2012 Beetle Review

The new VW Beetle is in the spirit very close to the original Beetle arrived. In our testing shows the popular figure, he can.

The Beetle has made Europe more mobile and is one of the icons of the automotive industry. In the second approach, it is now VW managed to revive the spirit of the original Beetle and again provided him with lifestyle components as a new model position.

In shape and design of the Beetle is immediately recognizable as a bug, but just in a modern form. VW has taken a good path and positions the Beetle more lifestyle direction.

The concept of the beetle, which was revolutionary for its time, is now once already out of date now, so you must offer more than simply an old name with a new look.

Only two doors are many customers simply too little, provided it with its styling and coolness factor of the Beetle manages to sneak into the hearts of car enthusiasts.

The new Vw Beetle has a special attraction here, the twisted and the people on the street heads. There is hardly a car that attracts more attention to itself, even in the rather nondescript "platinum gray" - Metallic paint of our test cars.

The possible range of colors with no surprise that, as the Beetle would be safe even gaudy colors well, but one (quite dark) red and white but very muted colors to choose from.

Standard equipment on board will then have ESP, ABS, six airbags, Radio RCD 310, air conditioning, front armrest, trim exterior anodized aluminum, an air inlet grille with chrome trim, alloy wheels "Whirl", a leather steering wheel, cruise control, electric mirrors and electric front windows.

Our test vehicle spoiled additionally with automatic air conditioning "Climatronic", a navigation system, metallic paint, 17 "alloy wheels" rotor ", the Light and Sight package, a mobile phone preparation, multi-function display" Plus ", a multifunction leather steering wheel, winter package, and the Park Pilot System.

Just as the Beetle has the exterior styling is a skillful development of the first beetle, it also offers many interior elements that have an immediate recall of past beetle-times, but just again in a modern and stylish presentation. An example is the very steeply inclined dashboard with a glove compartment in the vehicle color or the big round speedometer, which is now flanked by two other ads mentioned.

You feel immediately at home in the Beetle, and the functionality is excellent. All buttons and functions are where you expect them, and the materials used have a very high standard.

The space is excellent in the front row for the rear passengers is limited by the spherical shape of a little tight. With 310 liters of luggage capacity of the new Beetle is not a loadmaster, for two people but should be enough space. After all, can be expanded by folding down the rear seats on the volume up to 905 liters.

Practical storage and the flair of the original Beetle round out the very positive impression of the interior even more.

Compared to its predecessors, the new Beetle can come up with a top sound insulation. Even at highway speeds is the 1.2-liter TSI engine inside to hear nothing, and the rolling and wind noise are very low.

For those who have no racing ambitions, also is the thrifty TSI petrol engine with 105 hp (77 kW) is a very good choice. It has never felt this to be underpowered, and the Beetle provides a decent amount of fun.

Its maximum torque of 175 Nm, the engine delivers 1550-4100 rev / min, which is available right at the start of growth spurt.

Subjectively, it felt even faster from 0 to 100 km / h as in the work promised by 10.9 seconds. The top speed is 180 km / h and should therefore be sufficient.

Inspire, the 427.8 cm long Beetle with its agile handling and good roadholding. The smooth power steering makes a very pleasant measure exactly the Beetle on curvy roads.

Well the engine is in harmony with the manual six-speed manual transmission, which is translated quite short. The recommended gear indicator reminds one very early the next higher gear. With the maximum torque available very early, it can be but so too are progressing fast.

A very positive aspect of this economical driving style shows then at the gas station. On average, one comes with quite a hardy driving behavior on fuel consumption of just 6.6 liters of gasoline. Who is not quite as rapidly accelerated, will be surely looking also at the factory promised 5.9 liters.

The 2012 VW Beetle spoiled with lots of details, which remind one of the original Beetle, but it offers comfort with technology and everything you expect from a modern car today. In combination with the 1.2 liter TSI, the Beetle is also very quick, but also economical to move.

Volkswagen Beetle Wallpaper

Volkswagen Beetle Wallpaper Galleries

The End OF Mexico’s VW Bug Cabs

Mexico and Volkswagen (VW) are strange bedfellows. Whether it’s pushing a VW Bus off an assembly line or building a classic VW Bug Type 1s up until 2003, Mexico and Mexico City love Volkswagen, especially as cabs. While it remains to be seen if 2012 will be the end of humanity, the year 2012 will be the end of the VW Beetle Taxicab of Mexico.

Mexico City’s Director of Taxi Services has declared that the VW Taxi Cab “has concluded its useful life.”

Mexico City is crowded, a population of more that 20 million people. This means a lot of vehicles on the roads and high pollution. With an effort to counter the pollution problem, Mexico City has laws on the books that say that no taxi can be older than eight years. With the latest Beetles being built in Mexico during the tail end of 2002 and production stopping in 2003, that eight year time limit has come and gone for the loved Beetle cabs filling the roads of Mexico. A two year time extension was put into effect in 2010 to give taxi drivers and companies a chance to update their fleets. Now that time extension has come to an end and no new time extension is in sight.

The overall impact of removing the Bugs from the streets of Mexico is not all that dramatic, over the years the number of VW Bug cabs in Mexico has dwindled. Currently there are around 3,500 of VW Bug cabs left in action, while most new public taxis are modern Renault-Based Nissan Platina or the second or third generation Nissan Sentras. We’ve always said that the greenest car is one that is already on the road, but after almost 80 years of production, the VW Beetle is long overdue for replacement.

VW Beetle production started in Mexico in the 1950s with Beetles put into service not only as taxicabs but as police squad cars, military vehicles, and utility vehicles. With the VW cabs Mexican run coming to a close in 2012 it truly is a testament to a classic, rugged, little car that is beloved the world over.

Source: Gas2.0

New entry-level engines for the Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen has expanded the range of engines for the Beetle with a 77 kW / 103 hp diesel engine (TDI) and a 118 kW / 158 hp (TSI) gasoline engine.

The 1.6 TDI Beetle offers fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (52 mpg US) equivalent to 119 g/km CO₂) and achieves a maximum speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). Fully fueled (55 liters), the Volkswagen thus has a theoretical driving range of 1,222 km (759 miles).

The 1.2 TSI (77 kW) is a charged gasoline direct-injection engine. Fuel consumption is 5.9 l/100 km (40 mpg US) or 137 g/km CO₂, with top speed of 180 km/h.

The top engine is currently a 2.0-liter TSI with 147 kW / 197 hp that has a combined fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (30.6 mpg US) equivalent to 179 g/km CO₂ and accelerates the Beetle to 223 km/h (139 mph).

The Beetle 1.2 TSI starts at €16,950 (US$22,200).

The Two Roads of Volkswagen – Diesel and Hybrid

On a bright shiny white stage were Volkswagen’s greenest presentations at the Chicago Auto Show – a Beetle TDI (diesel), and the Jetta Hybrid, in pure flat white. Both of them looked pretty good up there on their clean-looking display, and I almost didn’t miss that there was nothing completely electric.

The Hybrid Jetta Has Good Mileage, Looks Great

Volkswagen wants you to know that the Jetta can be driven on battery power alone up to 44mph, that it goes 0-60 in under 9 seconds (perfectly average, by the way), and that it gets 45mpg combined. It only goes about a mile, mile and a quarter, under battery power alone, but that does still get you to the nearest station (hopefully) if you run the tank bone-dry. No official word on emissions, though, carbon dioxide or otherwise.

The problem with the Jetta is the same problem that nearly every other automaker has with integrating an electric motor and its batteries – the trunk space suffers. Oh, how it suffers. There’s a giant shelf eating up much of the trunk space, and a tiny pass-through for when you’ve got skis or something. The seats do fold down, but the batteries take up so much space that whatever you’re transporting had better be fairly flat or it’s not going in there.

The Diesel Bug Is Manly!

We’ve talked about the problems with diesel here on Gas2, but the up side is that the Beetle TDI isn’t going to be burning a whole lot of it. VW wants you to know that it gets 29mpg city and 39mpg highway (much better than either the Beetle 2.5 or Beetle Turbo, but not the best diesel mileage out there), and that it’s “more masculine” than previous Bugs. No, really, that’s what the press release they handed us said. The press release was on a thumb drive shaped like a key, by the way, making it easily the most awesome hand-out at the show.

In addition to not burning too much diesel, VW is taking steps to reduce emissions; this diesel Beetle does have a particulate filter and three catalytic converters (for oxidation, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen sulfide). The engine then makes only 140HP for a 3,000 lb. car, but it should be pretty drivable.

VW also pointed out that even though the roof is flatter, there’s still space in the rear seat. I did not actually climb into the rear seat, but since it’s not a hybrid, there’s plenty of storage space once the seats fold down. Points for the diesel hatchback.

Final impressions on the VW green display – not bad, not bad, definitely worth a test drive (we weren’t allowed to drive these display cars either, so you’ll have no preconceptions there).

Source: Gas2.0

Alook at the Volkswagen Beetle TDI from the Chicago Auto Show

While Volkswagen didn't host a press conference to launch its new diesel Beetle, the carmaker put the 2013 Beetle TDI on display at the Chicago Auto Show in its first U.S. appearance.

It's really the return of a long-lost friend, since VW sold the previous-generation New Beetle with a 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine from its 1999 launch through the 2006 model year.

Stricter emission standards sidelined the TDI Beetle after that, but it's back in the new generation that debuted for 2012.

According to details released last week by Volkswagen, the 2013 VW Beetle TDI is projected to deliver EPA fuel-economy ratings of 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.

That will likely produce a combined rating of 32 or 33 mpg, though VW Jetta TDI owners will tell you that the EPA ratings consistently underestimate their real-world fuel efficiency.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, Chicago Auto Show, Feb 2012

The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel is rated at 140 horsepower and a generous 236 pound-feet of torque, so the Beetle TDI should deliver the usual low-end surge of power beloved by diesel drivers.

To refine the engine, VW has fitted balance shafts and crankshaft counterweights to smooth out the customary diesel rattle.

Buyers can opt for either a six-speed manual transmission or Volkswagen's "DSG" six-speed dual-clutch automatic manual transmission.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, Chicago Auto Show, Feb 2012

Special features on the new VW Beetle TDI include a unique design for the 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome accent strip along the side window line, and of course various TDI badges.

A secondary instrument pod, containing not only gauges for oil temperature and turbo boost, but also a digital stopwatch, is located on the top center panel of the 2013 Beetle TDI instrument panel, distinguishing it inside from lesser models.

Pricing for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI hasn't yet been announced, but the car will appear at VW dealers later this year.

Source: Green Car Reports

Introducing the Volkswagen E-Bugster Electric Vehicle Concept

It wouldn't be an auto show without concept cars, and the Detroit Auto Show this year has its share.

From Volkswagen comes a new take on a familiar shape: the Volkswagen E-Bugster, an all-electric two-seat coupe version of its iconic Beetle.

Volkswagen isn't unveiling the car until the show opens, but with sites violating the maker's embargo, we felt you deserved to see the car too.

First, the styling, which blends a flat windshield, a low roofline with shallow windows, and a close-coupled hardtop to create a sporty coupe body.

It's rather like the new 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe, although (to our eyes) a less jarring modification to the known shape.

Power for the concept car is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack and a 85-kilowatt (114-horsepower) electric motor driving the front wheels. The 695-pound battery pack is mounted under the rear seat and below the floor of the trunk.

The charging port is sited under the large VW emblem on the hood, a nice touch. It offers Level 1 and Level 2 charging and, for areas where it's available, DC quick charging as well.

Source: Green Car Reports

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Surprisingly, regardless of the model (non-US) crazy, RSI VR6 powered along by lifting the mid-cycle meeting, the hype surrounding the brand new Volkswagen Beetle would die down more than some previous years, and also the car is due to get a redesign. Right after all, it was still utilize PQ34 platform two generations old Golf IV, which will be on only in rising markets such as China.

In 12 many years, VW has constructed one.two million models with the New Beetle, using the U.S. becoming the single largest-and as a result most important-market. Not poor to get a compact automobile that began out as being a designer’s insane dream. Conceived in 1994 because the Idea one by J Mays and his group in VW's California style studio, it drew this kind of enthusiasm that Ferdinand Piëch made the decision to push to get a manufacturing model. In 1998, the brand new Beetle was released in the Detroit automobile display. Its boxy, yellow press package contained a flower vase, which was to turn out to be the trademark with the Beetle's inside. The automobile was as cheerful as VW's sellers, who lastly had a automobile delivered to their tons that they might promote for way more than sticker.

Volkswagen has made the decision to jump-start the trustworthy and do a 2nd version. Lovers with the cutesy compact can anticipate the completely new, redesigned New Beetle to become released subsequent spring and seem at sellers within the summer time of 2011 as being a 2012 model-the U.S. marketplace will probably be served initial. Beetle manufacturing will carry on to get location at VW's Puebla, Mexico, plant, alongside the 2011 Jetta.

In comparison with the outgoing design, the next-gen New Beetle sports activities considerably much more angular particulars, along with a supply that has observed the automobile describes it as "a sharper, more powerful, much more substantial automobile." The entrance finish attracts from your horizontal traces that characterize VW's present portfolio-without abandoning the trademark spherical headlights, needless to say. The aspect home windows are outlined, and also the rear finish appears much more effective than that with the present design. Nonetheless, the appear will probably be instantly recognizable.

Powertrains for this front-driver will arrive from VW's huge components bin, using the naturally aspirated, 115-hp, two.0-liter 4 most likely serving because the entry-level engine for that U.S. marketplace. Much more energy could arrive from your two.5-liter five-cylinder, but VW may also make the change towards the more compact but much more effective turbo- and supercharged one.4-liter TSI engine, which may make upwards of 170 hp, and also the turbocharged, 200- or 210-hp two.0-liter TSI from your GTI and GLI. This platform's prospects are nearly limitless: There might be an R model with some 270 hp, a return of a TDI design, all-wheel-drive versions, or perhaps a hybrid. Although the entry-level Beetle will most likely maintain its Aisin-designed automatic, the turbocharged designs will get VW's dual-clutch automated guide transmissions.

Even though engine options are nonetheless in flux, an extra physique fashion is really a certainty: a convertible will once more seem and is because of be released a yr or so right after the hatchback involves marketplace. Appear for that new New Beetle to debut in the New York automobile display subsequent April.