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Longer and wider than its predecessor, the German automaker says that the vehicle’s designers were inspired by the lines of the original Beetle. As a result, there’s more than a little Ragster Concept thrown into the mix with a longer roof line and a more aggressively-raked windshield.
Designed to both sportier and more fuel efficient than before, the new Beetle looks like a squashed version of the outgoing model, which has actually been out of production since last year. Riding on a version of the A5 architecture that underpins the Volkswagen Jetta, the Beetle shares little more than powertrains with the outgoing car
The “cathedral” domed roof of the first New Beetle is gone, replaced instead by a still characteristically bug-like roof that, although more conventional, hardly looks like anything else on the road. Bug-eyed headlamps return, while the tail lamps have been stretched out. Some models will use a rear spoiler mounted just below the rear window. The Beetle retains its cargo-friendly hatchback shape and its cartoonish bulging fenders.
The 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine delivers around 105 horsepower while returning 65.7 mpg on the EU scale thanks to a start/stop and intelligent battery regeneration system. That equals out to around 54 mpg on the U.S. cycle, though the EPA may have something different to say should the oil burner show up in the States.
On the more entertaining end of the spectrum, Volkswagen is also offering the 2012 Beetle with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with around 200 horsepower. Like the Golf GTI, that powerplant will benefit from a transmission with an XDS electronic differential lock as standard equipment.
Despite a more upscale look, the Beetle is aiming to snag value-minded buyers with a starting price of just $18,995 plus $770 destination. That sub-$20,000 price will get you a basic model that still uses the same 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine used in the outgoing model, matched to a five-speed manual transmission. car price under $20,000
Step up to the 2.0-liter TSI model and its 200 horsepower, 207 lb-ft of torque, and your base price will start at $24,165, with another $5,000+ of option potential. VW has yet to announce pricing for its third and final engine, a 2.0-liter TDI diesel.
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Designed to both sportier and more fuel efficient than before, the new Beetle looks like a squashed version of the outgoing model, which has actually been out of production since last year. Riding on a version of the A5 architecture that underpins the Volkswagen Jetta, the Beetle shares little more than powertrains with the outgoing car
The “cathedral” domed roof of the first New Beetle is gone, replaced instead by a still characteristically bug-like roof that, although more conventional, hardly looks like anything else on the road. Bug-eyed headlamps return, while the tail lamps have been stretched out. Some models will use a rear spoiler mounted just below the rear window. The Beetle retains its cargo-friendly hatchback shape and its cartoonish bulging fenders.
The 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine delivers around 105 horsepower while returning 65.7 mpg on the EU scale thanks to a start/stop and intelligent battery regeneration system. That equals out to around 54 mpg on the U.S. cycle, though the EPA may have something different to say should the oil burner show up in the States.
Despite a more upscale look, the Beetle is aiming to snag value-minded buyers with a starting price of just $18,995 plus $770 destination. That sub-$20,000 price will get you a basic model that still uses the same 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine used in the outgoing model, matched to a five-speed manual transmission. car price under $20,000
Step up to the 2.0-liter TSI model and its 200 horsepower, 207 lb-ft of torque, and your base price will start at $24,165, with another $5,000+ of option potential. VW has yet to announce pricing for its third and final engine, a 2.0-liter TDI diesel.
Gallery Volkswagen Beetle 2012
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