VW’s new New Beetle

Not the car for me, but I wish VW well on this one.

I’m intrigued by the 2.0T version of this car. Will it provide GTI-like handling/driving fun? Several aftermarket tuners, including the folks at VWVortex.com have already started having a lot of fun with this car. I think it will surprise many of us die-hard MINI fanatics, just how much the revised Beetle will be cross-shopped with the MINI Cooper and Cooper S. Everyone has been talking about how the Fiat 500 is the first real challenger in many years, (if ever), to the MINI, but I’d wager a dollar that the Beetle will soon be in many comparo’s against our beloved MINI…

The photos of the silver-and-striped example are particularly unflattering. Partly for the stripes, partly for the tiny 17″ wheels (trust me, on this body and with those flared fenders you need 18″ wheels as a minimum and 19″ wheels would be even better aesthetically). 

I have seen other photos of this car in the turbo trim and it is quite a purposeful and interesting looking thing (see VWVortex forums as mentioned by MF). I agree with the poster above that a lot of people will cross-shop this versus the MINI. And I can vouch second-hand (my sister has a 2002) that the car is actually quite reliable, very roomy up front, and fairly commodious – in other words, quite a practical daily driver despite its ‘stylish’ affectations. Now throw in what should be a much better sorted chassis from the current Mk6 Golf/GTI, cleaned up interior layout, and edgier exterior styling and you should have quite an appealing alternative to the MINI S (and the Fiat 500 abarth, despite the VW being a half-size larger in every dimension). I’m glad to see this car arrive… an update to the New Beetle was LONG overdue and the very cool “Turbo S” model (which in many ways looked like a mini-911) was too short-lived in the Canadian market.

I must commend VW for finally replacing the “New Beetle” with a much less whimsical design. I mean, even “Herbie, the Love Bug” was much more serious looking, paint job notwithstanding. The A5 based iteration appears to present a much more handsome silhouette. Without mentioning design minutia details, I think the overall composition offers a vast improvement over its predecessor. And replacing the flower vase with a glove box attests to VW’s intent to de-feminize the iconic model that has attracted male buyers for generations. 

While I can appreciate the functional benefit of a larger vehicle, from an aesthetic perspective, I am not enamored by its increased size. Like MINI, VW has eschewed tradition by electing to make the Beetle an alt-around more practical vehicle versus keeping its (pre-New Beetle) scale intact. There is really no need for VW or MINI to put there traditional models on growth hormones given the range of models available. Increasing scale detracts from the uniqueness of the model. Both MINI and the Beetle should look like classic Shuco wind-up cars, and not like many 21st century American “Biggest Loser” contestants. 

Again, on a positive note, the car looks fairly nice sans the cathedral ceiling and ping-pong table dash. Scale remains its main detractor. If I were on the design team at VW, I would suggest a slim fast diet and an even more radical chop off the top to give it a “Speedster-like” appearance. I can imagine this car incorporating R32 running gear with a VR6 engine. Regrettably, the anticipated VII series Golf is far less impressive than the Beetle. The Beetle has potential. It may just be another instance requiring visual adjustment over time. I an sure that tuners and the after market will do a commendable job refining the design and perhaps adding a few steeds to the under hood stable.

I suspect Wolfsburg has created a winner. Will the Scirocco upstage the Beetle? Time will tell. Nearly neglected to mentioned the upcoming Jetta Coupe. It could also compromise the Beetle’s sales success.

It seems that everything is growing — our cars, our waistlines, taxation, gas prices, the national debt, cost of education and medical care, and unemployment. Everything, that is, except our incomes and real estate values. I say swim upstream, buck the tide, march to your own drummers MINI and VW. Think Small. That was the classic message VW made famous in the 60s. How about manifesting that credo once again. It would not only be “politically correct,” and sound the anti-Hummer battle cry. It would serve to preserve tradition and … above all else, be cool!

The interior design is decidedly echoing classic VW Beetle roots. The fascia layout, including a requisite glove box, seating, and reduced roof dome all lend desirable, and long missed, authentic character to this vehicle. I can’t say that I see the PT Cruiser resemblance that has been mentioned. Portions of the side profile, if anything, have slight nuances suggesting 1940s Chevrolets or perhaps late ’50s/early ’60s Volvos — particularly the roof line and rear side and back windows, nonetheless it is unmistakably Volkswagen. 

As the Autoblog article states, the 138 hp TDI may be the calling card, particularly the cabriolet version. Hopefully, offering this extraordinary diesel will perk up the ears of the MINI marketing/engineering executives and prompt them to finally land the MINI D on U.S. shores. Audi/VW TDI engines are very well engineered and have proven their phenomenal capability both on and off track. The V10 TDI once offered in the Touareg was a formidable powerhouse — and something not offered in the Cayenne. Audi has presented a compelling V10 TDI R8 prototype to the world, but not yet chosen to grace its showroom floors with one. Even Bentley (a VW product) was toying with the idea. Clearly, it’s time for MINI to offer a “plain vanilla” diesel in the Cooper and an “uber diesel” in the JCW Cooper S. Of course, the Countryman is crying for an oil burner. Better yet, think about using a Deutz air-cooled diesel. That would certainly “one-up” VW.

A final thought: Wouldn’t it be nice to see a return to metal fascia/dashboards. Classic “Bugs” and Porsches had them beautifully painted to match the exterior and even embellished with chrome plated glove box doors. Many of the “exotic” Italian marques had tasteful wrinkle finish matte black fascia matching their valve covers. Given current safety regulations and relative cost, we may be doomed to find beauty in foam forevermore. Bentley has managed to exhibit some “heavy metal” with its engine turned accents. Like to see others follow suit. Aside from a few rare examples, it is unlikely that we will ever see cloisonne enamel gracing hood ornaments, name plates, or wheel hubs/hubcaps. Plastic, foam, faux plastic chrome/carbon/wood now make our automotive home more synthetic than ever. 

The design has beem greatly improved, but the VW Beetle at 168.4-inches long is a much longer car than the MINI Hatch, since it’s almost a foot longer than the Countryman at 156.48-inches.