THE world is catching
the bug again. Volkswagen has gone viral, rebounding with a new, new Beetle that despite a
silhouette as old as pre-war Germany, is fresh and very unlike its predecessor.
It's a changed car because it's aimed at all markets, all ages and more
pertinent, at both sexes. VW says 66 per cent of previous Beetle buyers were
female and now expects a 50:50 split as it appeals to more men.
The outgoing New
Beetle was successful, but very specifically in the US market. By comparison,
it was coolly received in Europe as it came under threat from the Mini. What is
new is that it is much closer in engineering to the Golf. That immediately
makes it a better drive (see Driving below) but also allows Volkswagen to share
components and therefore reduce the price.
VALUE
Clearly Volkswagen has
Mini in its sights, but the Beetle also fires at Citroen's DS3 and intrudes
into premium Euro coupes such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Based on the
European pricing and that of rivals, the Beetle is likely to be priced from
$25,000 (1.2-litre) to $42,000 (2-litre GTI). The DS3 is about $35,000; the BMW
120i Coupe at $53,000; and the Mini Cooper S at about $50,000. But - and it's a
big but - the Beetle is very well equipped (again, I've based this on Euro-spec
models) and quality of the Mexican-built bubble is almost up to German
standards. Let downs include the dashboard of hard plastic.
DESIGN
Iconic. It's a total change
from the New Beetle. It grows in length and wheelbase and width and track, but
is lower and has a flatter roofline. Things reminiscent of the 20th Century
Beetle are subtle but visible - the protruding lower sills that look like
running boards; big, round headlights (now the only VW with these); no
discernible grille; and on the inside, a glovebox styled on the 1960s model
(there are actually two gloveboxes) and a sling grip on the B-pillars.