Volkswagen, 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle Rendered
Shockingly, despite a crazy (non-U.S.), VR6-powered RSi version and a midcycle face lift, the hype surrounding the New Beetle certainly died down over the past few years, and the car is due for a redesign. After all, it still uses the two-generations-old Golf IV's PQ34 platform, which will live on only in emerging markets such as China.
In 12 years, VW has built 1.2 million units of the New Beetle, with the U.S. being the single largest—and therefore most important—market. Not bad for a compact car that started out as a designer’s crazy dream. Conceived in 1994 as the Concept 1 by J Mays and his team in VW's California design studio, it drew such enthusiasm that Ferdinand Piëch decided to push for a production version. In 1998, the New Beetle was launched at the Detroit auto show. Its boxy, yellow press kit contained a flower vase, which was to become the trademark of the Beetle's interior. The car was as cheerful as VW's dealers, who finally had a car delivered to their lots that they could sell for way over sticker.
VW has decided to jump-start the faithful and do a second edition. Lovers of the cutesy compact can expect the entirely new, redesigned New Beetle to be launched next spring and appear at dealers in the summer of 2011 as a 2012 model—the U.S. market will be served first. Beetle production will continue to take place at VW's Puebla, Mexico, plant, alongside the 2011 Jetta.
Compared to the outgoing model, the next-gen New Beetle sports somewhat more angular details, and a source who has seen the vehicle describes it as "a sharper, stronger, more substantial car." The front end draws from the horizontal lines that characterize VW's current portfolio—without abandoning the trademark round headlights, of course. The side windows are outlined, and the rear end looks more powerful than that of the current model. Still, the look will be immediately recognizable.
Powertrains for this front-driver will come from VW's vast parts bin, with the naturally aspirated, 115-hp, 2.0-liter four likely serving as the entry-level engine for the U.S. market. More power could come from the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, but VW might also make the switch to the smaller but more powerful turbo- and supercharged 1.4-liter TSI engine, which can make upwards of 170 hp, and the turbocharged, 200- or 210-hp 2.0-liter TSI from the GTI and GLI. This platform's possibilities are virtually limitless: There could be an R version with some 270 hp, a return of a TDI model, all-wheel-drive versions, or a hybrid. While the entry-level Beetle will likely keep its Aisin-designed automatic, the turbocharged models will get VW's dual-clutch automated manual transmissions.
Although engine choices are still in flux, an additional body style is a certainty: a convertible will again appear and is due to be launched a year or so after the hatchback comes to market. Look for the new New Beetle to debut at the New York auto show next April.
Shockingly, despite a crazy (non-U.S.), VR6-powered RSi version and a midcycle face lift, the hype surrounding the New Beetle certainly died down over the past few years, and the car is due for a redesign. After all, it still uses the two-generations-old Golf IV's PQ34 platform, which will live on only in emerging markets such as China.
In 12 years, VW has built 1.2 million units of the New Beetle, with the U.S. being the single largest—and therefore most important—market. Not bad for a compact car that started out as a designer’s crazy dream. Conceived in 1994 as the Concept 1 by J Mays and his team in VW's California design studio, it drew such enthusiasm that Ferdinand Piëch decided to push for a production version. In 1998, the New Beetle was launched at the Detroit auto show. Its boxy, yellow press kit contained a flower vase, which was to become the trademark of the Beetle's interior. The car was as cheerful as VW's dealers, who finally had a car delivered to their lots that they could sell for way over sticker.
VW has decided to jump-start the faithful and do a second edition. Lovers of the cutesy compact can expect the entirely new, redesigned New Beetle to be launched next spring and appear at dealers in the summer of 2011 as a 2012 model—the U.S. market will be served first. Beetle production will continue to take place at VW's Puebla, Mexico, plant, alongside the 2011 Jetta.
Compared to the outgoing model, the next-gen New Beetle sports somewhat more angular details, and a source who has seen the vehicle describes it as "a sharper, stronger, more substantial car." The front end draws from the horizontal lines that characterize VW's current portfolio—without abandoning the trademark round headlights, of course. The side windows are outlined, and the rear end looks more powerful than that of the current model. Still, the look will be immediately recognizable.
Powertrains for this front-driver will come from VW's vast parts bin, with the naturally aspirated, 115-hp, 2.0-liter four likely serving as the entry-level engine for the U.S. market. More power could come from the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, but VW might also make the switch to the smaller but more powerful turbo- and supercharged 1.4-liter TSI engine, which can make upwards of 170 hp, and the turbocharged, 200- or 210-hp 2.0-liter TSI from the GTI and GLI. This platform's possibilities are virtually limitless: There could be an R version with some 270 hp, a return of a TDI model, all-wheel-drive versions, or a hybrid. While the entry-level Beetle will likely keep its Aisin-designed automatic, the turbocharged models will get VW's dual-clutch automated manual transmissions.
Although engine choices are still in flux, an additional body style is a certainty: a convertible will again appear and is due to be launched a year or so after the hatchback comes to market. Look for the new New Beetle to debut at the New York auto show next April.
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