Can They Rekindle The Magic? 2011 Beetle Details Emerge

Can They Rekindle The Magic? 2011 Beetle Details Emerge
Volkswagen's New Beetle never could have equaled the performance of its predecessor - the original Beetle sold 21.5 million units over fifty-eight years - but, in modern terms at least, its eleven-year run has been a long one. First introduced in 1998, the New Beetle initially met with great fanfare (in the United States, if not in Germany), but by 2009, sales dropped to an all-time low of fewer than 15,000 units in the U.S. So the marketing strategists have decided to pull the plug, effective this summer.

The car's sales, however, were still good enough to earn an encore. The new New Beetle is due to appear in spring 2011 and will, like its predecessor, be built in Puebla, Mexico. It will adopt suspension components from the last-generation Golf. U.S. buyers will choose from three familiar engines: a 2.5-liter five-cylinder (170 hp), a 2.0-liter turbo unit (200 hp), and a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel (140 hp). Transmission choices will include manuals and dual-clutch automatics with up to seven speeds.

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Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 2/15/2010 2:43:11 PM
+8 Boost
I saw an upside down beetle on the freeway two days ago. Which was weird because I always thought the shape would allow it to easily self right itself.


BMWRUBMWRU - 2/15/2010 6:01:42 PM
-8 Boost
LOL...good one.

BTW, MINI butt-rapes this POS in every way.


delandelan - 2/15/2010 9:50:53 PM
+7 Boost
That's disturbing. Plus everyone knows mini's a bottom!


dhkss2002dhkss2002 - 2/15/2010 2:59:39 PM
+2 Boost
^LOLZ


carguy68carguy68 - 2/15/2010 3:19:24 PM
+3 Boost
Well it is better looking than the POS that's out right now!

First comment was funny!!


t_bonet_bone - 2/15/2010 3:40:01 PM
+5 Boost
The current car isn't my cup of tea, but I think it is a design masterpiece.


WhelanWhelan - 2/15/2010 4:27:15 PM
+2 Boost
Considering the new Beetle lasted as long as it has is already surprising to me as they only give it minor freshen ups and the new tech that is out. Other than that it is fairly uninspiring. This gives it more life and a sorta Mini Cooper look. I wouldn't be surprised if it shares underpinnings with the upcoming Audi A1. A good move forward for the Beetle for sure but can they give us power to boot or will they treat it like an EOS and charge 30k for a 2. slow.


thstonethstone - 2/15/2010 5:05:04 PM
+2 Boost
With such an iconic following, you'd think that VW would milk this model like the cash cow it should be.


jspecrsxjspecrsx - 2/15/2010 5:45:27 PM
-1 Boost
Still Ugly alway will be.. not speaking of the Beetle from 20-40 yrs ago


Chaordic1Chaordic1 - 2/15/2010 6:42:00 PM
+3 Boost
I think that main reason New Beetle sales have dropped so much was that Volkswagen dropped both the gasoline turbo 4, with its excellent balance of performance and economy, and the diesel turbo 4 which appealed to people wanting high gas mileage.

The 2.5 liter 5 that has been the only engine offered in the New Beetle is a noisy unrefined gas-guzzler. (It's a lousy engine in the Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen Jetta, too.)

As long as it is offered with both the gasoline 2.0 liter turbo and the diesel 2.0 liter turbo I think sales will pick up. The restyle is a handsome updating of the original New Beetle that still pays respect to VW's heritage, but that's secondary to VW offering good engines in their products.


pcar4evrpcar4evr - 2/16/2010 5:57:15 AM
+3 Boost
You are so right, the first time I drove the Beetle with that 5 cylinder engine, I thought someone had thrown sand into the engine, or that we had bought a tractor by mistake, or they had put an old diesel in. And as the miles wore on, it got no better. What a crappy engine.


DaHarderDaHarder - 2/15/2010 8:23:41 PM
+2 Boost
So...

Will VW christen this model the Squished Beetle?


LexSucksLexSucks - 2/15/2010 8:44:08 PM
-1 Boost
looks like an Abarth


pcar4evrpcar4evr - 2/16/2010 5:54:35 AM
+3 Boost
The resident New Beetle expert in my family (wife - who has owned 3 of them) says the design is a big mistake. She wants her cute round Beetle back with the flower vase. This new New Beetle will turn off the loyalists with its design that is an attempt to get at least one male to buy it. As far as I'm concerned, I'm thrilled with the new Bug design, because now she thinks the only cute car left is the Mini S and that's her next car (yes!).


pennfootballpennfootball - 2/16/2010 10:48:45 AM
+1 Boost
Proudly built by Juan Zapeda Cornhulio de Taco Nacho Barrito durring his Siesta in Pueblo Mexico!! Si si das auto es Kaput!


XYZZXYZZ - 2/18/2010 5:59:17 AM
+1 Boost
no really so bad looking, EXCEPT for that STUPID stubby hoffy kink!

why does everyone with sporty pretensions think they HAVE TO include that QUIRKY styling kink, so some people may think it's related to bmw?
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