Volkswagen Beetle (A5)

Volkswagen Beetle
2012 Volkswagen Beetle (US)
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Also called	Volkswagen The Beetle Volkswagen Coccinelle (France) Volkswagen Maggiolino (Italy) Volkswagen Fusca (Brazil)
Production	2011–present
Assembly	Puebla City, Mexico
Designer	Walter de Silva Marc Lichte
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car (C)
Body style	2-door fastback coupé 2-door cabriolet
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
Related	Volkswagen Golf Mk6
Powertrain
Engine	petrol engines: 1.2 L I4 TSI 1.4 L I4 16-valve TSI 1.8 L I4 16-valve TSI 2.0 L I4 16-valve TSI 2.5 L I5 20-valve diesel engines: 1.6 L I4 TDI 2.0 L I4 TDI
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,537 mm (99.9 in)
Length	4,278 mm (168.4 in)
Width	1,808 mm (71.2 in)
Height	1,486 mm (58.5 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volkswagen New Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle (also sold as the Volkswagen Coccinelle, Volkswagen Maggiolino, Volkswagen Fusca in some countries) is a compact car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model year, as the successor to the New Beetle launched in 1997. It features a lower profile while retaining an overall shape recalling the original Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle.

One of Volkswagen's goals with the model was to give it a more aggressive appearance while giving it some stylistic aspects reminiscent of the Beetle's design.^[1][2] This was an attempt to distance the new model from the Volkswagen New Beetle, produced from 1997 to 2011, which never approached the success of the first Beetle.^[3]

The second generation "new" Beetle shares the "A5" (PQ35) platform with the current generation Volkswagen Jetta and is built alongside the Jetta, Golf Variant and the old Jetta ("Clásico") at Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico.^[4] It is longer than the previous New Beetle at 4,278 mm (168.4 in) and also has a lower profile, 12 mm (0.5 in) lower than its predecessor, and 88 mm (3.5 in) wider. The trunk is now 310 L (11 cu ft), up from 209 L (7.4 cu ft).

A convertible version followed the coupé for the 2013 model year, first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2012 when it also went on sale.^[5]

Head of Technical Development for VW, Frank Welsch, indicated at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show that this would be the Beetle's final generation.^[6]

On 13 September 2018, Volkswagen announced that the Beetle will cease production in July 2019.^[7]

Launch

Coupe

Convertible

On 22 November 2010, on the final episode of the Oprah's Favorite Things special, Oprah Winfrey and Volkswagen announced every audience member that day would receive one of the Beetles upon its release in 2011. VW staff gave the audience their special keys to the car.^[8] This was followed by a teaser commercial during Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.

To celebrate the global reveal, VW partnered with MTV, to make a debut on three continents on 18 April. The reveal began in Shanghai, China with a MTV Sound System celebration hosted by MTV VJs, followed by MTV World Stage events in Berlin and New York City.^[9]

On 18 April 2011, the 2012 model was unveiled as the Volkswagen Beetle, dropping the word "New" from its name. It debuted at Auto Shanghai and the New York Auto Show.

During the marketing campaign at Mexico, it was advertised as "The new Vocho" (oddly in English) in the "Das Auto" marketing campaign.

Engines

The new model retains the front-engine, front-wheel drive layout of the New Beetle, while improving interior packaging with more room in the rear.^[10] Four-cylinder engine options for the European market are expected to include 1.2-litre (77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp)), 1.4-litre (118 kW (160 PS; 158 bhp)) and 2.0-litre (147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp)) TSI petrol engines, and 1.6-litre (78 kW (106 PS; 105 bhp)) and 2.0-litre (103 kW (140 PS; 138 bhp)) TDI diesel engines. In addition to the 2.0-litre TSI and TDI engines, base North American Beetles were originally fitted with a (125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp)) straight-five engine (engine code CBTA/CBUA) earlier used on the Golf and Jetta.^[4][10][11] From 2015 onward, the 2.5L straight-five was phased out in favor of a 1.8L four-cylinder TSI of comparable horsepower ratings but improved torque ratings over the straight-five.

All engines for this model are offered with an option of a six-speed manual transmission or the option of a dual-clutch DSG automatic. In the United States, transmissions on petrol models come with either a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic on 2.5/1.8T models, while on the diesel models there is the option of a DSG six-speed dual-clutch transmission.^[11]

VW Beetle Turbo Black

Special editions

Interior

Black Turbo launch edition

The first special edition of the 2012 Beetle is the Black Turbo launch edition. It was limited to 600 cars on the U.S. market and will be the first car available through Volkswagen’s new Vehicle Pre-Order program.^[12]

Turbo Black

A Beetle Turbo Black made an appearance at the 30th annual Wörthersee Treffen in June 2011 in Reifnitz, Austria. It was located on the floating barge showcase at the entrance to the show. Other cars on the barge included a Reifnitz Edition GTI and the Touareg Racer. A heavily modified in-house electric-powered Beetle, called E-Bugster, was unveiled at 2012 North American International Auto Show.^[13] Unlike other new Beetles, the E-Bugster is a two-seater instead of 2+2.

Fender Edition

In 2012, Volkswagen partnered with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to release a limited edition Beetle for the 2013 model year. The Beetle Fender Edition uses the Beetle Turbo's front fascia and the 2.5L model's 18" disc wheels. Unique exterior features consist of Fender badges and chrome side mirror covers. The interior features a sunburst dashboard panel that pays homage to the Fender Stratocaster, a 400 watt premium audio system with nine speakers, an LCD screen, and a 10-channel amplifier.^[14]

Xbox special edition

In January 2013 an official Xbox special edition was released. It uses the straight-five 2.5 L (170 HP) and comes in three different colors: Black, White and Silver all of them with the characteristic Xbox colors, panoramic sunroof, rear spoiler and 18" rims. This special edition was available only for the Mexican market.^[15]

GSR Limited Edition

VW Beetle GSR at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

In February 2013 Volkswagen introduced the Beetle GSR Limited Edition. It is painted in yellow and black and only 3,500 will be produced, half of which will be sold in the United States, the other half in Europe. This special edition is modelled after the original 1973 special edition Super Beetle dubbed the GSR or, Gelb Schwarz Renner, Yellow Black Racer in English. The new GSR comes with Volkswagen's new 2.0l turbo four cylinder, this time making an extra 10 horsepower for a total of 210.

R-Line

Volkswagen has started production of a new R-Line Beetle. This new, limited edition trim level comes equipped with the new 210 hp gen3 turbo four, new front fascia and a metal dash plate finished off with 'R' badging all around. Along with increased performance, the new engine is expected to get about 8% greater fuel economy, or around 1–2 more miles per gallon. The engine will be fitted to all Volkswagens that currently use the gen2 2.0l turbo four.^[16]

Dune

A version with a rugged off-road look called the 'Beetle Dune' went on sale in 2016. Although four-wheel drive is not available, the car's suspension has been heightened by 1.4 centimetres (0.55 in) and an exclusive yellow colour is available as an option.^[17][18]

#PinkBeetle

A version with pink accent and exclusive pink color^[19]

53 Edition

A version with red, white and blue stripes running from front to back vertically and 53s on the doors, hood and trunk, made to resemble the paint job of Herbie The Love Bug, is being sold exclusively in Spain.^[20]

Final Edition

The Final Edition is the final version of the model with two colors that were tributes to past Beetle models: Safari Uni Beige and Stonewashed Blue. Three other colors offered are Platinum Grey, Pure White, and Deep Black Pearl. The Final Edition will come in both coupe and convertible body styles. There are two trims: SE and SEL. The model will be available in 2019.^[21]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volkswagen Beetle.

• Official Beetle website at Volkswagen.com