Still A Sissy Car? Volkswagen's New Beetle Caught In The Wild

Do you own one 009?

it looks better i can say that....it doesnt have that egg shape anymore...but im sure the Fast & the Furious crowd will find a way to make it look extra sporty

0to60 - Nah not a beetle. They are a little testosterone challenged for me. BUT I can see one stylized like a Porsche turbo being a draw.

To *me*, this car is moving further away from the iconic Beetle form, to something inspired by a Beetle. Who is the target customer, then? Someone who doesn't actually like the Beetle, but wants something that reminds him of one?

Actually this looks a lot more like the original that didn't have as much of a bubble roof as the New Beetle. This looks better from the front than the current generation, but not so good from other sides but that might be just from the mule add ons. Regardless it will sell well in the states.

It doesn't really look any different, it just looks like a large man sat on the roof in the factory and a designer decided to go with it.

To be fair, it could have been a large woman that sat on the car!

The VW bettle/bug/whatever is never going to be a "manly" car because it is not marketed, nor thought of by, the car buying public at large(pun intended).

I think the roofline (especially coming down the c-pillar to wheel arches) actually looks MORE like the original beetle. Is it a cool car? Not for me. Maybe for a teenage girl or middle-aged single woman trying to remain youthful. In general the car's styling is very effeminate.

"sissy car"? really? Have you not read the newspaper in the last two weeks? next time you see a guy driving one, just beat him up...you'll feel better.

If it was RWD, it would be pretty cool. If it was rear engine, rwd, it would be awesome. Heck, if it simply shared the drivetrain/suspension components with GTI it would be very good.

We all know there is a 0% chance that any future Bettle/bug will be RWD or rear engined. I think there's a good chance you'll see a version of the GTI powertrain in the car.

still a sissy car alright

I'm not sure where people are getting that it looks like a PT Cruiser.Actually on other sights they show a few more photos.One photo was a complete side view.When you look at that shot the car definately picks up some strong styling qus of the original Porsche 356 Coupe. Check out autoblog.com or edmonds inside line. In fact inside line shows a 356 as a comparison.The slope of the rear window and C pilar vent window is very 356 like. In my mind this is a good thing.With the right color and right wheels this thing could be even a trifel bit snazzy. Who knows. Bottom line though is how the thing drives and if the interior looks more aggressive.(Hopefully the've done away with the stupid flower). So advice to VW. Why don't you due a 3 guage pack like the original 356,give the car a slightly more vocal sounding engine in NA and turbo guise,suspension from the GTI but firmer. If you do that you just might have somthing here.

Frankencar.

We need an AWD version. How versatile is a 5cyl FWD Beetle. We need performance and tons of aftermarket goodies. Lets say like an affordable 4 seater Audi TT with a beetle body.

It appears the PC police have infiltrated the Autospies forum. What's with the all the hypersensitivity? Some types of cars appeal more to women in general, some appeal more to men. That's true whether it agrees with your imagined genderless utopia or not.

In fact, my neighbor has a red Beetle convertible with black polkadots and eyelash decals over the headlights so that it looks like a lady "bug". Anyone want to wager on the gender of "ladybug's" owner? Sportbike80? Hachee2001?

No matter how many horsepower, sport brake or body on it, the Beetle will always be a Chick car...! What Real man drive a Beetle? Unless his wife make him, than in that case he Not wearing the pant in the house.

Looks like a squashed beetle to me.

What a wasted opportunity by VW...visualize a hot 21st century beetle of your own design that you would want to buy ? Does it look anything like this picture ? Thought not ! Time for VW to listen to real enthusiasts who buy cars they like to drive for themselves, their wife and their kids.

I am still miffed that they never really brought over the beetle rsi. AWD, VR6...mad speed...from a beetle any ways.

This new one does have some design cues from the original bug...although that front end is just silly looking.

Sissy car? Do we really need more of this hate talk?

The car that has always inspired Porsche designers. Watch how they'll take ques from this one on the "next" generation.