New Beetle scuttles onto the world stage
Volkswagen announces phase II of the retro-look small car — and there's little carried over from the old New BeetleThe successor to Volkswagen's New Beetle made its global debut earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show wearing the markedly different look of the Ragster concept from 2005.
This week, Volkswagen issued press material for the new car, revealing that it will be introduced locally in three levels of trim, a base grade, the Design mid-range model and the Sport flagship.
The New Beetle Sport is expected to sell here with a 147kW TSI (direct-injected) four-cylinder, displacing 2.0 litres. In the press kit, Volkswagen mentioned two diesels and a North America-only 2.5-litre petrol engine (believed port-injected).
Of the two diesels, the 1.6-litre engine develops 77kW and returns a fuel consumption figure of 4.3L/100km in NEDC combined-cycle testing. The larger diesel displaces 2.0 litres and is rated at 7.1L/100km in American testing, which may not equate to Australia's ADR standard. The 1.6 is listed in the documentation as an engine for European markets, while the 2.0 is designated for North America. Whichever engine is chosen for Australia remains undisclosed.
Dimensions for the new model will be larger all round, with the New Beetle wider (up 84mm to 1808mm), longer (by 152mm to 4278mm) and lower (12mm to 1486mm). Added length allowed the designers to move the windscreen further aft and adjust the proportions of the rear section to match those of the original Beetle. Wider track and 22mm added length in the wheelbase have changed the proportions of the new vehicle for extra "muscular tension". Luggage capacity is claimed to be 905 litres, which is based on the rear seats being lowered, presumably.
Among features to be offered allegedly are keyless entry and starting, a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof and a Fender sound system.
In Europe and the US, Volkswagen will launch the New Beetle in two sporting versions, the Black Turbo and the White Turbo. A different tone of white will be applied to the White Turbo variants on either side of the Atlantic. Both variants will be based on the 147kW TSI Sport model.
Volkswagen Australia wouldn't be drawn on when the New Beetle will be launched here precisely, although a date of February next year or later seems most likely.
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