Oh Hi: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Were you in the audience of the Oprah Show when she announced that she would be giving  each audience member a brand new redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle? If so, this is what it’s going to look like. Also, now you have a reason to make fun of everyone who made  fun of you for being in the audience of an Oprah Winfrey Show. Free car!

Anyway, the design is clearly evolutionary as it is long and wider than the outgoing model, however VW designers said they were inspired by the original Beetle – hence keeping the retro feel. It’s actually closer to the Ragster concept. As is the trend of late in the auto industry, the Beetle will get LED tail lights and LED running lamps up front. It will have seating for four with rear foldable seats which should translate into more cargo room given the new size of the Beetle. Volkswagen’s strategy was to make the Beetle more masculine in an effort to attract more male buyers. The previous generation Beetle had a high number of female owners. Think it worked?

In Europe, they will get their choice of three engines: a 1.2 litre naturally asperated unit, a 1.6 litre diesel and a 2.0 litre turbo. The engine choices for us Canadians has yet to be announced but a safe bet would be on the 200 + horsepower 2.0 litre turbo (the same that’s used in the GTI and Tiguan) and probably the TDI engine.

Hit the jump for more pics.

What do you think of the 2012 Beetle?

[Volkswagen]

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