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Manning up: VW new Beetle gets a sex change for the 2011 model year. Photo courtesy Automobile Magazine
Manning up! 2011 Volkswagen New Beetle gets sex change
Volkswagen's New Beetle is about to get a testosterone injection. A mean-looking chopped top, 200 H.P. motor, widened stance, and a larger interior will transform the quintessential chick car into a rock-hard rock star.
The original neo-classic New Beetle derived from an idea of Freeman Thomas and J. Mays at VW's Southern California design center. Their Concept 1 appeared in 1994 and met with such wild acclaim that VW produced it for the 1999 model year. Sales ran hot for a couple years but tapered as the new wore off and the Beetle came to be seen as overly cute. BMW's revived MINI Cooper undoubtedly stole some sales as well. Last year a mere 15,000 New Beetles left showrooms, way down from its peak when Volkswagen sold over a hundred thousand units.
The new New Beetle will once again be based on VW's proven Golf chassis, but upgraded a generation. It will face stiff competition from Fiat's revived 500.
Engine choices will be three: the familiar 5 cylinder used in today's Golf and Jetta, the GTI's turbo hottie, and a diesel option.
The original Beetle was made for 65 years. The first New Beetle for 12. The accelerating rate of change means updates must come fasterandfaster. And this time it's a sex change.
And, if this wasn't enough change, rumors buzz that the 2017 third gen New Beetle will feature a Porsche-engineered four cylinder boxer engine. . . located in the rear.
For more info check out the slide show and links below:
- Fiat's revived 500 coming to America via Mexico
- VW GTI: Hot hatch tops class
- VW Beetle's origins: New book's shocking claims, part 1
- VW Beetle's origins: New book's shocking claims, part 2
- VW L1 concept gets 187 M.P.G.
- Frankfurt Auto Show: VW copies Edsel?
Comments
You are too funny, dude... laughed out loud. :)
This looks more like the audi tt platform.
Billy,
This IS the Audi TT platform, as you say, But it's more commonly referred to as the Golf platform. The TT has shared the Golf platform for its entire production.
I hate it! If I wanted a different car I would get one. I don't like this style at all. I want the beetle back!
WHO CARES! WE LIKE ITMUCH BETTER!
Ew, this is terrible. That is not a beetle...
Why make a totally different car with the same name? Now people who like the beetle can not get an actual beetle...
I agree. This new design is is not a beetle at all. They just took the name...
Well, I must say, I really love this style! I am looking forward to buy one... TDI :)
NICE !!...It needed a different look and this is GREAT !!!..I am 52 and have been driving Beetles since i was 16 ..It is a cult thing.The old look will never come back but this cool...
Hate the 2011 Beetle, the change is TERRIBLE and I was actually thinking about trading in my 2001 for a 2011 - NOT !!!
THEN KEEP YOUR 2001 BUMB-BUMB
Nope, don't like the chopped off look, stick with the classic look and focus on reducing the price and more people will purchase one.
finally a beetle that looks good without a flower holder. I want one!
I don't know if I would trade my NB 2001 for the 2011. The change is radical.
Awww Yikes! That is butt ugly! I love the classic look better. Why can't they just keep the same chassis and improve its features and maybe add a GPS system in addition and other cool stuff.
It's all about making money. VW thinks it can capitalize on the Beetle name, and that's the name of the game.
I don't care what you guys say, this car is totally awesome!
Still looks like a total chick ride.
YOU MUST BE A CHICK!
love the look compared to the"chick car' that im driving right now, altho most would complain about the flower vase... i wouldnt mind cause i use it as a shot glass, believe be is realy handy when your out to party :P, my mom said she was going to put a flower in it and i told her good luck... (vodka smell still in it)
LOVE THE NEW LOOK! GIVE ME A WHITE ONE WITH THE GTI TURBO!!!!!!
HOPE VW WATCHES THEIR PRICEING ON THIS MODLE SHOULD BE WAY CHEAPER THAN THE GOLFS, OR THEY WONT SELL WELL! GTI 6SP FOR 22K IM IN!
they wont sell anyways because there HIDEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look like all the others cars now. It's lost its unique look loved by us beetle fans!
HATE IT! HATE IT! HATE IT! HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the old bettles!!! this is just butt ugly! i wouldnt take it even if someone was going to give it to me for free!
i totaly agree!!! love my bug and this just isnt the same! HATE 2011 bug!
My wife drives a 99 diesel. Would but a new one if they still had the diesel engine. The only reason I will consider the 2011 is it has a diesel option. We love the milage the diesel engine gets. The body change IS different and takes getting use to. Not the old style, but cute.
The NB started as a 1998, not '99. Mine's a '98.
Nice car but really love the old beetle look! To me it's starting to look like all the other cars out there
So, is this what happens when a Mini Cooper and a Bug reproduce?
I have owned many old school v dubs over the years, and purchased two new beetles when they came out, one for my wife, one for my daughter, This is where i stop buying beetles, and maybe purchase a cc now,,, this new beetle looks like a cockroach!!!! I think the only people that you will see driving one are the one's from oprah's favorite things give away....hahahah
I'll certainly think about the rear-mounted, air-cooled boxster engine 2017 one.
Like this look, can't wait to see it in production
Looks hot!
i love the sexy new look of the beetle !!!!!
This is no beetle...
It should be under a different name.
A lot of people previous bug riders will be heavily disappointed...
i want one now so nice!!!!!
Well it does look nice and sheik but I think it might be a little overwhelming.
the thing that makes a car great is it's performance, not it's look or style .
"Man up"?
Are you a throwback to a sexist era or a 2008 Republican candidate?
Let me guess, you couldn't get "the first Beetle was too gay" past your editors?
No kidding, nothing like alienating every man who's ever owned a bug. Way to be! That's exactly how these negative reputations get going, Mini suffers from some of the same "cute" stigma--despite the neutral coolness of that line and their marketing angled pretty much exclusively to men.
Thank you, this is exactly what I was thinking while reading this horribly written article. Not to mention he looks like a d-bag.
It makes me think of a Baja Bug, I freakin love it. Classic good looks!
I love my 2001 VW New Beetle. I think the main attraction of the Beetle is it's "round" look. That's what makes it unique! To flatten the roof is stupid - then it looks too similar to the rest of the boring looking cars out there. I live in Ohio and we've had a bit more snow than usual this year. Because of my car's round design, it is SO MUCH EASIER to clean off the snow than the other cars/trucks we've owned. Just washing it is faster because of the round design. The huge windshield is wonderful in all the New Beetles EXCEPT for the 2011. After getting used to the large windshield and the huge view of everything, all other cars make me feel too confined. I was going to buy a 2011 VW New Beetle for myself this year, and give my 2001 Beetle to my teenage son. When I saw the "new look" of the 2011, I said, "forget it, I hate it." I'm going to wait until 2012, and hopefully, they will have gone back to the round design by then. If not, I'll either buy a 2010 model or older, or another type of car altogether.
WHY??? I love my 2008 Beetle and will NEVER buy the new Volkswagen (this new one shouldn't be called a beetle because it isn't!!! You are making a HUGE MISTAKE!!!
The design is crappy. Make the beetle electric but keep the original VW New Beetle shape & style.
This Beetle is WAAAYYY hotter than the last one. I am a 30 year old guy, and I would consider buying one now. It still looks like a Beetle, too. Anyone who says it doesn't is blind.
Look like a PT cruiser. VW fianlly sold out on its finest product. I'd rather buy a Mazda Miatta.
This decades long beyond uber iconic car has been destroyed. The new body shape is DOA!
I wouldn't even look at one for fear I'd go blind.
The Germans are not stupid but they really blew it. This kills this uber iconic car, period. And once you kill something you never get it back. Look for the Beetle to be out of production within two years. Bastards.
I love it!! Think about getting one now.
I really like the round look better looks more cute:)
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