The third generation of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle has been revealed to the public in China ahead of this week’s Shanghai Auto Show. Simply known as “The Beetle”, the car is the successor to the “New Beetle” which ran from 1999-2010 and was a modern update of a design icon.
Click here to view our gallery of the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle
The original Beetle was a tough act to follow: one of the most recognised cars of all time, immortalised in the “Herbie” movies, and the longest running most manufactured vehicle in the world. So while the cute retro styling of the New Beetle initially appealed, it suffered from electrical niggles, poor interior space and uninspiring engines.
After eleven years of the New Beetle, the German manufacturer has taken this incarnation in a sportier direction, drawing on design cues from the Beetle Ragster concept in 2005. In the press release Volkswagen was keen to point out “the latest generation moves away from the design of the New Beetle of 1998”. Can this Beetle succeed where its predecessor failed, and become a modern classic?
Longer, wider, lower
Based around three “semi-circles” with an upright appearance, the bubble car design of the previous Beetle was striking yet lacked sporting character. With a wider, lower and longer stance this new Volkswagen Beetle towcar is an entirely different proposition.
Volkswagen believes the flattening of the once-round Beetle gives it a more “masculine and aggressive appearance”. The roof now extends back further and the windscreen has been shifted back, allowing the rear section to resemble the original Beetle.
The New Beetle was criticised for poor interior packaging and this redesign has allowed for more interior space. Though families should be warned it’s strictly a four-seater with only 310 litres of boot space.
Fuel efficient engines
In the UK a choice of four engines will be initially offered, all of which offer an improvement for caravanners. Three of Volkswagen’s most popular petrol units are available which use the acclaimed Twincharger system. Combining a supercharger and a turbocharger to boost pressure, the system delivers greater torque for towing purposes as well as greater fuel consumption.
The 1.2 litre TSI has found favour in the Polo model, but our pick of the petrol models is the 1.4 TSI – a sweet-revving unit with impressive performance which is a bestseller in the Golf. Those seeking performance should be satisfied with the 2.0 TSI until Volkswagen announce the likely R model. It’s the one diesel model available which is best suited to our purpose – a 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion technology which gives truly impressive returns at the pumps and greater levels of torque. As such the already impressive range of Volkswagen towcars has been further strengthened with the arrival of the new Beetle.
