2012 Beetle

[Ford Man]

Looks better than the previous generation Beetle. I guess it's ok, but I've just never been a fan of the VW Beetle and for the money I'm I'm sure you could find something much more economical.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Don't like it.
Looks like a smashed bug.

Aerodynamics are still a mess - turn it around, little doubt it'll be better !

Agreed. I still like my "New" Beetle.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by Nevyn

Engine choices are barf.

Please.

Volkswagen of America said in a statement that the 2012 Beetle will offer three engines: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter gasoline five-cylinder engine, a 140-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine and a 200-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI turbocharged gasoline engine.

A TDI is all you need to get 50+mpg.

[Frank Lee]

Here is why the original Beetle succeeded:

1) Value- you got what you paid for, and then some. You didn't need a 5-year note to afford it.
2) Economy- cheap on gas, cheap parts, cheap repairs, cheap everything.
3) Simplicity- you don't need a PhD, or special tools from Germany to work on it.
4) Versatility- you can go down the highway, you can go off-road without 4x4.
5) Durability- it wasn't a rotted out pile of poo quite as quickly as everything else. It could take a hit. It could take a roll. It could take off-roading and beg for more.
6) Longevity- the same parts would fit models many years apart. Few parts + parts interchangeability = ease of stocking parts = plethora of suppliers in addition to OEM to choose from = every corner store probably had the parts you need. (I recall buying a cap, rotor, and ignition coil for my Bug at KMart on a Sunday evening when I was 800 miles from home).
7) Design that transcends trends and fads- the 70 year-old version is STILL cooler than the new one- why? Because it's totally honest.

I don't see the new one possessing ANY of these traits. This is because executives and designers don't know what the real world is like anymore.

[brucey]

I never got the appeal of the new beetles either, and apparently everyone agreed with me since the only ones I saw were being driven by ultra hip school kids.

[gone-ot]

...first thing my wife said when she saw it on TV was: "...well, it's sorta cute, but it gets lousey gas milage!.."

[cfg83]

BrianAbington -

It looks "ok" for what it is, but I would nix the rear taillights for something that is closer to one of the original rear taillight designs.

I agree with Frank that it's not a "real" Beetle. It's a nostalgia-retro machine.

CarloSW2

[Nevyn]

Originally Posted by UFO

Please.

A TDI is all you need to get 50+mpg.

And while that is the best option, what happened to the 1.8T gasser?

[UFO]

Originally Posted by Nevyn

And while that is the best option, what happened to the 1.8T gasser?

It's a 2.0 liter engine, just like the TDI went from 1.9 liters to 2.0. More is better, right?

[Nevyn]

Smaller displacement = less consumed at idle. But, if it's got idle stop, I guess that won't be an issue.