VW Relases Photos Of New 2012 Beetle

Volkswagen wants to keep its newcomer in the headlines until it launches into the market this fall starting with the U.S. in September, followed by Germany in October, the rest of Europe in November, the UK in January 2012, Asia in February 2012 and finally South America by the beginning of 2013.

To do so, the German automaker came out today with a fresh batch of images as well some new info explaining some of the thinking behind the creation of the 2012 Beetle. Although the latest two generations of the Beetle have very few in common with the original model other than the shape and styling details, that’s something to be expected given that the first model was created back in the 1930s. Surely, the shape of the new Beetle resembles its predecessors and if you put the original 1938 model next to the new one you’ll see that there are quite a lot of similarities, like the lines of the rear end.

Compared to the 1998 New Beetle, the 2001 Beetle has a 12 mm lower roofline, is substantially wider (by 84 mm) and also longer (by 152 mm). The wheelbase has also grown by 22 mm, to 2,537 mm. The aim was to create a bolder, more masculine car than its predecessor while retaining the Beetle’s character.

A rather unique characteristic of the new model will be the (optional) country-specific badging in the rear according to its nickname in each market: Käfer, Beetle, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫. Or, if you prefer something more discreet, just Volkswagen.

The interior also resembles that of the first Beetle, updated of course with carbon look and color-painted surfaces. Also, like the original, the new Beetle has an extra glovebox whose lid folds upward and auxiliary instruments for oil temperature, chronometer function and boost pressure above the audio or navigation system.

Of course the modern interpretation of the cult icon has to conform to today’s norms. Therefore it is offered with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, with output between 105 and 200 PS, while economy is also a factor: In Europe the most economical Beetle is the 1.6 TDI with an average consumption of just 4.4 lt/100 km and in the US the 2.0 TDI with 33 mpg.

VW Beetle Key Facts
Market launch, North America: September / October 2011
Market launch, Germany: October 2011
Market launch, Europe: November 2011 (right-hand steering version: January 2012)
Market launch, Asia: February 2012
Market launch, South America: end of 2012 / beginning of 2013
Equipment lines: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport"
Power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS
Combined minimum fuel consumption, Europe: 4.3 l/100 km (1.6 TDI)
Combined fuel economy, USA: 33 mpg (2.0 TDI)
Engine specifications: Petrol engines: TSI (petrol direct injection engines, except 2.5-litre engine for USA). Diesel: TDI (common rail engines). All EU engines fulfill Euro-5 emissions standard; all US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV
Debut of original Beetle:1938
Debut of New Beetle:1998
Total units built to date:> 22.5 million
Designers:Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand). Exterior: Marc Lichte (team leader), Chris Lesmana, Nisan Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski (team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour and Trim: Oona Scheepers (team leader), Susanne Gerken
Dimensions:4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbase, 310 to 905 litres cargo capacity

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2012 VW Beetle by ABT

The noted VW Group tuner said it is still working on the performance upgrades for the latest Beetle, which won’t arrive in customer hands until September, but it can give us an idea of what to expect based on its current offerings.

ABT will offer performance kits for the entire engine lineup in Europe with the modified 1.2 TSI petrol estimated to deliver around 140HP, up from 105HP, the 1.4 TSI petrol about 210HP, up from 160HP, while the flagship 2.0 TSI petrol is said to produce close to 240HP, up from the factory model’s 200HP.

As for the diesel engines, ABT said the tweaked 1.6 TDI will churn out 125HP instead of 105HP, and the 2.0 TDI 170HP instead of 140HP.

A lowered sport suspension and a variety of alloy wheel options including a set of 19-inch rims shown on the car in the pictures will also be available.

On the outside, ABT is preparing several packages such as an aero kit comprising of a front spoiler, a rear apron incorporating a diffuser, a large rear wing and side skirts along with unique tail pipes, special paint jobs, headlamps and tail light covers, and carbon fiber accessories.

More detailed information on ABT’s offerings for the new 2012 VW Beetle will be released at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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2012 Volkswagen Beetle

The newest interpretation of the Bug comes 73 years after the launch of the original Beetle in 1938, which sold an amazing 21.5 million units, and 13 years after the debut of the New Beetle in 1998 that managed to sell a little over 1 million units until production ended in 2010.

When it goes on sale in North America and Europe in the fall of 2011, and the rest of the world from early 2012, the latest model will be known simply as the ‘Beetle’ as Volkswagen dropped the ‘New’ from the car’s name.

Starting with the design, VW’s goal was to make the 21st century Beetle appeal to both genders. As a result, the VW Group’s chief designer Walter de Silva and his team offered the Beetle a meaner and lower-slung look that draws on cues from the Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. The overall styling is far less bulbous and more chiseled compared to the New Beetle, while keeping the retro feel of the series.

The same goes for the interior, with Volkswagen dropping the ‘cute’ features of the previous model such as the signature “bud vase” mounted to the dashboard. Highlights include an available flat bottom steering wheel, an extra glovebox integrated in the front facia whose lid folds upward while keeping the standard glovebox that opens downward, optional auxiliary instruments above the center console and integrated audio and navigation systems with a 5-inch or a 6.5-inch screen. As an option, VW offers a panoramic sunroof that is said to be 80 percent larger than on the previous model.

The 2012 Beetle has grown in size and now measures 4,278 mm in length (+152 mm), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm). The track width front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, are also increased over its predecessor and promise to offer improved interior space. In addition, the boot capacity is 310 liters, up from 209 liters in the 1998 model, while all versions come with a split-fold rear seat for improved versatility.

Like its predecessor, the Beetle features a front mounted engine, front-wheel drive layout. Depending on the region, the latest Bug will be offered with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines.

In the U.S., powertrain options include a 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel with 140HP and either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, that returns 40mpg in the Highway cycle, 29mpg in City driving, and 33mpg combined.

The gasoline range comprises of VW’s –you-guessed it- archaic 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit with 170HP. The manual version attains 22 mpg (City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined), while its counterpart with a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22 mpg (City), 29 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined).

Finally, U.S. buyers can opt for a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline unit with 200HP and a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. It is offered with a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG.

For the rest of the world including Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Beetle will be offered solely with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, all of which are being used for the first time in the Beetle.

Gasoline choices include a 1.2-litre TSI with 105HP, a 1.4-litre TSI delivering 160HP and a 2.0-litre TSI producing 200HP. The diesel range includes a 1.6-liter with 105HP and a 140HP unit. According to VW, thanks to the addition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems the Beetle 1.6-litre 105HP is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (equal to 54.7 mpg US or 65.7 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 112 g/km.All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.

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