A victim of the fad that saw cars like the Mini Cooper and Chrysler PT Cruiser shoot to fame, Volkswagen’s Beetle has undergone serious surgery to remain in the retro game…
A victim of the fad that saw cars like the Mini Cooper and Chrysler PT Cruiser shoot to fame, Volkswagen’s Beetle has undergone serious surgery to remain in the retro game…
When Volkswagen released its new Beetle in the late 90s, its cute dimensions and anachronistic curves were an instant hit with the trend-setting crowd. The fad has long since worn off, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any obvious changes with the car’s update.
A new 2,5-litre five-cylinder engine, producing 112 kW, will power the latest version to 100 km/h in about eight seconds. The sprightly engine is mated with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The car’s US product strategist, David Koth, said the goal was to give the car a “little more edge”.
Exterior styling changes are subtle and include “sharper” bodylines, new, more oval headlights, bigger taillights and fresh bumpers. It also has the new honeycomb mesh grille seen on the new range of products.
Inside the car receives a new instrument cluster and air vents, both with chrome accents.
Koth also told that no final decision had been made about the car’s production life, despite rumours of the Beetle’s imminent demise.
The new Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet models will be unveiled in the US in September as part of the subsidiary’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
VWSA’s media representative could not be reached for details about the car’s local availability.
