Author Topic: 2012 VW beetle MK3 (Read 22955 times)

Ontariodriver · « **on:** July 03, 2009, 12:35:07 pm »

New details on the VW 2011 beetle.

Quote

Beetlemania is coming: VW plans a "new" New Beetle -- and a baby Bug
July 03, 2008
By Todd Lassa

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0809_volkswagen_new_beetle/index.html

Yes, Deadheads, there is an MkII New Beetle. It's being developed on the sixth-generation Golf platform and may appear as a 2011 model. And Volkswagen's strategy for the iconic retromobile may extend even to adapting the Beetle's distinctive style to a North American version of the Up! minicar.

First, Volkswagen of America has confirmed it will import a version of the sixth-generation Golf. We'll have two models. The "base" Golf becomes the Golf GT, indicating VW plans to go upmarket again and get out of the $15,000 entry-car business here, at least for models imported from Europe. VW also will import the MkVI GTI, with both versions headed here about 2010.

The new New Beetle will come off that platform, in the 2010, or more likely, the 2011 calendar year and will include a hybrid version. VW would be smart, in fact, to make the MkII New Beetle hybrid-only, as its distinctive style lends it the same kind of instant recognition as the Toyota Prius. VW of America hasn't officially confirmed the next New Beetle, saying only that it's under study. But what does it need to study? Even with sales sliding to the low 30,000s as the current model has aged, it's selling at twice the rate of Golf/GTI sales in the U.S.

Then comes the North American version of the Up!, which made its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt show. VW is rumored to be considering a Beetle-style version of the rear-engine, monobox/hatchback concept. Makes sense, since American consumers remain more nostalgic for the Beetle than they are practical about boxy hatchbacks. What's more, J Mays designed his Concept 1, for the 1994 Detroit show, to be built on the smaller Polo platform, not the Golf platform, so we know that adaptation of the New Beetle style to a smaller car is far from impossible.

Two distinct new (or New) Beetles amounts to a sub-brand for Volkswagen, which sold just 231,000 cars and trucks here last year. With the warm, fuzzy feeling people already have for the People's Car, positioning this sub-brand as highly fuel-efficient could be the best strategy VW has had for the U.S. market in a long time.

ovr50 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2009, 12:39:36 pm »

Geez, rather ugly and not in tune with the previous Beetle IMO.

Some cars are hard to "improve", this is one of them. Leave it be.

BlackS40 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2009, 12:40:27 pm »

Nice to see that they're not going to kill it off, though.

Thinking Out Loud · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2009, 12:47:56 pm »

They need to find a way to incorporate the bulbous orange turn signals onto the top of the front fenders like the originals.

Looks like they are paying homage to the old round tin-cap wheel covers on the silver one...

dr_spock · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2009, 12:51:00 pm »

Are those actual VW designs?

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2009, 12:57:47 pm »

That story is dated July 3 2008

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2009, 01:07:36 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on July 03, 2009, 12:57:47 pm

That story is dated July 3 2008

I know I check everywhere on here. Nobody seemed to know about it. so it's new story on here.....I only noticed the story when i was looking to see if the Fiat 500 was similar to the beetle...still news worthy tho......

vdk · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2009, 01:29:18 pm »

It's way too edgy to make it into production like that.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2009, 01:42:39 pm »

Quote from: vdk on July 03, 2009, 01:29:18 pm

It's way too edgy to make it into production like that.

Very square in the roofline as well as that odd kick-up at the C-pillar.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:15:58 am »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on July 03, 2009, 01:42:39 pm

Quote from: vdk on July 03, 2009, 01:29:18 pm
It's way too edgy to make it into production like that.
Very square in the roofline as well as that odd kick-up at the C-pillar.

That's A bit 80's.

I think the yellow beetle is what it will more than likely be.....

Frontier1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:34:50 am »

Sorry people, I like it, nice evolution.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:29:06 am »

I like the passenger cabin, but I'm not the straight edges and boxy top half meld with the bulbous, rounded fenders and lower half. Seems a bit confused. But I do like the direction they've taken, especially as a Beetle spin-off.

I do think the yellow one is more likely, though.

Maybe VW could sell a Beetle Bubble, with an entirely glass top half. That would be something else...

Ice · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:43:14 am »

Design wise I think the silver one has more potential if the hood, roofline, and rear window angles can be made to compliment each other. Right now its sort of a mess but I think it has potential.

Wetson · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2009, 09:27:11 am »

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:39:48 pm »

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/257995/new_beetle_spied_almost_undisguised.html

dr_spock · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:23:37 pm »

Not sure if I like the new design. Seems a bit like a recycled 1st gen Audi TT.

dkaz · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:52:30 pm »

I like it, looks closer to the original Beetles than the MKI New Beetle.

Erik · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:20:15 pm »

Looks like a Beetle to me.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:27:32 pm »

Quote from: DKaz on October 06, 2010, 06:52:30 pm

I like it, looks closer to the original Beetles than the MKI New Beetle.

Agree, like this one better. Good job VW!

TopGun · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:31:00 pm »

What a waste of development dollars as this doesn't look much different to me. I guess it was true what many said about retro cars - What do you do with them when it comes time for a redesign?

Kinda makes sense just to keep tweaking it if it works (911, Mustang) or trash it if it doesn't work anymore or never did (T-Bird, PT Cruiser, Bug).

Ha ha...look at what was posted while I was writing...beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder.

Quote from: PJungnitsch on October 06, 2010, 11:27:32 pm

Agree, like this one better. Good job VW!