Volkswagen Beetle 2007 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

Just a week after US President George W. Bush told a Sydney media conference about how battery cars that didn't look like golf carts were being developed, the real things were displayed at the world's largest motoring show.General Motors showed off its Flextreme from its European subsidiary Opel. It's a small commuter car with an electric-diesel hybrid that can travel 55km on a single charge before switching to fuel. It is a concept car, meaning it may or may not go into production.Volvo will also unveil its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the Recharge and based on its C30 hatchback, it uses four separate electric motors to power each wheel, augmenting a 1.6-litre four-cylinder Flexifuel engine.Meanwhile, Volvo said a fully charged model can travel about 100km before it needs to be recharged. And it is not a slug. It can reach 0-100km/h in nine seconds on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.VW is claiming fuel consumption of as little as three litres per 100km for its spiritual successor to the original people's car, the Beetle.The Up concept is a miniature four-seat city car powered by a rear-mounted two or three cylinder engine,  the first rear-engined car VW has made since the original Beetle. VW said the car would be low-priced and a fuel miser. It has claimed 3.5litres/100km with a target of reducing that to less than 3litres/100 km.That's better than Australia's current best the Toyota Prius hybrid at 4.4litres/100km, the Citroen C4 diesel at 4.5litres/100km and the Honda Civic Hybrid at 4.6litres/100km.It is also better than the new-age Fiat 500, which will have a diesel model with a claimed consumption of 4.2litres/100km and the next generation Smart car.VW boss Dr Martin Winterkorn said: “This is VW reinventing the Volkswagen. It is what the brand stands for — mobility for everyone.”Dr Winterkorn said show visitors' reaction to the car would decide whether the Up goes into full production.Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Jutta Dierks said: “If the philosophy stays the same as it was for the original Beetle, to be a car affordable to everyone, then it will certainly be a good fit into our market.” Volkswagen Up2 or 3-cylinder engine Fuel economy of 3.5l per 100km.Available in 2011.GM FiextremeElectric-diesel hybrid.Can travel 55km on battery power before switching over to diesel fuel. Volvo RechargeFour electric motors plus a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.Can travel 100km on battery power before re-charge needed.Top speed of 160km/h. 

The world's biggest motor show is weeks away, yet the car companies are already scrambling over each other to release clues about their exhibits.Among the highlights of the 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show are cars made out of bamboo, a boxer diesel engine and yet more “urban crossover SUVs.”Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its Concept-cX compact SUV at the show.Concept-cX uses interior trim materials made from bamboo and other plant-based resins.The concept is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8 litre diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter, and Mitsubishi's new twin clutch sport shift transmission.Dodge will also launch a crossover wagon, called Crew, which hits Australia late next year.The seven-seater is based on the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedan platform but with all-wheel drive and powered by 2.4-litre petrol and 2-litre turbo-diesel engines.The Crew looks like a shrunken Chrysler Voyager people mover, but with a longer nose and higher ground clearance.It will be built at Chrysler's Toluca plant in Mexico with production due to start in December.Subaru will use the show for its biggest new model blitz yet.Leading the line-up will be the new Impreza five-door hatchback in its 1.5 and 2 litre naturally aspirated formats, which arrives in Australia the same month.Other Subarus on show include an Impreza-based World Rally Car Concept, facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV with more efficient 3.6-litre boxer engine and five-speed auto, new Justy one-litre supermini and the world's first horizontally opposed boxer turbo-diesel engine, due to be progressively installed in models from early in 2008.Mazda will debut its Mazda6, the second Mazda new generation product to evolve to the next stage following the new Mazda2.Although Australia is yet to see the Kia cee'd five-door, the Korean company will debut its new sporty three-door Pro-cee'd, the third model in the family of cars designed for Europe and made in Slovakia.Only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five-door model.Volkswagen will revive the 'people's car' with a concept Beetle.It is called the City Expert because The Beetle name has been taken by the more expensive new-generation car.The City Expert goes back to Beetle roots with a rear-mounted, flat-four boxer engine and a cheap price tag.VW will also reveal six new models with BlueMotion diesel technology, including the new Golf BlueMotion claiming economy of 4.5 litres/100km down 0.6-litres from the previous model, and CO2 emissions down 16g/km to 119g/km.Range on a 55-litre tank is now more than 1200km.Peugeot's 308RCZ concept will give a big hint towards a future body style for the 308 family.The ultra-light 2+2 coupe uses aluminium, polycarbonate windows and carbon fibre body parts and is powered by a 160kW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo jointly developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW.Renault will show a wagon version of its Clio mini.The Clio Sport Tourer will go on sale in Europe early next year.Mini is also on the bandwagon with the return of the Clubman van.The five-door model has double rear doors and a suicide door on the driver's side.The suicide door, which opens the opposite way, is designed to allow passengers easier access to the back.It would make more sense on the other side, but clearly the former British car now owned by BMW is designed for left-hand-drive markets with the blinkers also on the left.Ford will show its Kuga crossover all-wheel-drive probably powered by a range of petrol and turbodiesel engines, including the 2-litre 100kW/320Nm TDCi that has just appeared in the Focus.The Kuga is based on the Iosis X concept unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show.In a surprise move, Suzuki will show it's expanding from small cars and SUVs into the family market.Their Kizashi family car looks mean with a massive black grille, sloping lamp clusters and low-level fog lamps.Also looking mean is Saab's 9-3 Turbo X which will rekindle the spirit of the 1980s Saab 900 Black Turbo.It will feature Cross-Wheel Drive allowing torque to be split to either side of the rear axle via an electronically limited slip differential, based on information from the stability and traction control systems.However, the show-stealer is likely to be seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher when he unveils the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a lighter and faster development of the existing 430 coupe and convertible.Power is up to 380kW, weight is down 100kg and the F1 transmission has new software that cuts shift times to 60 milliseconds. 

Two contenders have been erased from the list of price-driven starter cars for Volkswagen in Australia.The German brand is desperate to get a value champion to sit below the $16,990 Polo, but has just eliminated the European Fox and a new concept car that will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor show next month.Volkswagen Group Australia says it also has no plan to use a car from Skoda, its new Czech value line, to run the role.“What we need in this area is a normal car that is not expensive. Basic transport,” Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Jutta Dierks says.Dierks says the Fox, which is priced right in Europe, will not work for Australia.“We are not after a small Fox. It does not have an automatic transmission and it's too small,” she says.“We would like a nice car that's value for money, with five doors. That's probably what we are missing from the whole Asia-Pacific region. I hope we are moving in that direction, but it's not confirmed.”Dierks is already ruling out the Volkswagen concept, called the City Expert, even though it looks ideal.VW says “the heart . . . will beat where the flat-four `boxer' engine once did in the Beetle.”That points to a compact urban runabout with a rear engine, but no other details will be available until the Frankfurt show, though VW does say the car is its response to the motto for this year's show: “See what's driving tomorrow”.And what is the potential for the City Expert in Australia?“It would be pure speculation. We have discussed it for years and it does not exist so far, not to my knowledge. Hopefully someone is working on this,” Dierks says.Which brings the starter-car plan back to Skoda, which is working on a deal to bring the new Fabia hatch to Australia later next year. But Dierks says it cannot fill the sub-Polo place.“The car we are talking about is something really different. But basic transportation in this country does not mean two people,” she says. 

When we think of Volkswagen history two vehicles come to mind: the enduring Beetle and of course the ubiquitous Kombi.At the recent Klubfest held at Parklands on the the Gold Coast, it was fascinating to see how many incarnations VW has had over the years Beetles, Karman Ghias, Kombis as campers, utes, twin cab utes, people movers, vans, beach or dune buggies, sedans, three wheeled bikes.VW engines have been fitted to just about everything from two wheels to four.Tucked away on its own at the show organised by the VW Club and the Kombi Club, was one Australian-designed and built VW that was rare when it was produced, let alone more than 40 years on.It was the Australian Country Buggy, just 887 units were built and sold in Australia.Put politely, the buggy was not the most handsome car produced here, or anywhere else.It was designed and built at VW's Clayton plant in suburban Melbourne with the first prototype hitting the testing phase in 1965 ahead of a release in 1967.As its name indicates, the buggy was intended for rural use but not the extreme stuff where a 4WD would still be required.In that sense it was probably the equivalent of the current day `soft roader' style vehicles.But, anyone who has had anything to do with light-bodied VWs knows they are highly competent off-roaders, with all the engine weight over the rear wheels, good ground clearance and excellent entry and departure angles.It's worth mentioning that in the 1950s VW Beetles won the Redex Trial, three Mobilgas trials and and Ampol trial, and also took out most of the top places.That was in an era when Highway Number One was little more than a goat track with more than 100 river crossings.There's little doubt the Australian Country Buggy had its roots in this success, and also as a flow-on from the Volkswagen Kubelwagen, a military-style Beetle used by both the Wehrmacht and the SS.The Aussie buggy was a much smaller vehicle having just two doors while the above mentioned vehicles had four doors. It was powered by VW's proven 1285cc (1300) four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, although a 1192cc (1200) engine was also available.The car was, by any measure, spartan when it came to instruments or comfort.Options included the smaller engine, a soft top and side curtains and winter tread tyres. There was no standard or optional heater.The first commercial buggy made its public appearance at the 1967 Melbourne Motor Show.At the time the little buggy was described as a cross between a Jeep and a Moke the unkind described it as a Joke.The little vehicle was far from a joke, but its demise just eight months after release was cruel.VW sales were on the decline and in 1968 VW was in turmoil.The buggy's timing could not have been worse. As the company looked for answers, one easy target was the Country Buggy.Newspaper ads from that time provide an insight into VW's marketing: “If you think the Beetle is ugly ... take a look at this one. VW Country Buggy. The uglier Volkswagen built for rugged dirty work.”Couldn't have said it better myself. 

Nine stars of the Melbourne International Motor Show took a quick spin from City Hall to Federation Square to rev the city up for tomorrow evening's big opening at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.Led by a beefy Chrysler 300C police car, about $2 million worth of auto exotica cruised down Swanston St.Lord Mayor John So rode James Bond-style in a $360,000 Aston Martin DB9 Volante convertible.Immediately behind him was a Bentley Continental GTC convertible worth $400,000, but even that was trumped moments later by a Ferrari 599 GTB, costing $600,000.Others in the column included a Maserati Quattroporte, the new convertibles from Volkswagen and Volvo, and a top-of-the-range Lexus LS460.Most unusual was the Bonning B3 three-wheeler, the personal project of designer and artist Brad Bonning.But there would be plenty more to see at the show itself, said the extravaganza's director, Russ Tyrie."That's just to give people a taste of what they will see on Friday," Mr Tyrie said."The parade is a great way to bring the show to Melbourne and to give people an idea of what an exciting and dynamic thing the car industry is."The covers will come off quite a few new cars at the show."With some of them it's going to be as much a surprise to us as it will to everyone else."