Unlike its cuddly predecessor, this new-age Beetle is not a caricature of the classic “folks’ wagon”.
I remember a conversation with a friend who owned an air-cooled, rear-engined Volkswagen Beetle. He was waxing lyrical about what a timeless design masterpiece the Beetle is, that the Beetle boxer could outdo any beat box any day, and how it always delivers a spirited drive.
He even commented on the way it smells, how the mix of old metal with worn leather produces a heady scent that feels like home. He, clearly, had caught a Bug.
This is the effect the Volkswagen Beetle has on people, whether you’re in it or looking at it. This must explain why, when I got behind the wheel for my Beetle test drive in Berlin, the trees appeared greener, the pedestrians on the street looked like they had skipped right out of Mary Poppins, and other motorists on the road seemed to be all smiles as we covered the miles – all despite the gloomy weather that day.
Golf switches and devices are happily married with unique Beetle features such as the throwback glovebox and auxiliary instruments.
Right from the beginning, the Volkswagen Beetle was a symbol of the German dream. It propelled Germany’s economic miracle and made mobility affordable to the masses. It has indeed come a long way since the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to develop a “Volkswagen” (“people’s car” in German).
It rose from nameless runabout to automotive superstar – maybe even Hollywood megastar with numerous starring roles, the most familiar being as Herbie in The Love Bug.
In the Transformers comics, Autobot Bumblebee’s automobile incarnation is actually a Volkswagen Beetle, not a Chevy Camaro. So, what is the secret behind this endorphin-releasing magic Beetle potion that never fails to put a smile to your face?
Primary meters are arranged attractively, easy to read and enclosed by a lovely cowling.
The up-to-the-minute, third-generation Volkswagen Beetle is a tribute to the original, and this is immediately apparent in its exterior. The three semi-circle geometry that was synonymous with the outgoing Volkswagen Beetle has been replaced by entirely new proportions. Apart from being 84mm wider, 12mm lower and 152mm longer, the most obvious change is evident from its side profile.
The longer hood, steeply raked front windscreen and stretched roofline instantly remind us of the classic 1938 Volkswagen Beetle. In fact, their rear silhouettes can be considered almost identical and, in my opinion, even somewhat similar to the roof line of the 911 (which should come as no surprise considering Porsche’s hand in both models).
Huggy sport seats with adjustable lumbar support are available, along with funky leather upholstery.
As Volkswagen’s head of Group Design, Walter de Silva, puts it – the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle is “a car for big boys of every age and, of course, for strong women, too.” Its new look is indeed sportier and coupe-like, making it more dynamic and masculine in appearance compared to the second-generation, 1998 New Beetle, which many would agree was cuter (maybe too cute).
Volkswagen hinted at this dramatic design departure back in 2005 with the Ragster concept at the Detroit Motor Show. It suggested how the car could change from a bulbous form to a more “slammed-down” shape.
As it turns out, the “goggle-eyed” round headlamps remain, but the Volkswagen Beetle’s new face features a more chiselled jawline with straight bonnet edges, complemented by a front bumper and air intake that are more angular. The circular tail-lights have been replaced by elongated arcs shaped like horseshoes, incorporating straight, horizontal indicator lights at the bottom that accentuate the car’s newfound width.
Depending on the equipment line (basic “Beetle”, mid-range “Design” or top-spec “Sport”), your Volkswagen Beetle will come with different combinations of wheel designs and sizes (16-inch up to 19-inch), door handles, air inlets and side guard strips (in black, chrome or body colour).
You get 101 litres more boot space than before, and rear-seat passengers also now have more room to move.
A rear spoiler is standard on the 1.4 TSI and above. All these features further reinforce the Volkswagen Beetle’s newly athletic nature, while stylistic trademarks such as the flared fenders, large wheels and “thick” door sills serve as fond reminders of the original Beetle.
Inside the 21st century Bug are a number of other elements reminiscent of the first-gen vehicle, such as the oversized speedometer, the “Beetle bin” (an additional top-hinged glovebox integrated into the fascia) and assist straps mounted on the B-pillars, but these are decidedly modern rather than overly retro.
The cockpit can be customised from a wide range of colours, materials and gadgets to make it uniquely yours. The three versions (“Beetle”, “Design” and “Sport”) come with different exterior, interior and technical features. The package chosen will generally determine how many chrome bits you get, for instance, and whether the dash pad is black, body-colour or carbon-look, as well as “set” the ambient lighting.
Other options that will up the cool factor include bi-xenon headlamps complete with LED daytime running lights, a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, satellite navigation, keyless access, push-button ignition and even a Fender sound system.
Turbocharged 2-litre’s 200bhp and 280Nm make this Bug fly like a gentle GTI.
The special hi-fi is the first-ever collaboration between the legendary electric guitar maker and a European automaker. The Fender acoustics might not fill the void left by the departure of the classical boxer engine etude, but they are definitely the next best thing.
This latest Bug might lack the nostalgia factor of a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle, but the cabin makes you feel right at home all the same. Despite a generation gap of several decades and a more dizzying array of dials, displays and controls, everything is still as intuitive as before.
The first Volkswagen Beetle’s seating position is a little too low-slung and the second generation’s far-flung bonnet makes the driver feel like he is piloting the vehicle from the back seat, but everything is now ideal.
The adjustable seats offer just the right height, and the windscreen has been brought nearer to the driver by virtue of a steeper rake. The rim of the steering wheel is too slender for my liking, however. But the perfect justification for this is that the old Beetle has an even skinnier steering wheel.
The other slight disappointment is that the interior does not feel as coupe-like as its exterior would suggest, even with that lowered roof. But the good thing is that the 38mm reduction in height won’t be missed, for the Beetle feels as spacious as before. Rear headroom has actually been improved, thanks to that elongated roof arc.
The classic Volkswagen Beetle was economical, both in terms of production cost as well as fuel consumption. It also made vacation destinations accessible to common folk, who would load the entire brood into their trusty car.
The 2011 Volkswagen Beetle rediscovers these practical roots, which were somewhat forgotten by its 1998 predecessor. Luggage capacity has been increased from 209 litres to 310 litres, helped by the wider rear tracks and broader pass-through width. With the split rear seats folded, the Bug can swallow 905 litres of cargo.
It rides on a shortened Golf 6 platform, but boasts its own driving personality.
But the bugging question that remains is, how does the Bug handle itself? Getting behind the wheel of this modern Volkswagen Beetle is a less emotional affair than slipping into a vintage Beetle, but this is the 21st century after all.
With all the modern electronics and gimmicks available today, there is simply no place for outdated technology cloaked in retrospective charm.
The Volkswagen Beetle impresses when we put the most powerful 2-litre TSI through its paces in the heart of Berlin.
Beetle juice in this case gets extracted from the same turbocharged engine as the Golf GTI’s, but with 200bhp instead of 210bhp. The Beetle, by the way, has never been about brute power or sheer speed. Its winning formula has always been its dexterity, which makes it a nice drive in every scenario.
Bug and I manoeuvred our way through the labyrinth of “strasses” with absolute ease, never missing a beat even when encountering chaotic streets with cars, buses, trams, trucks, pedestrians, cyclists and Segways, or narrow lanes squeezed further by roadworks and parked vehicles. Steering is effortless yet precise, the suspension feels sure-footed and visibility is good in all directions.
Take the Volkswagen Beetle on a trip outside the urban jungle and it continues to behave itself along small country lanes, taking both sweeping bends and tight hairpin corners in its stride – thus epitomising what motoring enjoyment is about.
Oldest running example of classic Beetle meets its successor 73 years “later”.
Venture onto the autobahn, however, and the Beetle seems rather tentative. It feels slightly overwhelmed and a little out of its element, as if it is intimidated by the “big boys” out there. But prod the dual-clutch gearbox into S mode and it will swap petal for pedal power. The revs go higher, the torque feels more forthcoming and the Beetle goes into battle mode.
Besides the range-topping 2-litre 200bhp powerplant, there are also Twincharged 1.4-litre 160bhp and turbocharged 1.2-litre 105bhp units. (The smaller powerplants are hooked up to a 7-speed DSG.) All three engine options will be offered in Singapore come February 2012. The previous Beetle was sold here from 1999 to 2010, during which almost 1500 found homes.
The Beetle’s appeal is now more unisex, so big boys can drive it and still look straight.
While most cars are defined by their brand, market segment or specifications, the Volkswagen Beetle is simply the Beetle. The latest incarnation is where this classlessness meets timelessness, by bringing the old Bug bang into the new age. The formula has been remixed, but the motoring magic remains. It is still the same joyful motorcar that has touched the lives of people for over 70 years (13 of these as the New Beetle), albeit with a currently sportier get-up and slightly deviant edge.
Next time you’re feeling blue, skip the chocolate or the Prozac, and reach for your Volkswagen Beetle keys instead.
Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 (A)
ENGINE 1984cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 200bhp at 5100rpm
MAX TORQUE 280Nm at 1700-5000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 7.5 seconds
TOP SPEED 223km/h
CONSUMPTION 13km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced (ETA Singapore 2012 Q1)
Check out the Volkswagen Beetle
Group Test: New Volkwagen Beetle Cabriolet 1.2 vs Old Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet 2.0
