THE world is catching the bug again. Volkswagen has gone viral, rebounding with a new New Beetle that, despite a silhouette dating from pre-war Germany, is fresh and very unlike its predecessor.
It’s a changed car because it is aimed at all markets, all ages and more pertinent, at both sexes. VW says 66 per cent of previous Beetle buyers were female and now expects a 50:50 split. The outgoing New Beetle was successful, but very specifically in the US market. It was coolly received in Europe in comparison to the Mini.
What is new is that it is now much closer in engineering to the Golf. That immediately makes it a better drive
and allows VW to share components and so reduce
the price.
VALUE: Clearly, VW has Mini in its sights, but the Beetle also fires at Citroen’s DS3 and intrudes into premium Euro coupes such as those from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Given European pricing and that of rivals, the Beetle is likely to be $25,000 (1.2-litre) to $42,000 (2.0-litre GTI). The DS3 is about $35,000; the BMW 120i Coupe $53,000; and the Mini Cooper S about $50,000.
But — and it’s a big but — the Beetle is very well equipped (judging by Euro-spec models) and quality of the Mexican-built bubble is almost up to German standards. Letdowns include the dashboard of hard plastic.
DESIGN: Iconic. It’s a total change from the old New Beetle. It grows in length and wheelbase and width and track, but is lower and has a flatter roofline. Things reminiscent of the 20th Century Beetle are subtle but visible — protruding lower sills that look like running boards; big, round headlights (now the only VW with these); no discernible grille; and on the inside, a glovebox styled on the 1960s model (there are actually two gloveboxes) and a sling grip on the door pillars.
There is more room — four adults can fit and the boot is almost three times the size of the older model — and better access, including the now frameless glass on the doors and a wider hatch. The vase for the flower has gone but may return as an option.
TECHNOLOGY: It’s all Golf under the body, with a 50mm slice taken out of the platform. Components are shared across the VW brand and the VW Group. The front-wheel drive gets engines from 1.2-litre to the detuned GTI 2.0-litre turbo engine
with 147kW.
Carsguide only drove the 147kW with the six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Australia may get two petrols and one diesel and maybe miss out completely on a manual transmission. The rear suspension is tuned to the Beetle and is an upgraded version of the Golf unit. Steering is electric-hydraulic.
Crazy but despite all this, the most memorable feature is the subtle sound of the exhaust that has been artificially tuned — by way of a sound amplifier up against the firewall — to resemble the offbeat pulse of the old air-cooled engine.
SAFETY: Volkswagen claims a Euro-NCAP five-star crash rating, six airbags and stability and traction control, following the lead of the Golf.
DRIVING: The driving position immediately feels like the perfection of the Golf. Gone is the enormous distance from the driver to the windscreen of the outgoing model.
The controls fall to hand easier and the instruments and switches are better placed. The engine note is very quiet — better at cruising speed — and when off the throttle, that artificial air-cooled chuff-chuff becomes a muted backdrop. In 147kW guise it’s a quick car.
The six-speed DSG — not seven-speed — can be manually operated by the gearshift. Paddle shifters are optional. The most impressive change is the handling. The wide track — up 63mm at the front and 49mm at the rear — just grips the road so tightly that it feels glued to the bends.
Ride comfort tends to firm. The optional sports suspension felt equally competent through the corners as the standard set-up but choppier over mid-corner bumps.
Wheel choice is critical and the 18-inchers are probably the best for enthusiasts. City drivers wanting more comfort should go for the 17-inch wheels. Visibility is its weak point and park sensors are an advised option, unless they become standard spec.
VERDICT: TIt’s a hard car to fault because it sits in a market segment where buyers forgive function in the name of fashion. But pragmatic buyers may discard style and look at the Golf and see more flexibility and five-door convenience.
specs
PRICE: $25,000-$42,000 (est)
WARRANTY: 3 years/unlimited km
RESALE: 65 per cent (est)
SERVICE INTERVAL: 15,000km/12 months
SAFETY: 5-star Euro NCAP
ENGINE: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 147kW/280Nm
BODY: 3-door hatch
WEIGHT: 1364kg
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed DSG, front-wheel drive
THIRST: 7.7L/100km, 95 RON, 179g/km CO2
“A stronger third breath for an icon”
fast facts
* AUSTRALIA won’t get the Beetle until at least the first half of 2012. In fact, first estimates were late 2012 as China pulls rank. Final specifications and prices listed here are based on European models.
* Australians bought 8725 examples of the previous model, including the Cabrio, since its 2000 launch. It ended production in August but dealers still have stock. The new model is expected to eclipse that figure.
others to consider
Mini Cooper S
PRICE: $43,555
TRANS: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
BODY: 3-door hatch
THIRST: 6.3L/100km, 95 RON, C02 146g/km C02
“Unmistakable design. Fascinating interior. Terrific handling”
Citroen DS3 DSport
PRICE: $35,990
TRANS: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
BODY: 3-door hatch
THIRST: 6.7L/100km, 95 RON, 155g/km C02
“Smooth French operator is alluring but carries a couple of annoying traits”
TRANS: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
BODY: 2-door coupe
THIRST: 7.9L/100km, 95 RON, 189g/km C02
“Rear-drive works better in more powerful models”
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