 bhp (103 kW; 140 PS)) TDI diesel engines. In addition to the 2.0-litre TSI and TDI engines the North American market retains the 2.5-litre (168 bhp (125 kW; 170 PS)) inline-5 petrol engine found in the previous Beetle.^[12][13][17]

All engines for this model are offered with an option of a six-speed manual transmission or the option of a dual-clutch DSG automatic. In the United States transmissions on petrol models come with either a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic on 2.5 L models, while on the clean diesel model there is the option of a DSG 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.^[17]

Special editions

The first special edition of the 2012 Beetle is the Black Turbo launch edition. It will be limited to 600 cars on the U.S. market and will be the first car available through Volkswagen’s new Vehicle Pre-Order program.^[18]

A Beetle Turbo Black made an appearance at the 30th annual Wörthersee Treffen in June 2011 in Reifnitz, Austria. It was located on the floating barge showcase at the entrance to the show. Other cars on the barge included a Reifnitz Edition GTI and the Touareg Racer.

See also

• Punch buggy
• Hot hatch
• Beetle Adventure Racing!

References

External links

• Official New Beetle website at Volkswagen.com
• VX 21st Century New Beetle page