Volkswagen Beetle Reviews

During the 1960s and into the '70s the original VW Beetle was a major player in the Australian market. It was built here for most of that time and was often in the top three in the sales race; beaten only by Holden and Falcon. It grew increasingly out of date and was eventually replaced by the Volkswagen Golf. When the New Beetle arrived in Australia in 2000 many past VW owners looked at it with loving eyes and fond memories. Some bought New Beetles for themselves, though more often than not they were purchased for a lucky wife or daughter. Underneath the cute body of the New Beetle is a modified Volkswagen Golf platform, Golf components are also used in most of the mechanical areas of the car. New Beetle is a three-door hatchback, but is better regarded as a a coupe because the back seat isn't all that large. Luggage space is OK, but again it's more coupe than hatchback in its capacity.There's also a cabriolet version, launched in 2003, that adds a new dimension in fun to the New Beetle range. The roof is an old style soft-top that folds down in a somewhat untidy bulky fashion when compared to modern cabriolets. Somehow this doesn't matter in a retro car like this. Check out the big loss of rear vision during your own test drive.All but the shortest of drivers will find themselves closer to the back windscreen than the front. There's a huge dash panel that seemingly stretches forever in front of you and the windscreen pillars can confuse the view out. The front seats are comfortable and support well. The dashboard and instruments are typically VW in being logically laid out and easy to read. Handling is good for a hatchback, but doesn't really come into the sporting coupe class. A variety of four-cylinder engines is mounted in the front (not the back) of the new Beetle. Both petrol and diesel powerplants are offered. The petrol units have capacities of 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 litres, the diesel is a 2.0-litre unit. The 1.8 is turbocharged and is used in the Beetle Turbo. Performance from the 1.6 may be marginal for some tastes, the 2.0 is generally regarded as a better choice. The Beetle Turbo has decent performance but isn't really as sporty as it may appear. Because of its added weight the cabriolet uses only the 2.0-litre engine. The Beetle TDI diesel was introduced in 2005.Transmission is to the front wheels and is through either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic in most variants. The turbo-diesel comes only with a five-speed manual. The automatic from 2008 has six forward ratios so is a better bet if your budget can find the extra dollars.A car like the New Beetle just cries out to be optioned up in special editions and the marketing guys haven't disappointed. Examples are: Beetle Ikon, sold from 2002 until 2005; Beetle Miami (a hatchback, not the convertible the name suggests) from 2004; and the Beetle Sunshine, 2001 only. An interesting model called Black-Orange, with paints in those colours, was introduced in 2011 to help clear out the last of the old stock as sales had slowed in latter years.A new generation of the Beetle arrived here in early 2013. While it retains many cues the shape introduced way back in 1936, the new new Beetle is less feminine than the original New Beetle. The stylists even say there are elements of the American hotrod in the lines of the car. If you use a bit of imagination you might just see that for yourself, particularly in the extended, flatter roofline.The biggest and best changes in the 2013 Beetle are in the interior. There's no longer the feeling you're sitting in the back of the car and peering over a vast expanse of dashtop through a small windscreen. Interestingly, its semi-upright windscreen gives you better visibility than in many modern cars.At this stage the only powerplant in the front of the latest Beetle is the familiar Volkswagen 1.4-litre Twincharger. This engine uses a supercharger and turbocharger to provide strong torque. It runs beside a double-clutch automated manual gearbox (DSG in VW terms).Though the New Beetle has only sold in comparatively small numbers, it's backed by one of the world's largest car makers, many of its parts are borrowed directly from the Golf. This means spare parts and servicing are available in many places in Australia, not just in major cities. Body panels are likely to be the only holdup if you need them a long way from a major population centre. Spare parts are about average in price for an imported midrange car. You can do a fair bit of routine servicing of a New Beetle yourself. The underbonnet area is reasonably accessible and the layout restively simple,. Leave all the safety related items to the professionals.Insurance charges are higher than average for a three-door hatch, but acceptable for a coupe sold in rather limited numbers. If your are considering a Turbo check whether your insurance company charges high premiums to cover it.WHAT TO LOOK FORInteriors of Volkswagens generally stand up well, but some older cars that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from drying out of dashboard tops. Cracks are a real no-no as repairs can be pretty expensive.Check the interior of a New Beetle cabriolet carefully in case it has been caught in the rain with its top down. Get permission to lift the floor mats and move the seats out if you are suspicious. Engines should start quickly (even the turbo-diesel, as it has fast-acting glow plugs). Listen for odd engine noises, especially when the oil hasn't built up to its full pressure.Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is worked hard, particularly on long uphill slogs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn't baulk or crunch on fast downchanges. The clutch pedal should be reasonably light, even during these quick downchanges. Check that automatic transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't take too long to go into Drive or Reverse from Park or Neutral.Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Be aware that some sellers may swap tyres around to try and hide the wear. If in doubt, ask for professional help.CAR BUYING TIPNiche cars often lead gentle lives at the hands of loving owners. A fully maintained set of service books is an excellent indication this has occurred.

Confession time. I've always loved Beetles. Learned to drive in one and lavished thousands of dollars trying to turn one into a Porsche.

There's a melange of motifs in this little VeeWee. It bears the nameplates Beetle and Fender, the people's car and the original hard bodied electric guitar -- both modern versions of which are made at some remove from their respective places of origin.Its light-deflecting shade evokes both T-Model Ford industrial pragmatism and the preferred hue of rock 'n' roll T-shirts (and a few so-called “classic” rock albums). Primarily, the Beetle Fender Edition is a novel addition to second generation of the “new” Beetle range, one to raise a smile in a someone bitten by the black dog.VALUEA sticker of $34,490 puts the Fender neatly between entry level and top spec Beetles. It's a fair ask for a toy embellished by 18x8-inch alloys fashioned in the manner of the old Beetle's hubcaps, pearl black paint, chrome bits, Beetle and Fender badging, bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime driving lights.The chief feature is not visual but aural an eardrum bleeding 400 watt Fender Sound premium audio system with digital 10-channel amplifier, eight speakers and subwoofer. Though probably not best appreciated by someone whose idea of a decent sound system is his iPhone dock, this thing strikes even the cloth eared as a monument to clarity and power.Seven speed twin clutch auto (DSG) is the standard transmission. Options are satnav at $1,700 and sunroof at $2,500, which would serve mainly to consume the very decent headroom.TECHNOLOGYIt's more or less axiomatic that VW's tech of yesterday is most other brands' tomorrows. While the new Golf is built on a new modular platform, the latest Beetle comes off the surpassed Mark V/VI Golf's underpinnings. At the front end this includes extended electronic differential lock, the device which does so much to quell understeer on the GTI.Aft, however, is a different story and a reminder that the Beetle, like the Jetta, is built in Mexico. There's no multi-link rear suspension as per Australian Golfs, rather the simple torsion beam set up prevalent in the US-issue cars.And you care how much? In truth this is unlikely to cause hesitation in one drawn by what is an exercise in borderline kitsch. But it's not just you reading this, you know.Possibly of more interest is the twin charge engine, using both super- and turbo charging, also a memento of the previous Golf and driven via a seven speed DSG. This combo has of late been subject of much opprobrium and an ignominious recall. Again, though, we emphasise the most recent models to which this applied were built in 2011.DESIGNJust as the very notion of a “new” Beetle polarised the classicists and those who could care less about heritage but knew cute when they saw it, this version does so outside and in. As the man in Spinal Tap says: “It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black.” Or at least none other than black, the sole shade for the Fender Edition.Within it's hard (for me at least) not to love the sunburst dashboard fascia just like a Fender. The flat bottomed wheel is another GTI nod, handsomely set in the brown decorative stitching that also adorns the handbrake lever, gearshift, leather surrounded seats and carpet floor mats.To complete our impression of an interior design catalogue, three colour ambience lights glows through fluoro white, angry red and cool blue. Nice. But no auto headlight setting? In a $35K car? A classic 2+2, the rear seats are for parcels or infants or folded down to expand the diminutive cargo area into one capable of carrying a holiday's worth of luggage for two.SAFETYFive stars from Euro NCAP in which agency's testing the Beetle scored especially well on adult and child protection 92 and 90 per cent respectively). In the safety assist category, the trick diff and advanced anti-slip regulators scored it 86 per cent. In the pedestrian assessment it rated 56 per cent, surely of itself an encouragement for looking before you blunder onto the road, something that listening to music through earpieces does nothing to constrain.DRIVINGIt might suffice to say that a bloke hereabouts who drives an ancient original Beetle to work had a go in this and vowed to buy it. Of course, the former device was conceived as a doughty means of mobility for the working man's family; only belatedly did it come to be considered cool.When reinvented in the late '90s it was with no notion but the latter, a fashionable tote for the urban lady. That it sucked so abjectly in just about every respect, not least the dynamic, was apparently beside the point.The newest Beetle is every bit further advanced as the decade plus between the two generations should suggest. By no means a sports car, nor even particularly sporty, its light weight and sophisticated little engine keep it on the fun side of the ledger.After the characteristic but momentary hesitation of the twin clutch to engage, the supercharger delivers off the line torque deceptively quietly, the turbo coming on as the revs move into four figures per minute. It's every bit as powerful as a much larger naturally breathing engine, but so much more efficient and compact.Any thought that the latest Beetle might have been a poor man's Audi TT are banished simply by looking at it. The VW stands much taller, about average hatch height, and its body roll in hard cornering is considerable, as is grip from that those big rubber boots. Shifting the stick to Sport (no paddle shifters to play with and, really, who cares?) stirs a response that's good deal more vigorous than Drive, holding onto gears that bit longer.VERDICTWhat price is fun? The black Beetle is a bright spark amid the grimness of the daily grind.

Volkswagen has decided to have another crack at the iconic Beetle with a newer version of what came to be known as the "new" Beetle from about a decade ago.It's a bit confusing but all you need to know is the latest version is a totally new car - from the wheels up. Oh, and it's much better than the previous Beetle - in every respect.DESIGNA much more ‘grown up’ design, the latest bug has a flatter roofline and more assertive face and variant rear end. It looks more substantial than its predecessor.Where the previous model had a slightly kooky look to it with round bug-eye headlights and tail lights, this one is athletic and even sleek from some angles. Optional curving LED daytime running lights are striking.INSIDEThe interior is a better rendition too with its ‘50s style painted dash that looks really cool. No flower though... thank goodness.Beetle is up against the Mini (possibly other prestige light/small cars including the Hyundai Veloster Turbo) and both have quite narrow appeal due to their retro looks. You either like them or not.When compared with the Mini, the Beetle is much better value especially with its 118kW/240Nm four pot petrol engine. It also costs about $1600 less than the Mini Cooper.ENGINEIt's a high tech, direct injection, 1.4-litre device with a turbo and a supercharger helping efficiency. The numbers aren't impressive on paper but the car has plenty of pep - believe me.That's because it starts pumping hard from as low as 1500rpm translating into impressive throttle response if not rapid 0-100kmh times. It's rated at 8.3 seconds for the sprint.Any potential lag in acceleration is neatly dealt with by the complex but efficient twin charge system. Recommended fuel is 95RON Premium.EMISSIONSMore important is the EU5 emissions rating and relatively low 6.4-litres/100km fuel efficiency in the seven-speed DSG manumatic model we drove. It's an extra $2500 on the six speed manual's $29,990 price and well worth the money.EQUIPMENTThere's only one model available - generously equipped and with a couple of option packs - the right way to sell a car.Standard kit includes Bluetooth phone and audio, multi-function wheel, media device interface, dual zone climate control, cruise, remote access auto wipers and front and rear park assist. Standard wheels are 17-inch alloys with 18s and 19s available.We really like the look of the bug which is practical despite being a two door. Access to the rear pews is easy and the four seats comfortable. The interior is user friendly and spacious offering plenty of head and legroom along with a pleasing ambience.DRIVINGBuilt on the just superseded Golf 6 platform, the Beetle has its own distinctive feel to go with the new looks. The drive feel is sporty heightened by powerful brakes, diff lock, a firmish ride and direct steering. The DSG also adds an element of engagement you don't get with the manual but paddles are optional.It sounds pretty good with the characteristic VW exhaust pop on up changes. Out of VW's Mexico factory, the Beetle feels solid as a rock on the road and has the usual quality VW feel and look. The boot is a reasonable size.VERDICTLike it a lot. Good value, plenty of technology, toned down styling is welcome change. Shop it every day against Mini.

Where else to gain public opinions on the latest VW Beetle than at a place called Ferry Road Diner on the Gold Coast? It’s a well known meeting place on Friday nights for all things retro, mainly those on four wheels. The diner has a carpark the size of a drive-in movie theatre, that becomes an informal show’n’shine of classic metal.VALUEThe model range includes a 1.4 TSI five-door hatch in both DSG automatic and manual, valued at $32,490 and $29,990 respectively. There is also a special ‘Fender’ edition, with a custom exterior badge, a dash inspired by the Fender guitar manufacturer and a premium audio system. The Beetle Fender 1.4 TSI comes in DSG automatic, and is valued at $34,490.VW offer two option packages with the Beetle. One is a technology package that includes Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, keyless access, power folding external mirrors and low pressure tyre indicators.Our test Beetle was fitted with the sports package: 18-inch `Twister' alloy wheels, tinted side and rear windows, sports instruments on the dash centre and paddle gearshift paddles with the DSG.DESIGNWe rocked up in a new VeeDub Beetle, bright red in colour and sporting a great set of 18-inch twister alloy wheels. And found ourselves sharing parking space with thumping Chevys, A-Model Fords, an Excalibur, and a couple of Cadillacs. As about the only car under the age of 40 years, our Beetle stood out like a bright red sore thumb. It delighted us in getting more than its fair share of admirers.The next day we went to the supermarket and again the Beetle attracted plenty of lookers ... all of them smiling, with quite a few wanting to talk to us about the new shape.The first New Beetle looked cute and feminine. The new model (simply called the Beetle, the ‘New’ has gone) has a wider-stance lower roof and longer body that allowed designers to replace cute with curve. The roof extends further back and it's now a better proportioned car.The benefits include an increase in boot capacity from 209 litres up to 310 litres. Fold the seats down and it leaps to 910 litres. This is a coupe rather than a hatchback so is a car for singles or couples, not really being suited to family use.TECHNOLOGYVolkswagen Beetle for 2013 comes with one powertrain only at this stage. It’s a 1.4-litre Twin-charged petrol engine with 118 kW of power and 240Nm of torque. It comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a seven-speed DSG automatic at a $2500 premium. Our test car was the auto.It's a modest-performing car, though you wouldn't describe it as a slouch. The DSG can be a little slow and catchy at slow speeds as are many other double-clutch automated manuals.Anticipate other engines to come later, probably with powerplants borrowed from the yet to be announced VW Golf GTi.SAFETYThe 2013 Beetle has a five-star safety rating from Australasian NCAP thanks to standard stability program, four airbags and a tough laser-welded and galvanised body that has a high torsional rigidity. The car feels strong and solid in the Volkswagen tradition.DRIVINGTilt and reach steering is standard and we had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position - something that couldn't be said about the old New Beetle.Ride comfort is good on most surfaces and the slightly firm suspension provides the sort of handling that keen drivers will appreciate.The cabin will also bring a smile to most people's faces. The colour matches whatever exterior you select and in our test car that was bright red where it matters, on the doors and across the 1950's style dashboard. New VW Beetle has a large speedo in front of the driver in a separate binnacle. It’s easy to read at a slightest glance and revives memories of the old air-cooled cars.VERDICTA sports coupe it’s not, but the 2013 Beetle will be given the nod by all but full-on revheads.

They said it wouldn't last; that the VW New Beetle, launched in 1998, would be a flash in the automotive pan. Pundits predicted the revived Beetle would drag in a few lovers of the old air-cooled VW from the 1960s and ‘70s then quietly fade away.Twelve years, yes 12, it was finally discontinued to be replaced by this new New Beetle, although this time around Volkswagen has ditched the ‘New’ and it’s simply the Beetle, presumably flagging the fact that the model will be in the lineup indefinitely.VALUEIt’s priced from $29,990 and gets a large speedo in front of the driver in a separate binnacle. It’s easy to read at a slightest glance and revives memories of the old air-cooled cars.The new Beetle feature we like most of all is the painted dashboard and door tops, harking back to the mid years of the 1900s when this was the norm. The new Fiat 500 has the same interior idea and it’s worked brilliantly on that car for many years.DESIGN(Warning! politically incorrect remarks ahead!) While there’s no doubting the intention of the stylists to retain the shape that has been familiar since 1936, this new Beetle is less feminine than before. Whereas girls (of all ages) were the biggest buyers of the new Beetle, the 2013 version has plenty of masculinity in its beetle-like shape.Indeed, the head of the design team, Frank J Bruese who flew to Australia for the launch of his new baby, explained that there were elements of the American hotrod culture in the lines of the car. If you squint sideways and use a bit of imagination this may well be the case.The most telling feature of all is the large aero spoiler that sits at the bottom edge of the rear windscreen. I like it, then again I liked the shape of what was to become the New Beetle from the first time I saw it in concept form at various international motor shows during the mid ‘90s. Just as I loved the style of the three beetles I owned over seven years during the heyday of the original.The biggest and best changes in this third generation Volkswagen Beetle are in the interior. There’s no longer the feeling you’re sitting in the back of the car and peering over a vast expanse of dashtop through a small windscreen. While the driving position is still less than conventional that may well be a good thing because the semi-upright windscreen gives you better visibility than in many modern hatches and sedans.TECHNOLOGYAt this stage the only powerplant in the front of the Beetle is the familiar Volkswagen 1.4-litre Twincharger. This engine uses a supercharger and turbocharger to provide strong torque through a big slab of the rev range. With 240 Nm of torque all the way from 1500 to 450 revs we found the engine strong and willing at all times in day-to-day driving.DRIVINGYou wouldn't say the Beetle has the characteristic engine note of the old models, but there’s a modern note that does provide a bit of personality. The double-clutch automated manual gearbox (DSG in VW terms) we tested proved better than average for its type, with no fussiness at very low speeds.Hopefully the engineers have finally come to grips with this otherwise excellent type of automatic. Ride comfort is good on most surfaces and the slightly firm suspension provides the sort of handling that keen drivers will love. A sports coupe it’s not, but the 2013 Beetle will be given the nod by all but full-on revheads.Revheads will need to hold off for turbocharged all-wheel-drive models that surely can’t be too far down the track. Build quality is good, this VW Beetle is built in Mexico but it’s obvious the German head office is keeping a close eye on the output from that large plant that has been screwing together Volkswagens for many years now.VERDICTThere’s no doubting that the car is lower, heavier in the rear, more aggressive in the window cutouts and has a stronger stance on the road.

Who'd have thought Coke bottles and a Fender guitars would have a common link with Volkswagen? Well, like the car, the bottle and the guitar have what VW call `iconic styling' in that any of them would be instantly recognisable anywhere in the world.That link is so strong that there's even a Fender Edition in the line-up of VW's Beetle range. Not that it's a big range: just one model, a choice of transmission, a couple of option packs and that pearl-black Fender Edition.The Beetle, longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, is only the model's third-generation since the first 'people's car' was produced in 1938. Since then, more than 22 million have been let loose around the globe including one in Antarctica. VALUEThe new one is a sophisticated number reflecting a fine blend of modern and retro, and costs $29,990 with a six-speed manual shifter. The seven-speed DSG adds $2500 and the higher-spec (very) limited edition Fender is $34,490. The Beetle is a comprehensive package, with standard fare including remote entry, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, dual zone aircon, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, auto-on wipers, foglights and front and rear parking sensors.TECHNOLOGYThe longish nose hides a high-tech 1.4litre twin-cam four-cylinder with turbo and supercharging. It's a little powerhouse, whacking out 118kW and 240Nm, and it uses very little fuel. Official economy figures are 6.8litres/100km in manual and 6.4 with DSG. Other good bits are a differential lock, hill start assist and a good electro-assisted steering that firms up at speed and becomes feather-light when parking.DESIGNThe car has evolved to a more mature look, which makes it a standout in traffic. Optional half-moon LED daytime running lights also help.There's ample room for four, knock-down rear seats that increase cargo space from 310 to 905litres and a 1950s style dash finished in body colours. Three clear, round dials house the driver info and there's a multi-function leather-rim steering wheel, media device interface, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, eight speakers and an aux socket. And doubledeck gloveboxes. Fitment of the Mexican-built car is superb.SAFETYIt has a five-star safety rating and comes with airbags and a plethora of electronic driver aids.DRIVINGIt drives beautifully, its wide stance and big rubber boosting stability and comfort and it really enjoyed going walkies over the mountainous switchbacks of the D'Aguilar Range in Queensland. It's a smooth and eager performer, able to reach 100km/h from rest in 8.3seconds, and it just ambles along at 100km/h without raising a sweat.The DSG is the pick of the transmissions but there's no paddle shift unless you opt for one of the option packs. Cheeky, we thought.VERDICTA bug of the highest pedigree. With a Fender edition on its way, might things could go even better with a Coke version in following months?Fender editionOnly 200 Beetle Fenders, all with DSG, will be available in Australia, from June. They're all in black pearl, with 18-inch wheels and a rockin' 400W audio system. There are also Fender badges, LED daytime running and number plate lights, Bi-Xenon headlights, brown stitching on the black leather, adjustable ambience lighting and there's a big bass box in the boot. And the dash is finished in Sunburst, a two-tone wood, same as on some Fender Stratocasters.  

The Beetle is back – and it’s been squashed. Kind of. In an attempt to lose some of its cutesy looks and give it a more masculine appeal the new Beetle is longer, wider and lower than before.The roof is a little flatter, too, losing the perfect curve of the first two models. Yes, this is only the third-generation Beetle in 74 years, since the first “people’s car” rolled off the German production line in 1938.In modern-car terms the second-generation “New Beetle” was ancient by the time it was wound down after a 12-year run. Most cars are updated after five or six years these days. But now the new “New Beetle” is back after an 18-month hiatus.And it happens to be the most powerful Beetle ever sold in Australia, using the turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine also used to power the Polo GTI. The output of 118kW and 240Nm represents a massive 57 per cent increase in power and 62 per cent more torque compared with the previous model.ValueThe new “New Beetle” has a cheaper starting price than it launched with 13 years ago. In January 2000 it cost from $36,790 but subsequent models limboed to as low as $27,990 (2004 to 2008) before climbing to $29,200 (2009 to 2011).So at $29,990 the new one is actually slightly dearer than where it left off – but it gets more equipment and a much more powerful and efficient engine. In addition to the standard fare of six airbags, remote entry, and power windows and mirrors, Volkswagen has added cruise control, dual zone air-conditioning, alloy wheels and front and rear parking sensors.Options include leather trim ($3300), navigation ($2500), bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lamps ($2700), and a panorama glass sunroof ($1700). The seven-speed automatic (the first time VW’s dual-clutch gearbox has been fitted to the Beetle) adds $2500, bringing the starting price to $32,490.You can also officially give the car a name. Previous Beetles have been one of the few Volkswagens sold unbadged. The latest model gives owners the option to personalise their cars with a “Beetle” badge, or “Bug” or simply “Volkswagen”, sold through Volkswagen Accessories.A top-line, limited edition Fender model (named after the guitar and amplifier maker) with a cranking 400w sound system (with a sub-woofer in the boot and bigger and better speakers in the cabin) is $34,490 with automatic transmission.Volkswagen has also added the new “New Beetle” to its list of cars that come with fixed price servicing, following the Up city car late last year. Applied in 15,000km intervals, routine maintenance costs $375 each year for the first two years, $430 in the third year and a whopping $638 in the fourth year (although still not as expensive as some dealers have been charging for similar services on other VW models), before returning to $375 and $430 in the following 12-month intervals.DesignInstagram comes to life inside the new “New Beetle”. There’s no need to add any sepia filters after you do any “selfies” because the painted dashboard and the cool glovebox (which opens up, just like the original) takes you back in time any way.The new “New Beetle” is based on the underpinnings of the superseded Golf 6, which enabled Volkswagen to make it longer, wider and lower. It also means back seat occupants no longer sit under so much glass, more of their head is protected from the elements by a roof. But all up there is still only room for four occupants (two in the back, not three).The new “New Beetle” was designed in Germany but comes to us from Volkswagen’s factory in Mexico (as with the previous model). It’s also where the classic Beetle was made until 2003.SafetySix airbags, a five-star safety rating and a very strong body. Volkswagen had a figure with a lot of zeros in its description of how stiff the new body structure is. We presume this to mean the core of the car won’t bend much but the front and rear are designed to crumble to absorb the bulk of any impacts. Front and rear parking sensors are standard but a rear view camera is not available.DrivingThe new Beetle drives, well, just like a Golf. That shouldn’t be surprising given that it shares the underpinnings of the outgoing Golf.What impresses most, though, is how smooth and refined the Beetle has become. It’s a big step forward from the previous model; owners of classic Beetles will think they’ve become hard of hearing if they ever get into one of these.All cabin controls are well positioned and logical to use. It’s the type of German efficiency that made the original so loved around the world. Visibility all around is pretty good thanks to large windows and large convex side mirrors, although it’s disappointing that Volkswagen hasn’t made a rear camera available even as an option.The turbocharged and supercharged engine has plenty of zip and the DSG transmission works smoothly (unlike some earlier examples). The hill-hold function takes some of the gearbox’s hesitation away when moving off from rest. The steering is not too heavy, not too light.VerdictThe new Beetle brings a level of refinement and comfort that the hippie generation would probably appreciate at this point in their lives. Younger buyers will have never had it so good.

The new Beetle might look like the original 'People's Car' but in reality there's very little about the new car that can be traced back to the old model.NEW The engine is in the front of the new car, it is in the rear of the old one, the car's engine is water-cooled, the old one uses air for cooling, the new one is front-wheel drive, the old one is rear wheel drive. It goes on.The point is that you shouldn't be swayed by the spin that suggested the new Beetle is the old one reborn. It isn't.By all means buy it if you like the new car's cute looks, but be aware that what you are buying is a rather impractical Golf. When you boil it down the new Beetle is more a cute Golf than a new version of the old classic.It was launched here in 2000 initially as a single model with a 2.0-litre 85 kW engine with a heap of standard features that moved it up the model chain.Since then there has been a lower-spec 1.6-litre model, a turbo model, a diesel and a cabriolet. The 2.0-litre has decent torque giving it good response and driveability, the 1.6-litre is similar, the turbo offers the zing, while the diesel is the mileage buster.With its Golf underpinnings the Beetle is sure-footed and responsive, its ride is firm but comfortable, while it steers nicely and brakes with assurance.It is a thoroughly modern car with a retro look. Two doors necessarily limits a car's practicality when it comes to family use, getting in and out of the rear seats isn't something you want to do every day.And the rear seats are a little cramped. The boot isn't very big either, which just adds to its day-to-day limitations. Buying a 'Bug' of the new sort really comes down to image. If you want to feel funky, buy it, if you have to drive the kids to school go for something more practical.NOWBeing based on the Golf the Beetle suffers similar issues as its corporate cousin. The engines it used are sound and give little trouble, but take a look for oil leaks that might need addressing in the near term. Plastic engine fittings tend to get brittle and crumble over time.When it comes to transmissions, the Beetle didn't use the troublesome DSG gearbox, which means there aren't the same concerns as with other models in the VW range. Nevertheless thoroughly test-drive the automatic transmission and ensure it shifts smoothly and without hesitation. Early Beetles are now up around the 150,000 km mark on average and that's getting into   auto trouble territory. Like all European cars the brakes tend to wear quite quickly, so be prepared to replace pads and discs regularly. Faulty electronics are a regular complaint on all cars today, which makes it worth checking every system in the car to ensure they're operating as they should.SMITHY SAYS Oldtime looks make it stand out from the crowd, but under the skin it's all modern, if a little impractical for some.VW Beetle - 2000-2010Price new: $36,790 to $39,990Engines: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 75 kW/148 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 85kW/172Nm; 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, 110kW/210Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 77kW/250NmTransmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 8.2 L/100 km (1.6); 8.8 L/100 km (2.0), 8.2 L/100 km (1.8T); 5.5 L/100 km (TD)Body: 2-door hatch, 2-door cabrioletVariants: Base, Ikon, Miami, TDi, TurboSafety: 4-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a VW Golf GTi? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

When the New Beetle arrived, back in 1998, it elicited waves of nostalgia from Baby Boomers who had owned the old air-cooled Beetles, and loved what they had come to symbolise.At the time of the New Beetle's launch, it was exactly what they wanted—a vehicle that carried forward the iconic image but rolled on a modern front-wheel drive layout and packed plenty of comforts and conveniences.Unfortunately, that kind of intense, universal nostalgia only lasted a couple of years. After that—no matter what, it seemed—the New Beetle was a chick car. And the flower vase and soft contouring inside probably didn't help.Now for 2012, the Beetle is back, completely redesigned, and while it's still very much a niche car, it's one that a typical Australian male won't be embarrassed to drive. In fact, it's one that's quite enjoyable to drive.DESIGNYou might chuckle, but it takes only a passing glance to see that designers have tamped down the Beetle's feel-good, cute-and-cuddly side, instead focusing back to the original air-cooled Beetles and then bringing out the brawnier side of the Bug.It's roughly the same size, but all the lines are redrawn and the proportions are completely different. At first look, the new car looks a lot lower than the previous version.But the roofline is only a half-inch lower; it's the product of six inches of additional length and about three and a half inches more width.In short, this is not a tweaked version of the previous New Beetle. Volkswagen has gone back to the original air-cooled Beetle and penned a new New Beetle—only this time they're only calling it the Beetle.And it really does look a bit more like a sports car than before; we see just a little bit of Porsche 356 Speedster from some angles, and it definitely bears some likeness to the Audi TT Coupe.Throughout the exterior, we appreciate Volkswagen's use of glossy black as an accent in the Beetle Turbo—in the bold five-spoke wheels, the side mirrors, as well as in the roof, back window, and rear spoiler.And while the faux-running boards serve to rob the Beetle of some interior space, it's nice to see them also blacked out, and used as more of a unifying design cue.INTERIORInside, the same glossy black contrast is echoed in the upper door trim as well as in the steering wheel, but the execution isn't nearly as solid.The glossy carbon-fiber facing across the dash looked okay visually from some angles, but it felt unsatisfying in combination with the hard plastics of the rest of the dash.Additionally, the Beetle gets a sort of simplified, dumbed-down screen interface compared to what's offered in the GTI, and we noticed that the matte-plastic materials around the climate, nav, and audio controls seemed prone to showing greasy fingerprints.Thankfully though, in going to that upright layout, VW has gotten rid of the silly, vast expanse of plastic (the top of the dash) that would lay between the driver and the windshield in former New Beetle models.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONVolkswagen has rolled out what's probably the Beetle's manliest personality from the start—that's the Beetle Turbo model, with the 147kW/280Nm, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.That engine continues to churn out the torque at low rpms (except from standstill, where there's a measured pause to gather steam) and rev pretty responsively and smoothly up the rev range—with only a hint of lag.Volkswagen's usually excellent six-speed dual-clutch (DSG), automated manual gearbox responded decisively to full-throttle acceleration, but it felt less fleet-footed in transitions, and uncertain when we suddenly went halfway into the throttle.The shifter's Sport mode seemed to introduce different shift points but didn't remedy the indecision. In the end, we couldn't tell if the difference was due to the Beetle's seemingly tall gear ratios or because VW might have dialed the unit's software-driven controls more to the conservative side.DRIVINGThe Beetle handles like what it is—a heavy but sporty and well-tuned front-wheel-drive coupe. Crisp, quick-ratio steering provides a confident, responsive feel—especially through the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel—with a firm but absorbent enough ride to match.The only surprise comes when you really push the Beetle hard into a corner and its springs prove a little softer than you might have expected; but on the bright side, the Beetle has the GTI's more sophisticated multi-link rear setup.Even though the GTI's tune still feels somewhat sharper, the Beetle does well putting on a front in this respect. It's not all that fuel-efficient, though.Official fuel figures are equal to 7.7L/100km in combined driving, and we saw about 10.2L/100km over 225 kilometres of driving in mixed conditions ranging from short-trip stop-and-go to a couple of highway blasts to the suburbs and back.In all fairness, none of it included much steady-speed cruising. Efficiency-minded shoppers should hold out for the TDI Beetle and its more frugal diesel economy.The back seat is still very much a 2+2. At 6'-6”, I started to wedge myself back there and then aborted, realizing it simply wasn't going to happen. In front though, there's much to love about the Beetle.Its driving position feels a little more upright this time around, with a good view outward in most directions—although rearward visibility is still a little challenging at times.Seats are sized to fit the 99 percent, and they include mild bolstering that should keep skinny drivers in place but not get in the way for wider proportions. Cargo space is truly a weakness of the Beetle design. The body narrows at the back, and combined with wheel-well space it really pinches the space, width-wise.What's more, the enclosure for the available Fender premium sound system cuts further into the space so that you end up with a trunk that might not fit some large suitcases, in any direction.One touch that you're probably going to like is the Beetle Turbo's exhaust note; we can tell that VW has put some effort into giving it more of a pulsating sound like that of the old air-cooled cars. That, plus the additional upper glovebox, were enough to tease out some nostalgia for a former Super Beetle owner.Our test car also had a couple of persistent rattles—one having to do with the passenger-side door panel, the other possibly around the sound-system enclosure, which didn't seem to be fitting very well or tightly in that vehicle.As for the sound of the new Fender system itself, it's clear, punchy, and well-rounded—neither the muddy, bass-heavy system that VW had gone to with its Monsoon systems years ago nor the overly crisp systems of recent years.PRICINGThe 2012 Beetle starts at just $18,995 in the US — that's with the base five-cylinder engine, and we haven't yet driven this likely less-charming variant — but the test Beetle Turbo carried a bottom-line price of US$29,685.And it did include navigation, a large panoramic sunroof, full leather, heated front seats, alloy pedals, Bluetooth, and the Fender sound system.However, landed in Australia after extra import taxes and duties, the Volkswagen Beetle is expected to hit showroom floors with prices starting at $25,000 and heading up to about $42,000 for the top-spec version.VERDICTIs still that a bargain or not? What it really amounts to is how you see the Beetle. If its styling and features, and its different, more daring look is what you want—but it doesn't matter that you don't have a full-fledged sports car, or even a car with serious performance chops—then the Beetle might be right for you.On the other hand, we see a lot of really well done interiors on inexpensive cars, and $30k seems high for the quality of the Beetle Turbo's interior trims.The gist of it is that, with this car's better alignment with the GTI, the Beetle now feels more like the previous Audi TT from behind the wheel—a confident driving machine with a lot of design flare and attitude—than as an oddly laid-out vehicle that's living off the past.There's nothing embarrassing here, and the Beetle is straightforward and sporty; if a modern take on a classic design is your thing, there's no reason not to drive it and enjoy it.