2012 Volkswagen Beetle Review

Looking back from the beginning: the beginning of Volkswagen built one of the most successful cars of all time and not even given a name. Why? After all, was the Volkswagen! People loved, and in all continents of the world of small car that has been called the feature just what it looked like: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Beetle, Fusca, or 甲壳虫 Maggiolina! He embodies the concept of the vehicle and symbol of the democratization of mobility. 21,500,000 cars were sold. Then the New Beetle arrived in 1998. Introduced a new sense of automotive in the world and brought with her Beetle Mania. In 2010, the final edition of the beetle is new series, which has sold over a million cars. And now? Looking to the future. The future of the world's most famous car starts now. In a whole new generation.

 

This is the error! And because the Volkswagen Beetle and called to his home world, the new car is a world premiere of the celebration of Transcontinental - simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York.

The technological objective: a high-tech harmony with the environment

Volkswagen Beetle is an icon. This tells the story of the car. Only those who know her story would make a new generation of Volkswagen, this reality. Task ahead for engineers has been very clear. They had to develop a high-tech car that was still accessible, and leaves nothing to chance, the integrated communication of our time, and, of course, has reached the minimum environmental impact. It 'was also a machine that puts at the forefront of driving pleasure. A new generation of the VW Beetle would be very agile, dynamic performer, and the people who developed the Golf GTI could also achieve this goal.

 

Not least was the Beetle for this fuel. Efficiency alone is not enough: 4.3 l/100 km (EU 1.6 TDI) and 33 mpg (2.0 TDI American), New Beetle, Volkswagen Beetle is a fuel-efficient than ever.

Design goal: "Create a new original!"

The best-known automotive design in the world. Bottle of Coca Cola, the iPhone, Ray Ban Aviator Beetle - how to come up with the design is so recognizable and independent? There is a clear answer to this: It 'necessary to understand the product and the brand, then it works! Volkswagen chief designer Walter de 'Silva (Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen) to "understand" it, and then set this goal for the bubble: "Create a new original"

 

Challenge as a shiver. The team began its mission under the direction of Bischoff. The challenge in designing a new Volkswagen Beetle was inspiring. The designers knew they wanted to develop the profile of the original Beetle from 1998 New Beetle. They were also very dynamic proportions of high priority. An interesting aspect is that over a team few of them own their own air-cooled beetles. He also became a cult car among young designers from Volkswagen. And so the final design of the 2011 Beetle in Wolfsburg came to be - a car today, and a tribute to design the seeds of the car of an entire group. And the indisputable fact: If you had to take the first Beetle and New Beetle and put them in one room - light just above the roof and watch them on the side - you would see that the lines in the rear sections are almost identical.

No one still stands: "We again each party."

Bolder, more dynamic, more masculine. A comparison of the 1998 New Beetle shows this: nothing remained of it was the old car. "The Beetle is now distinguished by a clean sport, assertive and dominant as the car not only has a low profile, it is also considerably wider, the front cover is longer, the windshield and moved back have a much steeper slope. All this creates a new dynamic, "says Klaus Bischoff. While the New Beetle has been defined by three semi-circles (front fender, rear fender, arched roof above), the new model has broken free of this geometry. The roof profile is currently running much lower, and can be considered as a continuation of Ragster concept car shown in Detroit in 2005 - a kind of Hot Rod based on the New Beetle. The New Beetle is bolder, more aggressive, more masculine.

The figures confirm it: The new car is 1808 mm wide (84 mm in width), 1486 mm high (12 mm below) and 4278 mm long (152 mm longer). This has resulted in entirely new proportions. The gain in length meant that the roof can be extended, could be brought back windshield and the rear to follow the contours of the original Beetle. The new center is the cornerstone C. In parallel, the track width of the car development team and the wheelbase. All this gives the VW Beetle a powerful look at the muscle tension.

 

Typically typical Volkswagen Beetle: a new DNA

2011 style. Despite all his individuality, style follows a Volkswagen design DNA created by Walter de Silva, Klaus Bischoff. Clearly expresses itself in the image's horizontal front bumper, front air intake, straight lines of the bonnet leading edge, the precise line drawn between A-pillar and C pillar and style taillights.

Beetle, Microbus, the original Golf. And yet it was possible to keep all the features typical of the style Volkswagen Beetle. This should come as no surprise, after all, was the vehicle, as the Beetle, Microbus, and the original Golf, which had a decisive influence on the Volkswagen design DNA. "Of course, some long-term characteristics of the beetle are : these are the round headlamps (optional bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are available for the first time in this series), flared wings, forms, hats, pages, and thresholds, and - more than ever - big wheels (up to 19 inches), which can be integrated.

 

What is new is the rear spoiler that is perfectly integrated into the design (standard motors TSI 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 hp), is aggressive to keep in touch with the road for Volkswagen, which has a maximum speed of up to 225 km / h, depending on the engine, and is available in three versions: "The Bubble", the "design" and "Sport". Otherwise, the upper surface of the rear spoiler is always black, but the bottom is painted body color. These colors - 12 different shades - make every day driving a car with the most brilliant names like "Saturn Yellow" and "Blue Denim".

An original interior like no other

The cockpit offers a visual impression. Is it possible for a cockpit to make an impression? Are you kidding? By their very nature! Motorists sit in the cockpit. Sometimes for hours at a time. Yet there are cars whose cockpits not leave a lasting impression. They have a "like" appearance, as the marketing people say - easily confused with someone else who lacks charisma. VW Beetle in the cockpit, on the other hand is unique, inimitable, cool, classic design with a passion for detail. The cockpit is seen as something special.

All of the reach and sight. The shape and colors have been painted or carbon fiber on the front dashboard and instrument panel back to the design of the first VW Beetle, but the new car is not a retro look. Europe, for example, the forehead is a style of "Black Dream" (black) is the basic model ("Beetle"), in-line "design" of equipment, must always be painted with a special exterior color. Customers selecting the level "sport" seems to be carbon ("Carbon Fiber"). No matter what colors are used, the Volkswagen drivers are able to find all the rooms are equipped with closed eyes.

Yet, everything is renewed. Three round gauges arranged in front of the driver (with tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge), providing all relevant information, integrated with the speedometer (center) is a multifunction display. "Design" at the level of equipment, adjustable air vents and instruments are chrome. This also applies to the audio / navigation system is excellent in the field of vision of the instrument panel, framed by two air intakes. This also applies to the control of the air conditioner. Everything is closed and the view.

 

Return to the glove box. Similar to the original Beetle, the new car has a spare glove box integrated into the dashboard before if the lid folds (the glove box standard, which is also integrated opens down). Another feature classic instruments optional on selected audio / navigation system: oil temperature, clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge. Also new: the wheel is specifically designed for the Volkswagen Beetle with optional accents painted on the shelves according to the equipment line. Details such as make it clear that residents are in a Beetle - there is no doubt about it.

Air-cooled Beetle. New Beetle. Scrabble. The hallmark of the beetle - the third generation if you will - is that its interior packaging and ergonomics are completely new parameters. Although the air-cooled Beetle drivers traveled extensively lowered the seat, the New Beetle and the drivers seemed as if the driver was so far off the hood, the last Beetle, Volkswagen offers an agile, driver-oriented sports car experience. Each property is easily accessible. In addition, Volkswagen has once again succeeded in implementing the quality of materials, which crosses all boundaries of class. Car design, ergonomics, functionality and quality interact to create a new, friendly, self very individual character.

The New Beetle has an interior of the cathedral. Opposite is the Scarab now a little lower in the profile, as the domed roof of his predecessor was removed. It now offers an interior height 1044 mm 1082 mm instead of the previous. However, the 38 mm hardly be missed, even at very high drivers, when the New Beetle interior was a "cathedral" among compact cars. Meanwhile, in the rear seats. Section over the roof, resulting in a sense much more space, the trunk is much larger and is now 310 instead of 209 liters. As usual, the car has a split, folding rear seat back, and a bootlid wide opening for easy loading and unloading.

Many optional features: customize VW Beetle

"Beetle", "design" and "Sport". New Volkswagen will be available worldwide in three versions: "The Bubble", the "design" and "Sport". Each of these versions is a very special character. In addition, the individual markets themselves emphasize certain points. Volkswagen notify the individual parameters of these levels of customization, license, introduction of international journalists. In addition, three versions of the model, Beetle can be customized with a wide range of optional features. Overview of key features:

Bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. Volkswagen Beetle offers a bi-xenon headlights for the first time. 15 LED module frame xenon headlights and external perimeters, taking daytime running lights and position lights.

Panoramic roof. It is transparent and can be tilted or opened. Therefore, the correct name is: panoramic glass roof slides vertical /. Much more important is 80 percent larger (glass surface) than the previous model. Indeed, the isolation of the glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92 percent of thermal energy.

CD Radio and radio navigation systems. The New Beetle is available only with a radio-CD which is specially designed for this model. No navigation was offered. Now Volkswagen is a completely different approach and offers all the systems available in other ranges such as the Golf, Jetta and Passat on VW New Beetle as well. Standard Beetle RCD 310 with 8 speakers, which is a very good sound system (including dual tuner). The top of its system RCD 510 CD changer with integrated SD card interface and touch screen. Attractively priced entry-level radio-navigation, the RNS 315 touch screen 5 inch (400 x 240 pixels), CD player, SD card reader and dual tuner. The system model top is the RNS 510 radio navigation and offers improvements such as a 6.5-inch touch screen, DVD player, voice control, SD card slot and 30 GB hard drive.

 

Premium Sound System by Fender. Anyone who knows the world of rock music is familiar with the greats like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The first played Fender guitars, while the latter still does. Now, the legendary American producer of musical instruments and amplifiers - a joint venture with Panasonic - are only to share their experience with the Volkswagen brand. The result is a Fender sound system that option is available on the Volkswagen Beetle with a woofer and 400 watts of additional power output. Those who choose the sound system adjustable ambient lighting also enter. In addition to providing indirect lighting, which includes two rings of light around the boxes of the speakers in the doors. In Europe, the Volkswagen Beetle is the first car to offer a Fender sound system.

The remote keyless entry. Lock keyless entry and engine start system is becoming for the first time in the Volkswagen Beetle, which operates without a door or ignition key. When a door handle before it is played, the system detects an access authorization of an issuer in fact the person's jacket, pants or purse, opens it and allows the engine of the beetle is initiated by button to start the engine. Volkswagen lock from the outside, is also activated by touching one of two door handles, in this case, however, a specially marked area is used.

All round safety. We come to the point. The Beetle, Volkswagen to build a machine that is one of the safest in terms of active and passive safety. Of course, the electronic stability program ESP as standard, as a powerful network of six airbags, which protect the passenger compartment. Of course, the body of the car - a lot of it is a laser-welded and galvanized - shows one of the best values ​​of torsional rigidity of the segment 26 000 Nm / °. Of course, because security is a fundamental quality of the Volkswagen.

Engines: superior fuel economy of 40 mpg and 4.3 l/100km

U.S. diesel engine 140 hp. When it comes to engines, all signs point towards sustainability. VW Beetle in the United States has offered to non-turbo diesel for the first time. Beetle 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 hp), to meet all U.S. emissions and achieve 40 mpg highway fuel economy of 29 mpg in the city cycle and 33 mpg in combined. Consequently, the Volkswagen Beetle is a good choice, because one of the car fuel consumption in its class. Otherwise, Volkswagen is not only an excellent fuel economy values ​​of the 6-speed version, but also - and this is a technical as well as his debut Beetle - with optional 6-speed dual-clutch.

U.S. gasoline engine with 170 hp and 200 hp. The values ​​of fuel economy have also been improved in the 2.5-liter engine with five-cylinder petrol was already a success in the previous model. The VW Beetle manually moved to 22 mpg (city) 31 MPG (highway) and 25 mpg (combined). His counterpart in a 6-speed automatic transmission reaches 22 mpg (city) 29 MPG (highway) and 25 mpg (combined) - which represents an increase of up to 10 percent in fuel economy. Cutting edge: even the Beetle 2.0 TSI 147 kW / 200 hp power achieves a fuel economy of 25 mpg. The high STI is also available with an optional 6-speed DSG.

World Engine 105 hp, 140 PS 200 PS 160 and PS. In markets such as Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Volkswagen Beetle is offered exclusively with charged engines. All engine versions - each with four cylinders - used for the first time in this series of models. The car shows fuel consumption and significantly reduces the emission values ​​from the previous model thanks to the transition to turbo gasoline (TSI) and turbo diesel common rail direct injection (TDI). The three petrol engines responsible for the output of the Beetle 77 kW / 105 hp, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 hp engines. The two diesel engines developing 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 hp (TDI not available in China). The five engines can be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.

Engine with 160 hp and 200 hp in detail. Even fast-moving VW Beetle 225 kmh 2.0 TSI 200 hp only consumes 7.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 173 g / km CO2) with a manual transmission. It is also very economical 160 hp 1.4 TSI offset by a 7-speed DSG, the beetle that consumes just 5.9 l/100 km (139 g / km CO2). Fuel economy, as the data that makes the beetle 1.4 TSI DSG (top speed: 207 km / h) a pleasant surprise in the engine program. In comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 hp has a value of 8.9 l/100 km in the automatic version. Despite more than 10 PS of power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0 liters per 100 kilometers or 34 percent.

 

Differential lock for the top engine. To ensure that the effect of the highest two versions Volkswagen Beetle used correctly in the way of speed approaching curves and, from models with 160 hp (European version) and 200 hp (Worldwide) with a lock installed XDS electronic differential factory. This system extends the functionality familiar EDS. XDS improves handling in fast corners and calibrates the car in the direction of more "neutral" direction, and uses active braking intervention to prevent wheel spin the wheel landed on the inside of the curve, and it improves traction.

The motors 105 hp and 140 hp in detail. Most of the fuel consumption of the petrol model is equipped with a Beetle 1.2 TSI with BlueMotion technology (including the Stop / Start system and the reform of the battery) and 105 hp with a maximum speed of 180 km / h. This is a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers (129 g / km CO2). Comparable to the previous model (75 kW / 102 hp) consumes 7.5 l/100 km. Savings: 2.0 liters per 100 kilometers, or 27 percent. Extremely durable performer Beetle 1.6 TDI 105 bhp. It is 4.3 litres/100 km (equal to 112 g / km CO2), the diesel is a fuel efficient version of the VW Beetle ever built BlueMotion technology. Its fuel consumption is 20 percent smaller, even the current TDI engines, which have always been a lot of fuel. Otherwise, the highway, New Beetle 1.6 TDI BlueMotion technology can reach a top speed of 180 km / h - in this case, the fuel economy performance has not been received. This applies in particular to improve the performance of the TDI 2

0 liters displacement and 103 kW / 140 hp. This high-torque turbodiesel (320 Nm at 1750 rpm) takes the Volkswagen Beetle has a top speed of 198 km / h, combined fuel consumption of just 4.9 litres/100km (equivalent to 129 g / km CO2 ). This means that the beetle in a new era once again show how they can "go and go and go ..."