VW's trendy car gets more boy-ish looks and performance.
- Enlighten me please, when can I get one?
In February 2012, according to an announced timetable by Volkswagen. In fact, Asia is the third region in the world to get the second-generation New Beetle, after North America and Europe see it later this year. South America is last on the list with a scheduled launch date of late 2012 or early 2013.
The all-new New Beetle was launched simultaneously in three cities earlier this week: Berlin, New York, and Shanghai. Such a strategy reflects the importance of VW's fashionable car around the world.
- No wonder it looks so much like before...
Uh-huh. As the saying goes: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" The general styling of the New Beetle has evolved very mildly _ the same way today's Mini has been transformed from the Mk1 (after the original).
While the front end of the New Beetle is predictably similar to before, the rear sees bigger lights and a fixed spoiler for higher performing versions. New features that are options, though, include bi-xenon and LED headlights, 19-inch wheels and panoramic glass roof.
The dimensions have grown marginally, including an 84mm wider and 152mm longer body, to allow for more occupant space inside. Before, it was particularly cramped in the rear.
Since headroom for the driver and front passenger was never a critical issue, VW lowered the height by 12mm to allow for a more dynamic appearance.
The people at Wolfsburg say that boot space has been improved by some 30%, that is, it has been increased from 209 litres to a more useful 310 litres.
- The flower vase is gone...
Yes, and note how the cabin has transformed into that of a typical modern-day VW. In other words, it appears VW has attempted to make the interior appeal more to men than just women _ note the three gauges on top of the fascia and the flat-bottomed steering wheel.
These, according to VW, also help rekindle the spirit of the original Beetle, which is also why the New Beetle gets an audio system from Fender to help owners relish the old days of Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.
Of course, there are a host of other customisation schemes for markets to choose from since this is a trendy car we're talking about.
- The same goes for the engine range, right?
Exactly, and VW is making sure that it has got customers of all Minis on target. The engine range announced for this part of the world includes 105hp/160hp/200hp petrol heads and 105hp/140hp diesel units, all in four-pot form, that can be specified with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Surely, the 105hp is all you'll ever need if all you care about is the catwalk. And this specific version would cost around 1.8 million baht on Thai shores _ roughly the same as the outgoing model.
But we reckon the version that should appeal to Thais the most would be the 160hp petrol, because it will get them that spoiler and big mag wheels. It should still comfortably undercut the 184hp Mini Cooper S, which is priced from 2.8 million.
The 200hp should be a real scorcher (there's a diff to keep the party from going too wild) and VW is making bold claims that performance doesn't come at the expense of fuel economy.
The 200hp model can achieve 13.5kpl on the average, while the 160hp does 16.9kpl. The diesels have better scores, although their Thai sales are more likely to be overshadowed by the petrol motors.
Around one million New Beetles have been sold since 1998.
Looking back
The history of Volkswagen's fabled Beetle dates back to 1938. Originally intended as "the people's car", with its affordable price and sensible proportions, the Beetle eventually became a classic with a loyal following around the world.
With numerous engine variants, as well as hard-top and convertible bodies, the total number of Beetles manufactured came to an impressive 21.5 million units.
In 1998, VW modernised its cult car in the guise of the New Beetle. But it was quite a way off from the original as the engine and drive axle was moved from the back to the front. Simply put, the New Beetle was a reskinned Golf.
But that didn't stop it from becoming popular; some 1 million units have been made over the 12-year life cycle. Thus, the New Beetle Mk2 is still based on the Golf.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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