Released in 1998, the New Beetle brought the fun back to Volkswagen, with a carefree attitude harkening back to the vehicle that inspired it. Standing in stark contrast to the increasingly boring vehicles of the time, the New Beetle was inspired, controversial, and-perhaps most importantly-different, serving as a form of personal expression for middle-class consumers who weren't interested in expensive sports coupes, SUVs, and luxury sedans. The little car appealed to a wide-ranging audience, and even if you didn't care for it personally, you appreciated that it was something different and special.
Fourteen years later, the redesigned Beetle (which Volkswagen recognizes is no longer "New") hopes to make the same case. However, where the New Beetle won hearts on the strength of its design, enabling owners to overlook the limited space and average performance, the Beetle has a different selling point: it's an excellent "value" car in many respects. That's a very good thing, because the 2012 model can't possibly have the cultural impact of its predecessor.
For the most part, the cars and trucks of 1998 were a conservative lot, reflecting consumer desires for practicality and affordability. In that environment, it was impossible for the New Beetle not to stand out. Nowadays-and thanks to the New Beetle-the list of trendy and inexpensive cars includes MINI Coopers, Kia Souls, Honda CR-Zs, Nissan Jukes, and every Scion vehicle. The quality of automotive design is so high that economy cars such as the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus are attracting customers with previously unheard-of combinations of practicality, performance, and styling.
Luckily for Volkswagen, it had a good starting point for the redesign: the A5 platform used to great effect in the Golf, Jetta, Eos, and Tiguan, as well as the Audi A3 hatchback. With an up-to-date chassis and VW's superb four-cylinder engines, the Beetle would be almost certain to improve upon the performance and ride quality of its predecessor. That left only the styling to question, and if you've seen the photos, you already know that the designers got it right.
Though it retains the required shape, the 2012 Beetle trades in the half-moon profile for an exterior that is stronger and sportier. It's still a cute and happy car, but takes itself a bit more seriously as a road-going vehicle. It wouldn't look out of place on the track, and you might even imagine it dressed up as a modern take on Disney's Herbie-something that was hard to envision with the 1998 model.
The New Beetle was unique, and the world took notice. The Beetle may not stand out as much, but with equally compelling design and improvements across the board, it deserves just as much attention.
Design-Longer, wider and lower than the New Beetle, the Beetle gains a more planted and athletic stance. You might even call it aggressive, if not for the oval headlamps and wide, up-turned lower grille that give it the slightest hint of a smiling, happy face.
It's the little details that make the exterior design, from the LED lights rimming the outsides of the headlamps to the smooth curves where the broad fender panels join to the body. Throw in the black side mirrors and rear spoiler, and you have a very complete and thoughtful design.
The Beetle benefits from a nononsense interior complete with a sporty, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Unlike the futuristic designs found in many current vehicles, it favours a more traditional look, with a wide and slim dashboard and an overall feel that is well-matched to the exterior.
Performance-Power comes from a 2.5L inline-four with 170-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, or a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four with 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Used throughout the VW and Audi line-ups, both engines are well-developed and suitable for the Beetle's needs.
Interestingly, there are four different transmissions available to the Beetle. The base 2.5L comes with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, while the 2.0L has a six-speed manual or Direct Shift Gearbox.
The steering system has a solid, linear feel, providing accurate road feedback and ensuring that the Beetle feels sharp and responsive at all times.
Ride quality was never great in the New Beetle, which was a little too rough and harsh, but such is not the case with the Beetle. It's smooth, comfortable, and quiet, feeling much more refined and stable.
Environment-Aside from environmental controls that are a bit low on the dash, usability is generally very good-that extends to the optional touchscreen navigation system, which is very easy to use. However, in-cabin storage is a mixed bag, combining a two-tier glovebox with a small centre console and almost non-existent door pockets.
There's lots of room up front, but a quick glance at the plunging rear roofline will tell you all you need to know about the cramped rear seats. The extra space appears to have gone to the much larger trunk, which also benefits from 50/50 split-folding rear seats.
An optional, 400W digital sound system includes eight speakers and a subwoofer. With every automaker offering a premium audio upgrade, the most remarkable thing about this particular one is that it's designed by Fender, a well-known maker of guitars and amplifiers.
The panoramic sunroof is a worthwhile addition, particularly since it tilts and slides (unlike the in-place glass roofs found in some vehicles). If that's not enough, you'll have to wait for the upcoming convertible version of the Beetle.
Features-Ranging in price from $21,975 to $29,025, the Beetle is available in Comfortline, Highline, Premiere, Premiere+, and Sportline trims.
Standard equipment includes ABS, traction control, cruise control, air conditioning, heated front seats, tiltand-telescope steering, eight-speaker CD/MP3 stereo, and front/side/side-curtain airbags. Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include fog lamps, sunroof, trip computer, keyless access and start, Bluetooth, leather interior, sport suspension, GPS navigation, and the Fender audio system. Fuel efficiency for the base 2.5L engine with the five-speed manual is rated at 9.9L/100km in the city and 6.4L/100km on the highway.
Thumbs up-Brilliant exterior design; solid performance; excellent price.
Thumbs down-Minimal in-cabin storage; limited rear seat.
The bottom line-A worthy successor to an iconic car. Competitors:
. Honda CR-Z: The hybrid CR-Z retails for $23,490, and comes with a 1.5L inline-four and an electric motor that combine to produce peak power of 122-hp and 128 lb-ft of torque when attached to a six-speed manual. Borrowing its profile from the beloved CRX coupe sold in the '80s and '90s, the two-seat CR-Z won't win any drag races, but offers affordable and fuel-efficient transportation with a sporty attitude.
. MINI Cooper: The $23,950 MINI Cooper comes with a 1.6L inline-four with 121-hp and 114 lb-ft of torque, or a turbocharged version with either 181-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, or 208-hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. For the longest time, we've been limited to just the Mini Cooper and its convertible version. Now there's a coupe and a roadster, as well as the Clubman and Countryman models.
. Scion tC-Starting at $20,940, the tC is powered by a 2.5L inline-four with 180-hp and 173 lb-ft of torque, and equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The five-door xB gets the most attention, but the tC has done its fair share over the past decade, accounting for a significant portion of Scion's sales.
