THERE'S SOMETHING about the Volkswagen Beetle — certainly the modern version which was first launched 14 years ago — which, I have to be honest, I've always found attractive and appealing. So, 73 years after the original was created in 1938 — since when 21.5 million Beetles have been sold worldwide — I'm in Berlin to test the all-new VERSION.
Right from the start you can see the new model — the three-door enters Scottish VW showrooms in the first quarter of next year with prices starting at £14,897— is significantly larger then the car it replaces.
Where the new Beetle shows a dramatic improvement over the outgoing car is in its level of grip. It hangs on brilliantly in corners and the improvement in grip is helped markedly by its wider track. VW's decision to also give the new Beetle larger wheels and tyres, thus increasing the contact area, has also benefitted the car.
But while it's bigger — length 4278mm (+152mm), width 1808mm (+84), wheelbase 2537mm (+22) — it's also lower, with the height reduced by 12mm to 1486mm. Track widths have also increased, by 63mm to 1578mm at the front and by 49 mm to 1544mm at the raer
Storage capacity for luggage has also been 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 105bhp with seven-speed DSG gearbox and a 1.4TSI 160bhp six-speed manual will be on offer. In the second-half of 2012, a manual version of the 1.2TSI 105bhp, a 2.0TSI 200bhp petrol and a 1.6TDI with 105bhp and BlueMotion will follow. The diesel will deliver 65.7mpg and emit just 114g/km of CO2.
There will be three trim levels — Beetle, Design and Sport — and all models have three doors and four seats. 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.
Penned by VW's group design chief Walter de Silva, and head of design Klaus Bischoff, the new Beetle is immediately identifiable by dint of its bold new exterior design. Right fom the very first glance, you’re aware more time and thought has gone into perfecting its appearance than with its predecessor. It looks far more solid, sporty and it's definitely a car for the current generation of young drivers.
The interior has also seen a major reworking. There's an unusually high dashboard which has been styled to replicate that of the original Beetle, and there's an old fashioned glovebox compartment in the fascia.
Right through the cabin VW's high standard of fitments and fittings are noticeable; everything is beautiful to touch and there's that well-established VW-family feel of solidity and robustness.
There's also more interior space and overall the new Beetle and generally the car benefits from its more contemporary underpinnings and a range of more powerful engines, including a top-of-the-line 197bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre. The previous Beetle was — and VW accept this — rather dominated by the female-buyer market. The company believes the more aggressive stance of the new car will attract a higher percentage of male buyers.
I drove the top-of-the-range 197bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol model (the lower-powered petrol and diesel models weren't available to drive) which was equipped with VW's optional six-speed DSG (dual shift) gearbox. Expect it to cost around £25k when it enters the showrooms. Worth pointing out here that it's essentially the same driveline which the sixth-generation Golf GTi uses … and we all know how good that package is.
The range-topper, as you would expect, was very quick off the mark. Volkswagen claims 0-62mph in 7.5sec or 0.6sec slower than the 44kg lighter Golf GTi. Top speed is 139mph.
Ride quality? To be honest, the MkVI Golf is better and the new Beetle's electro-mechanical steering lacks just a tad precision; but that's being hyper critical. Use the car for everyday journeys and you'll instantly be at home in the newcomer.
Where the new Beetle shows a dramatic improvement over the outgoing car is in its level of grip. It hangs on brilliantly in corners and the improvement in grip is helped markedly by its wider track. VW's decision to also give the new Beetle larger wheels and tyres, thus increasing the contact area, has also benefitted the car.
All-in-all the new Beetle is a vast improvement on the outgoing model; and so it should be, of course, given it's 14 years since the previous one hit the streets.
More surefooted, higher quality and better styling all combine to make the new Beetle a dynamic improvement on the old one. If someone pushed me hard to choose between the new Beetle and the current Golf, it would be a difficult choice.
Beetle v Golf? It's that old heart v. head conundrum; and in this case the head says 'Golf' and the heart says 'Beetle'. Really pushed — and as long as you don't expect it to be an all-round family car — I'd go for the Beetle. The decision will always come down to a lifestyle choice.
We walk round the all-new 2012 VW Beetle
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Jim McGill