Volkswagen Beetle

• Rating:
• For : Extravagant looks and solid Golf chassis
• Against : Rear headroom limited

Now firmly established, the Beetle may exhibit many of the hallmarks of the original, but is, in fact, completely different. It is much larger, something you will only appreciate seeing old and new side-by-side, but most importantly the engine is not in the boot, but in the front, for beneath the surface the new millennium Beetle is based around the Golf.

Originally only available with the 2.0-litre GTi engine, a cheaper 1.6 followed. Two new higher performance versions are now also available, powered by either a 150bhp 1.8T, or 2.3-litre V5 with 170bhp. Buyers wanting diesel power will have to wait until early 2002 when a 105bhp TDi PD engine will be made available. While the small engine seems a bit underpowered, all the other engines give the Beetle some real get-up-and-go. The higher performance versions are visually little different to the 1.6 and 2.0-litre, though gain bigger alloy wheels, driving lights and rear spoiler above the rear window that raises at speed. Despite being a hatchback the boot is small, and getting things in and out is back wrenching. As are the back seats, headroom being particularly tight, but space and comfort for those in the front, is ample.

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