John Clark Motor Group  >   Volkswagen  >   News & Events  >   Britian Gets Ready for The Beetle

< Back

• New Beetle made its debut at Shanghai Motor Show in April
• Over 21.5 million Beetles have been sold since the original model was created in 1938, putting it among the world’s top three most successful cars of all time; over one million New Beetles were sold, of which over 68,000 were in the UK
• All new generation Beetle models are front-wheel drive, front engined and have three doors and four seats
• Created by a team led by Walter de Silva (Group Design Chief) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand Head of Design), the new Beetle is substantially longer, wider and lower than the outgoing car and on a marginally longer wheelbase, meaning it looks more sporty, masculine and dynamic
• New proportions and design break substantially with those of the 1998 version with a much longer bonnet and the steeper inclined windscreen moved back, making the latest model more akin to the original Beetle or the Ragster concept which was shown in Detroit in 1995
• Dimensions are: length 4,278 mm (+152 mm); width 1,808 mm (+84); height 1,486 mm (-12); wheelbase 2,537 mm (+22); while track widths have also increased by 63 mm to 1,578 mm at the front and by 49 mm to 1,544 mm at the rear
• Cargo capacity has increased and ranges from 310 litres to 905 litre with split/folding rear bench folded (previously 209/769)
• For the UK, four versions will be available: three petrol and one diesel. At launch a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS with seven-speed DSG gearbox and a 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS six-speed manual will be on offer; to follow in the second half of 2012 are a manual version of the 1.2-litre 105 PS, a 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS petrol and a 1.6-litre TDI with 105 PS and BlueMotion Technology modifications to allow it to return and expected combined 65.7 mpg and 114 g/km of CO₂
• On the road, new suspension contributes to more dynamic driving performance than in the previous model. A very lightweight strut type set-up at the front is completed by semi-independent rear suspension. The 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS has four-link rear suspension and, along with the 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS, also benefits from standard XDS electronic differential lock, as fitted to the Golf GTI
• Trim levels will be defined as ‘Beetle’, ‘Design’ and ‘Sport’
• All will have a high level of equipment with highlights including Air Conditioning and DAB radio; Alloy wheels, Multi-function leather steering wheel, MDI (multi-device interface), Bluetooth and colour co-ordinated dash and door panels on Design; and Climatronic,
  Piano Black dash panels, parking sensors and black wing mirrors on Sport
• Safety will of course also be a high priority with twin front and side airbags, plus ABS, ESP all standard. The Beetle’s body is largely laser-welded and galvanised meaning it has one of the best torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/˚ – making it not only safe but also refined and comfortable to drive
• Inside, the Beetle has an all new design; the bud vase is gone; the second glovebox integrated into the facia with an upward folding lid (familiar to those who know the air-cooled version) is back. Ergonomic and easy to read, all dials and controls are within easy reach and sight
• A range of optional items, including satellite navigation systems, KESSY keyless entry and start, a panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors and new dash-mounted gauges are available for the first time on the Beetle
• Pricing will be confirmed when the model is opened for ordering, but is expected to range from around £15,000 to £25,000
• New model will continue to be built at Volkswagen’s Puebla plant in Mexico, alongside the Jetta and Golf Estate

 For more information call your local Specialist Cars.