AIMS: Beetle and Alltrack are VW's stars

Volkswagen displayed both form and function when it staged the local reveal of the third-generation Beetle and Passat Alltrack crossover at the Sydney motor show today.

The Beetle, which has been on sale overseas for more than a year and won’t be launched here until next February, will be offered with a 1.4-litre Twincharger petrol engine and the choice of six-speed manual or optional seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmissions.

Volkswagen Group Australia has announced no pricing for the three-door hatch, although it’s a fair bet it will be around the $30,000 mark, where its ‘New Beetle’ predecessor was positioned when the axe fell on it in late 2011.

However, VGA is admitting to a sub-$50,000 price for the Passat wagon-based Alltrack - launched this month - which comes with a 125 TDI four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine driving all four wheels via VW’s 4Motion system and a six-speed DSG.

VW claims an excellent 6.3L/100km fuel consumption average for Alltrack.

The pricing puts it in the same zone as the Subaru Outback diesel and the Skoda Octavia Scout, although the former only has a manual transmission and the latter is powered by a weaker 103kW engine.

At this stage no additional models are being mentioned for either Beetle or Alltrack ranges. So that means no turbo-diesel', additional turbo-petrol' or cabrio Beetle. However, its drivetrain combination is a fair step up from its predecessor, offering 118kW and 240Nm, compared to the old 1.6-litre petrol engine’s 75kW and 148Nm and choice of five-speed manual and four-speed auto.

However, the latest Beetle’s drivetrain combination is a fair step up from its predecessor, offering 118kW and 240Nm, compared to the old 1.6-litre petrol engine’s 75kW and 148Nm and its choice of five-speed manual and four-speed auto.

Based on a front-engine, front-wheel drive Golf architecture like its predecessor, the Beetle is one of those cars where every-panel-is-different but it looks the same.

One feature noted by VW is the new car’s rear-end, which has a very similar profile to the famed original, which sold more than 21 million examples between 1938 and 2003 (the New Beetle managed one million sales in 14 years).

Of course that’s about all they have in common as the original Beetle was an air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive econo-car. The latest Beetle is all about fashion and emotion.

With its ride height raised by 30m to 165mm, approach, departure and ramp-over angles mildly improved, its body extended by 110mm and some underbody protection and cladding added, the intentions of the Alltrack are obvious.

It does have an off-road function borrowed from the Touareg, which gives the ABS system a higher threshold for more effective gravel road braking, heightens the response of the electronic diff lock and traction control systems and activates hill descent assist.

Standard Alltrack equipment will include eight airbags, roof-rails, climate-control, fatigue detection, satellite-navigation, a powered tailgate and leather trim.

Head to www.motoring.com.au for full 2012 AIMS photo gallery from the Australian International Motor Show

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