Volkswagen Beetle 2006 News

Volkswagen is close to a final sign-off on the second generation of its New Beetle and the car, caught by Carparazzi, looks to have answered most of the complaints of about the born-again original. It has more space, more elegance, and is more faithful to the 1940s original - which survived into the 1980s - than the New Beetle. The original comeback car was nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf with a Beetle-ish body on top, a layout that gave a people mover-style driving position and almost no space in the back seat or boot. The next Beetle is coming in 2012 and the Caparazzi pictures show a test car with the production cabin layout, but with modified front and rear panels to give it some disguise. Carparazzi sources say the next Beetle will grow in length but will become lower than today's car.  It should also answer the call from the USA for more back-seat customers and more masculine appeal. Engine-wise, Carparazzi expects the German maker to carry-over the lineup found in the Jetta, including a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an optional 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, the 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine for those looking for sport, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel for those looking for a blend of longevity and fuel economy, and perhaps even a hybrid model as well. There is no news yet on a cabriolet conversion for a car that is almost certainly not going to be called the New New Beetle.

The last of the modern water-cooled front-drive ‘New Beetle’ is being celebrated with the unveiling of a ‘Final Edition’ version.  Just 3000 powder blue coupe and convertibles will be sold in North America. Already hundreds have been snapped up by collectors since it was announced at the recent Los Angeles motor show.  However, the quirky two-door will soldier on in Australia at least this year before the next-generation car arrives in Europe in 2011. Volkswagen is not revealing too much about the new car, except to say it will continue with the famous bug shape.  But it is expected to be lighter, roomier and more fuel efficient with a range of alternative powertrains, including a possibly hybrid version to complement VW's new-generation petrol and diesel engines. The 2011 Beetle is expected to share its underpinnings with the new Golf and should promise better handling car.  Although the design will be evolution of the Beetle look, Volkswagen HQ is known to be looking at broadening the car's appeal from its mostly female fan base. Volkswagen Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling, says the car has been very popular with female buyers locally.  More than 50 per cent of buyers are women under the age of 30. Gehling says the ‘Final Edition’ will only be available in America.  "But we do have some plans for limited edition models here," he says.Locally VW has introduced the limited-edition Miami version and 2008 anniversary editions, which proved popular with buyers. In the US VW even sold a hot pink ‘Barbie’ version to celebrate the doll's 50th anniversary last year.  "It's the type of car that lends itself to special editions," Gehling says. Gehling says although it has not been a big seller locally throughout its life, the company is happy with sales.  "It is not a volume product but it is consistent," he says.  The ‘New Beetle’ is based on the 1994 Detroit show car called Concept 1. When it finally hit production in 1998 the car ditched the original's air-cooled rear engine layout for a modern water-cooled front engine and front wheel drive based on the Golf.  Instead of being built in Germany too, the modern Beetle came out of Puebla, Mexico. Each special North American Bug gets ‘Final Edition’ badging, special steering wheel, sports suspension, 17-inch alloys and special paint schemes.  In the US the car is powered by a 112kW 2.5-litre in-line five-cylinder engine through a six-speed automatic.  The same engine is used in some VW commercial vehicles and Audis.New Beetle sales 2009 403 (+ cabrio)2008 790 (+ cabrio)2007 790 (+ cabrio)2006 778 (+cabrio)2005 1043 (+cabrio2004 611 (+cabrio2003 741 (+cabrio)2002 7542001 9062000 1328