Topic: First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle

[hemusbull]

Wow, I do think kevlar is painfully right - germans "completely missed the purpose of the original car". I just want to add they have identity crisis with the icon relic. Mini, for example, went much ahead in the time building cars with prpose to be attractive for particular customers. And they continue to derive new versions of their iconic Mini. The same now happens with Fiat and their 500. With no irect parallel, I can say Camaro is another example how to exploit own car history.

[nlm]

Wow, I do think kevlar is painfully right - germans "completely missed the purpose of the original car". I just want to add they have identity crisis with the icon relic. Mini, for example, went much ahead in the time building cars with prpose to be attractive for particular customers. And they continue to derive new versions of their iconic Mini. The same now happens with Fiat and their 500. With no irect parallel, I can say Camaro is another example how to exploit own car history.

$$$ talks.  All of the above have a nostalgic appeal to the boomer generation, that large population bulb whom have more disposable income now than when the originals were out.  These cars are homeruns for this demographic because they hit an emotional chord but offer a more refined ride than their predecessors. 

I like the MK2 design better than the previous as well - can't wait to see one with a proper Herby racing stripe and number - you know VW will play and price that one up big time!

[opg210]

I agree with a lot of posters here, another missed opportunity.

Wing, you wondered about a lack of comments. Other than the website not working, maybe a lot of people look at this and go "who cares?" I for one am waiting for some car company to step up and create a legend - if we could 10 or 20 years ago, why not now? Sure, things have gotten heavier and more sanitized, but hasn't technology improved as well?

Original VW GTI. Original CRX. Miata. BMW 2002tii. All legends. Why can't someone create that spark again? I know those cars are from a different era, but there are ways to make light, sporting machines that don't need a ton of power to be fun. Steering feel, for example, my biggest pet peeve in current autodom - what's so hard or expensive about that? Yet it can make a relatively average car feel wonderful to drive.

Until someone makes an effort to do that, I look at this retro-styled thing and couldn't be bothered to cross the street. It will be very nice, I'm sure, but not memorable. Just another automotive appliance.

opg210

[tpl]

The cars you want opg210 do exist but they are not sold in NA.   Polo GTI, for example. Renault makes hot versions of some of its small cars and so on.  The UK market still has real 2 seater sports cars such as the Caterham and of course a myriad of pre-loved Lotuses.

[2JDM]

The cars you want opg210 do exist but they are not sold in NA.   Polo GTI, for example. Renault makes hot versions of some of its small cars and so on.  The UK market still has real 2 seater sports cars such as the Caterham and of course a myriad of pre-loved Lotuses.

Also, there is alot of weight gain with the additional safety standards and equipment that is required these days.

[greengs]

And I do wish VW would put a bullet in that agricultural old 2.5l 5-pot already.

Jaeger

what, you don't like a tractor engine in your car?

At least it's been matted to a 6 speed auto since 2006.   

[WRX_Pilot]

I like it.  Looks almost porsche-like from the rear.  Sign me up for a diesel with a stick.

[whaddaiknow]

I agree with a lot of posters here, another missed opportunity.

Wing, you wondered about a lack of comments. Other than the website not working, maybe a lot of people look at this and go "who cares?" I for one am waiting for some car company to step up and create a legend - if we could 10 or 20 years ago, why not now? Sure, things have gotten heavier and more sanitized, but hasn't technology improved as well?

+1. Saw the article, skimmed through it. Not impressed. On to the next one. The new New beetle doesn't strike me as a legend and it possesses none of the characteristics to become one. Yeah, it's bigger so two more girls can fit in the back. And?

[D70]

Perhaps given the articles direction the "New" in the title should be in lower case

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4911484003/

[Winterpeg]

Well I like the direction this "new", "old", "new-old", "old-new", (.....awww stop already!!!!) design expanded to.
Bigger in most important areas.....alot less a "chick" car.......my apolygies to Minou....would you agree eh?!?   

[Erik]

Wow. Rough audience!
The original Beetle design won't work as a modern people's car. The Mini made it's layout obsolete about 50 years ago. Plus, between the Golf and the Polo, VW already has the Beetle replacement in production.

While this is not really a car for me, and yes I did own a 67 Beetle, I can see the point of this as a fun, stylish economy car, that is not just another little hatchback. So it isn't practical. Who cares? Some people just want a car they enjoy.

I do like the looks a whole lot more the the first gen!

[2JDM]

Perhaps given the articles direction the "New" in the title should be in lower case

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4911484003/

  

[2latecrew]

Looks better than the last generation but there is nothing about this that would make me pick it over even a 2 dr GTI let alone 4 door. Is the centre of gravity lower or higher than the GTI (looks higher)

Not trying to diss people who want to as a fashion accessory while having a better auto underneath but it holds no appeal to me. Inefficient packaging with no redeeming + over its platform mates..at least an EOS has a folding roof.

I'd rather they brought the Scirroco over than build this

[Jaeger]

Looks better than the last generation but there is nothing about this that would make me pick it over even a 2 dr GTI let alone 4 door. Is the centre of gravity lower or higher than the GTI (looks higher)

Not trying to diss people who want to as a fashion accessory while having a better auto underneath but it holds no appeal to me. Inefficient packaging with no redeeming + over its platform mates..at least an EOS has a folding roof.

I'd rather they brought the Scirroco over than build this

Agreed.  It seems like some only want to judge the success of this design in comparison to the vehicle it replaces - and no doubt, it's an improvement.  But it won't be competing against the old "New Beetle".

Jaeger

[hemusbull]

As long as Germans continue to watch with disregard to North American customers, this car will never meet the sales targets here, the same way as previous new beetle. Being more spacious for bigger american asses doesn't helps much. VW needs the same price downgrade policy with newest beetle as the one applied to newest Jetta! Price is vital and they should not continue to play the game with luxury cars like BMW, MB and Audi. By idea Beetle is not a luxury product!

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Wow. Rough audience!
The original Beetle design won't work as a modern people's car. The Mini made it's layout obsolete about 50 years ago. Plus, between the Golf and the Polo, VW already has the Beetle replacement in production.

While this is not really a car for me, and yes I did own a 67 Beetle, I can see the point of this as a fun, stylish economy car, that is not just another little hatchback. So it isn't practical. Who cares? Some people just want a car they enjoy.

I do like the looks a whole lot more the the first gen!

Exactly. This is a "lifestyle" car like the current Fiat 500 and Mini. None of them are replicating the the cheap, rudimentary, disposable originals.

I liked the previous generation and this one too. At the very least, it's distinctive at a pricepoint filled with anonymous aeroblobs.

[tpl]

As long as Germans continue to watch with disregard to North American customers, this car will never meet the sales targets here, the same way as previous new beetle. Being more spacious for bigger American asses doesn't helps much. VW needs the same price downgrade policy with newest beetle as the one applied to newest Jetta! Price is vital and they should not continue to play the game with luxury cars like BMW, MB and Audi. By idea Beetle is not a luxury product!

Well we can agree to disagree and that is ok.   I want VW/AUDI to produce GERMAN cars one small notch below BMW & M-B with the sole concession to America being the legal requirements for emissions and crash tests. 

[bombastic]

I believe the car will be a hit. They are not that many alternatives. Fiat 500 and Mini are the closest ones. The rest are either more expensive or lacking the same value.

[CanuckS2K]

I believe the car will be a hit. They are not that many alternatives. Fiat 500 and Mini are the closest ones. The rest are either more expensive or lacking the same value.

The big difference between the Beetle and the Fiat 500/Mini is that the Beetle is predominately purchased by women only (or at least from what I've seen over the last several years) whereas I don't think most guys would have any issues getting behind the wheel of a 500 or a Mini. 

[JSCC]

Those VW marketing people should have hired me as a product planning consultant.
I say make 2 versions of the new Beetle, MALE (=sporty) and FEMALE (=cute) edition, then you can sell and please 100% of the buying population.