Test Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5

By Kevin Harrison

Jon Voight turned 73 last week. Can you believe it? The man best known for his role in The Rainmaker in the 1990′s, his outspoken liberal political views and, most notably, for helping to spawn Angelina Jolie has actually been around for over seven decades. It seems like just yesterday he was playing Ben Stiller’s coal-miner father in Zoolander. He certainly has quite the resume.

Although as impressive as it is, the Volkswagen Beetle certainly has done a lot in its 73-year history as well. It’s the most manufactured car based off a single design (though the Porsche 911 could take second place easily). There were 21,529,464 Beetles sold worldwide and that was up until 2003 when that first generation body style officially went out of production. In fact, that body style was the star of my all-time favourite Disney movie (and probably the only Disney movie I’ve ever liked), Herbie. No one could beat the little Bug with the #53 painted on its hood, even though many Lancia’s, Alfa Romeos, Lamborghinis and Ferrari’s tried. Back then as a mini car nut, Herbie, and subsequently the Beetle, earned a special place in my heart. Even to this day when I see a Type 1 Beetle it puts a smile on my face.

I remember being fairly unimpressed with the ‘New Beetle’ which debuted in 1998. While the overall shape of the originally was captured, it’s bubble styling cuteness was hard to overlook. It was clear that Volkswagen was after a specific market with the New Beetle and was not me. Available in a wide variety of bright colours and even a daisy on the dash, the New Beetle become quite a hit with mostly women. Meanwhile I, and pretty much every male on the planet, was left wondering what Volkswagen had done with my beloved Herbie.

Well it seems Volkswagen has had a new train of thought with this all-new second generation New Beetle. Volkswagen realized that in order to achieve their goal of world domination, they had to make a vehicle that pleased both men and women alike.

Have they succeeded?

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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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Oprah Reveals 2012 VW Beetle Sillouette, Audience Loses Their Shit

Orpah Winfrey has got to be the most powerful female in America, or maybe even the entire world. Why? Because she called up Volkswagen and asked to see what the new Beetle will look like and VW happily obliged without hesitation. You don’t say no to Oprah. Try calling up your favourite automaker and see how willing they’ll be to show you their upcoming product. They’ll say, “who do you think you are, Oprah?”

Why did Oprah want to see it so badly? Well it turns out Oprah is very fond of the Beetle and is a proud owner. In fact, Oprah decided it would be awesome if she could feature it on ‘Oprah’s favourite things’. Oprah’s favourite things is a big deal if you’re in the audience because Oprah not only lets you in on what she likes, but you get everything that she likes for free.

As a result, the audiences usually loses their shit when it’s revealed that they’re at a ‘favourite things’ show. It’s actually quite funny/pathetic to see the reactions of the audience. In fact SNL did a hilarious parody of it (look it up on youtube).

Anyway, when the audience found out that Oprah loves the Beetle, they all rightfully lost their shit. Oprah is giving out a New Beetle to every single audiance member.  She had the current version on hand to show off, but it will be the redesigned  version that each audience member will receive. Oprah wasn’t allowed to actually show it off, but VW allowed her to show a sillouette to whet the audiences appitite. As far as I can tell, the 2012 Beetle will be longer and will have a flatter roof.

According to VW, they hope to squash the Beetle’s reputation of being a girl’s car and they want more guys to buy the new Beetle. If that’s the case, why did they show it off on a show that is prodominently female oriented? How many guys do you know that watch Oprah of their own choosing?

[ABC]

Get a New Beetle While You Can

Volkswagen is reportedly taking final orders on the New Beetle, which really isn’t that ‘new’ anymore. It has been around since 1998 with only one very minor refresh over those twelve years.

The New Beetle will be riding into the sunset quite soon, but all you Beetle fans don’t need to worry. Volkswagen is working on a replacement which should make an appearance sometime around 2012. It is expected to retain a similar shape, however it will likely have a flat roof a la Mini Cooper, and is expected to be a bit more sport oriented.

I was never a huge fan of the New Beetle. The only version that ever peaked my interest (aside from Herbie when I was a young lad) was the Turbo S model pictured above.  The Turbo S had the same 1.8 litre engine except it produced 180 horsepower and 174 pound foot torque at only 1950 rpm. Mate that to a 6 speed manual along with some bigger and grippier tires and you had yourself one hot little bug.