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New VW Beetle Driven

We drive the all-new sportier Bug, but can it do justice to its illustrious heritage?

VW Beetle

By Matt Davis

July 2011

  • Rating:

We’ve been eagerly anticipating our drive in the revitalised Beetle since its debut at the Shanghai show, and now Auto Express is among the first behind the wheel of this new take on VW’s most iconic model.

It’s an impressive sight in the metal, a thoroughly modern reworking that’s been designed as much to help us forget the second-generation as to remind us of the all-conquering original.

Video: watch our video review of the new Volkswagen Beetle

 

 


The retro styling cues still takes pride of place, from the round headlights to the flared arches and instantly recognisable profile - but this time around there’s a harder, more modern edge to the looks, which should finally make this third-generation Beetle a credible rival, in terms of style, to the MINI and Fiat 500.

VW has made no secret of the fact that it’s aiming to attract a new crop of younger male buyers to this model, and this Sport version pushes the right visual buttons, with a neat roof spoiler, 17-inch alloys, and a set of bright red brake callipers.

Step inside and the sporty theme continues, with lovely touches like the optional auxiliary gauges that sits above the carbon-effect dashboard, figure hugging seats and a unique deep dish steering wheel all helping make it feel like a special place to sit.

We’ve driven the petrol flagship, which won't be released until summer next year, and comes equipped with the same turbocharged, 2.0-litre powerplant from the Golf GTI.  Sending 197bhp to the front wheels through VW’s six-speed DSG gearbox, it’s surprisingly quick off the line, with 0-62mph dispatched in just 7.5 seconds, and a top speed of 139mph - figures that should silence critics of previous car’s performance.

The handling is much improved too, with a multi-link suspension set-up at the back for the first time, stickier tyres and – on the most powerful versions at least –  an XDS differential at the front to help quell understeer by braking the inside wheel.

The Beetle turns in sharply, and grips well mid-corner, but the steering wheel doesn’t quite offer the kind of feedback we’d expect from what is essentially a hot-hatch. The ride also felt unusually stiff, although in lesser versions on smaller wheels, this will be less of a problem.

Apart from these slight niggles though, the new Beetle marks a great step forward because it’s much more practical, with a far bigger boot than before, and there's enough room for four adults to sit comfortably.

Whether VW has done enough to draw buyers away from the MINI remains to be seen. It's clear though this is by far the best-handling and best-looking Beetle yet, but with prices from around £15,000 to £23,000 it's got a premium price-tag to match.

 

 

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Beetle visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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26 Comments

Yuk.

It's starting to look like a PT Cruiser, not a good thing...

By the_lhc on 14 July, 2011, 7:16am

PT Cruiser????

No way should have gone to Specsavers!
It is fantastic and nothing like the yank PT hearse

By Carmad3 on 14 July, 2011, 7:33am

Squashed

To me it is looking like a squashed up Porsche

By Rych1506 on 14 July, 2011, 7:41am

Ugly

I also thought PT Cruiser upon seeing the rear 3/4 view.
It's lost the character and retro features of the older car.

By MikeJones68 on 14 July, 2011, 9:08am

Deffo PT Cruiser

I thought on 1st sight - front quarter view (above) PT Cruiser rear end. THen I saw the side view and rear quarter view and it's.... ugly. It's NOT an ugly sports car - it's just an ugly boring car. Sometimes cars are lovely BECAUSE they are ugly.... ie something designed & fit-for-purpose. I'm 100% sure this is fit-for-purpose as a run around - but an ugly one? Come on VW - we expect of you than this coble-together.

I see the Porche reference - BUT this car is trying TOO HARD and acheives nothing a Porche offers (from driving[review only]/marque branding/speed & handling).

I'm surprised the shot of the wheels wasn't those spinning wheel trims that spin when stationary. haha

The interior gives it 'some' kudos back again - it's OK.

Sorry VW - it's not a nice overall package - 4/10

By cikko on 14 July, 2011, 9:16am

Deffo PT Cruiser

I thought on 1st sight - front quarter view (above) PT Cruiser rear end. THen I saw the side view and rear quarter view and it's.... ugly. It's NOT an ugly sports car - it's just an ugly boring car. Sometimes cars are lovely BECAUSE they are ugly.... ie something designed & fit-for-purpose. I'm 100% sure this is fit-for-purpose as a run around - but an ugly one? Come on VW - we expect of you than this coble-together.

I see the Porche reference - BUT this car is trying TOO HARD and acheives nothing a Porche offers (from driving[review only]/marque branding/speed & handling).

I'm surprised the shot of the wheels wasn't those spinning wheel trims that spin when stationary. haha

The interior gives it 'some' kudos back again - it's OK.

Sorry VW - it's not a nice overall package - 4/10

By cikko on 14 July, 2011, 9:21am

Plug

Can only agree with the PT references: it's a dog and too expensive as well.

By iamaweasel01 on 14 July, 2011, 9:33am

Plug

Can only agree with the PT references: it's a dog and too expensive as well.

By iamaweasel01 on 14 July, 2011, 9:35am

Plug

Can only agree with the PT references: it's a dog and too expensive as well.

By iamaweasel01 on 14 July, 2011, 9:37am

Plug

Can only agree with the PT references: it's a dog and too expensive as well.

By iamaweasel01 on 14 July, 2011, 9:45am

No flower?

Where's the vase on the dashboard? Where would I keep my plastic flower? Sorry, VW, you've lost one potential customer.

By RogerWillis3 on 14 July, 2011, 10:06am

agree

looks like a PT Cruiser Coupe to me.......

By wmtmarine on 14 July, 2011, 11:07am

£15000 - £23000 for this?

VW must be havin a laugh.

By cousins11 on 14 July, 2011, 11:14am

Missing link

Backwards step not retro. The missing link between Beetle & 911.

By Ibiza_FR on 14 July, 2011, 11:33am

Missing link

Backwards step not retro. The missing link between Beetle & 911.

By Ibiza_FR on 14 July, 2011, 12:05pm

lost its USP

Surely the whole point of the model was that it echoed the original Beetle - especially the lovely arch of the roof. If it no longer looks like a Beetle, what is the point of it?
Frankly, I think a plague on all these retro rehashes. Why aren't they designing new classics instead of copying old ones?

By pajbse on 14 July, 2011, 1:25pm

Looks like PT Cruiser

Yes...it does initially look a little like the PT Cruiser on some angles. But I'm sure it will do well. I really like the interior.

By badboyrocco on 14 July, 2011, 2:28pm

Having owned a Beetle, I'd never be tempted!

I bought a 2.0 litre Beetle in 2004. I'd originally owned a Big Beetle in1974, which I traded for my first Golf in 1975. I must admit that, after the initial charm wore off the new model Beetle was just an expensive, thirsty, more -style -than -substance lump. The front and rear wings just about disguise a very narrow interior and the car was not a particularly involving drive, because it just felt heavy. No doubt this new model will have its fan club, but once they have bought one, will VW have a car which still sells consistently over its lifetime. I think not!

By n50pap on 14 July, 2011, 6:45pm

Your Havin a Lar'ff!!!

Even more pointless than the last one...

And worse looking to boot!

A sort of reject TT...

By LegioIXHispana on 14 July, 2011, 8:40pm

PT Cruiser MK2

Lost all the charm and style of the beetle, if they wanted to bring back an old model why not make a new Camper to replace the dull sharan or maybe a new variant

By rfh79 on 15 July, 2011, 9:17pm

i've always maintained if you can't make a car better than the previous or original then best leave it to the history books. the interior in this is just plain boring.

By corsamani on 18 July, 2011, 7:49am

PT Crusier Maybe

I was thinkin more in the lines of the Crossfire!!!

By Leonidas on 18 July, 2011, 2:36pm

It's a Porsche two modelyears later!

It's happening all over again...

By xedor2003 on 19 July, 2011, 9:33am

The ugly bug ballsed!

Test drove on of these once.
I needed a taxi to get me to the front windscreen to clean it!

By toycollector on 19 July, 2011, 11:59am

Going against the grain here - a bit!!

I think VW have got it nearly right. The last version did everything a Golf can do but much worse. This update was definitely needed. I don't think it looks bad, and the PT references - which are right, well is that bad. I think most people liked the look of that. I'm not sure pitching it as a sports car is going sway many though. Is that what anyone thinks a a Beetle is about? Should stick to their core audience.

By asmithdesign on 20 July, 2011, 7:31am

Fabulous but...

..when are the Germans going to make a car that copes with UK roads? - Have your comments on ride stiffness being noted. If it's stiff with 17" wheels it will be stiff on all sized wheels.

By terryxp on 11 January, 2012, 2:29pm

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FIRST OPINION

    The latest Beetle is a clear statement of intent from VW - particularly in this flagship turbo guise. The gutsy engine and decent handling mark it out as a real contender for the MINI's crown, and the retro styling now has a much broader appeal. Interior space and quality has also been greatly enhanced, but we'll have to wait to drive lesser versions before passing final judgement.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £22,000 (est.)
    Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
    Power/Torque: 197bhp/280Nm
    Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
    Top speed: 139mph
    0-62mph: 7.5 seconds
    Econ/CO2: 36.7mpg/179g/km
    Equipment: 17-inch alloys, climate control, electric windows, XDS front differential, ESP, leather multifunction steering wheel, red brake calipers, carbon-look dash, rear spoiler, sat-nav.
    On sale: Spring 2012
     
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