Ladies and gents, say hello to the all-new, third generation Volkswagen Beetle that was unwrapped today ahead of its world premiere at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and New York Auto Show. The newest interpretation of the Bug comes 73 years after the launch of the original Beetle in 1938, which sold an amazing 21.5 million units, and 13 years after the debut of the New Beetle in 1998 that managed to sell a little over 1 million units until production ended in 2010.
When it goes on sale in North America and Europe in the fall of 2011, and the rest of the world from early 2012, the latest model will be known simply as the ‘Beetle’ as Volkswagen dropped the ‘New’ from the car’s name.
If someone asked us to summarize the qualities of the 2012 Beetle in a few words, it would be: larger, more mature and unisex. Starting with the design, VW’s goal was to make the 21st century Beetle appeal to both genders. As a result, the VW Group’s chief designer Walter de Silva and his team offered the Beetle a meaner and lower-slung look that draws on cues from the Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. The overall styling is far less bulbous and more chiseled compared to the New Beetle, while keeping the retro feel of the series.
The same goes for the interior, with Volkswagen dropping the ‘cute’ features of the previous model such as the signature “bud vase” mounted to the dashboard. Highlights include an available flat bottom steering wheel, an extra glovebox integrated in the front facia whose lid folds upward while keeping the standard glovebox that opens downward, optional auxiliary instruments above the center console and integrated audio and navigation systems with a 5-inch or a 6.5-inch screen. As an option, VW offers a panoramic sunroof that is said to be 80 percent larger than on the previous model.
The 2012 Beetle has grown in size and now measures 4,278 mm in length (+152 mm), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm). The track width front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, are also increased over its predecessor and promise to offer improved interior space. In addition, the boot capacity is 310 liters, up from 209 liters in the 1998 model, while all versions come with a split-fold rear seat for improved versatility.
Like its predecessor, the Beetle features a front mounted engine, front-wheel drive layout. Depending on the region, the latest Bug will be offered with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines.
In the U.S., powertrain options include a 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel with 140HP and either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, that returns 40mpg in the Highway cycle, 29mpg in City driving, and 33mpg combined.
The gasoline range comprises of VW’s –you-guessed it- archaic 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit with 170HP. The manual version attains 22 mpg (City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined), while its counterpart with a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22 mpg (City), 29 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined).
Finally, U.S. buyers can opt for a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline unit with 200HP and a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. It is offered with a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG.
For the rest of the world including Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Beetle will be offered solely with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, all of which are being used for the first time in the Beetle.
Gasoline choices include a 1.2-litre TSI with 105HP, a 1.4-litre TSI delivering 160HP and a 2.0-litre TSI producing 200HP. The diesel range includes a 1.6-liter with 105HP and a 140HP unit. According to VW, thanks to the addition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems the Beetle 1.6-litre 105HP is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (equal to 54.7 mpg US or 65.7 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 112 g/km.
All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.
We’ll have more details and photos of the 2012 Beetle from the New York Auto Show this week, so stay tuned to Carscoop.
Key facts summary Name: The Beetle World debut: 18 April 2011 Market launch, North America: September / October 2011 Market launch, Europe: October / November 2011 Market launch, Asia: February 2012 Market launch, South America: late 2012 / early 2013 Character: iconic automobile Equipment lines: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport" Engine power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS Lowest fuel consumption (combined), Europe: 4.3 lt/100 km (1.6 TDI) Fuel economy (combined) USA: 33 mpg (2.0 TDI) Engine specifications: all petrol engines are charged TSI engines (except 2.5-litre engine for USA); all diesels are new common rail TDI engines; all engines meet Euro-5 emissions standard; all US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV Debut of original Beetle: 1938 Debut of New Beetle: 1998 Total units built to date: more than 22.5 million Designers: Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand), Exterior: Marc Lichte (team leader), Cris Lesmana, Nisan Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski (team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour and trim: Oona Scheepers (team leader), Susanne Gerken Exterior dimensions: 4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm
width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbaseCargo capacity: 310 litres
31 Comments:
For the first time ever, I feel the need to go and buy a Beetle. Holy smokes that is gorgeous!!!
I see bits of the Panamera in the rear end. Overall, one very well executed vehicle.
Can wait for a 'Turbonium'
Very nice!
I agree, very nice VW. Not sure about the dash finish however.
I had the exact same thoughts as Andrew. If I was in the market for a small hatch, I would definitely be looking the new Beetle. That is a really good looking car.
Opened this with one eye shut expecting to see the early comments to be a string of the typical hate and loathing and was truly surprised to see props. I too think it’s a pretty successful update of a near-impossible car to freshen. Good work VW.
Looks much less effeminate than past models; masculine in some of its styling. I actually would not mind to be seen driving it. VW has a new winner on its hands!
you all read my mind.
very nice, less girly hair dresser car.
Super!!!
I like it!!!
ditto
Finally a beetle for the queers that pitch!
Seriously? All you VW marketing guys: your nice comments will not save this car. This interior in a trendy car??? You must be joking! Perhaps my grandfather would like it. Why didn't you just copy-paste the Polo interior? Oh sorry, you actually just did that with some analogue instruments that you think will make it fashionable. FAIL!
I like the more masculine interior and exterior profile. I think the head lamps tell a different story. If only VW can find a different way to incorporate the LED lights to make it less akin to eye liners, it just might be able to reach a broader demographic. But then again, VW might be onto something.
Longer, lower, wider... It's only missing the portholes that all cars will have...
I can't help but think of the 60's and VW's advertising...
Longer, lower, wider... It's only missing the portholes that all cars will have...
Boing: I think somebody needs to go eat a bran muffin.
That's a nice looking car. I bet it's going to be impressive in person, too. Kudos for updating this car into something worth lusting over.
more masculine but strange proportions...looks like a standard beetle hit by a hammer on the head...
Is the shoulder part of the seatbelt built into the front seats. It looks like it comes out of the seat which is cool.. nice car too and I would buy one , style wise it is great, mpg wise is my only grip. 40 from a diesel engine is not that amazing when Hyundai new elantra gas engine does the same. I would like to see a diesel engine in a small car return at least 45 to 50 mpg but none the less this is really a nice masculine looking car esp in black and red" saw the black one on anther autoweb site,also is it just me or is this almost Porsche 911 like which is way cool. I guess it all comes down to price then.
So they chopped the top on the previous model, and BAM! New Design.
I think not.
Wow - they will have a winner on thir hands. The last models have been like toys, but this is much much much better. The interior is also vastly improved, not so cliche anymore... Can see lots of gyus going for this as its lost its girly image..Well done VW on what must have been a hard car to supercede...
And DAV above, compare the two together - not even similar really, except that it is a beetle.
I hate it.. I owned a 2001 and bought it because it was a beetle. Go buy a Porsche if you want the styling not a look at like.
"Go buy a Porsche if you want the styling not a look at like."
Fuck that, get a Tatra. Porsche is the look-a-like (and theif).
Think only sickeners do not like this car. What not to like?
Stop to find faults!
Are You depressed?
Great update. Makes the car handsome.
um... what? I am honestly surprised to see some people calling it nice... PT cruiser has just been resurrected with a set of bug eyes.
And what exactly does this very chintzy and rather silly retro car offer over a Golf apart from a higher price and less practicality? Another truly pointless piece of German platform-sharing for buyers lacking in imagination and taste...
Wait, the back end looks like a Panamera? WHAT? Is that a complement???????
I love the new design. Funny thing is I don't even like Beetles at all. It looks like an audi,porsche, and vw mashed together.
I absolutely agree with you! This now looks like every other car out there, why couldn't they leave this one alone?
I think that it looks like a gimpy porsche. Looks better than the old beetle but its still just a bug.new beetle 2012
like
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