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| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle |
Volkswagen revealed the “21st Century Beetle” today and we are
absolutely in love. Here’s the press release with all the details:
Automotive Icon Gets a Major 21st Century Update
When the first Beetle rolled off the production line, it was called
simply the Volkswagen — “the people’s car” — but its distinctive shape
inspired nicknames across the globe: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle,
Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫! In total, 21.5 million cars were sold.
More than 60 years later, in 1998, the “New Beetle” rekindled the
spirit and imagination of the original to a new generation of Volkswagen
owners. The second generation version sparked another round of
uplifting and joyous enthusiasm known as Beetle Mania.
Today, the Beetle opens a new chapter in its remarkable story. The
third generation of the internationally beloved Beetle is celebrating a
transcontinental world debut simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New
York.
Updating an icon
Only someone who knows and respects the Beetle’s heritage could
produce a new generation of this storied vehicle. The task for
Volkswagen engineers was clear. They had to develop a modern
interpretation of the Beetle, with all the benefits of today’s
technologies and efficiencies, and the driving characteristics that
define the Volkswagen brand. The result had to remain affordable and
stay true to the Beetle’s spirit and great heritage.
The design of the new Beetle presented another challenge. How does
one reinvent a look that is so recognizable and unique? Volkswagen Group
Design Chief Walter de Silva and Volkswagen Brand Design Chief, Klaus
Bischoff, welcomed the task and set an ambitious objective: “Design a
new original!”
The designers wanted to develop the new car around the earliest
Beetle profile rather than the 1998 New Beetle. They wanted a car that
respects the past but looks toward the future. And that is what they
created.
Exterior
The 2012 Beetle is an automotive icon reinvented. Placing the
original Beetle and the 21st Century Beetle next to one another, it’s
clear that the lines of the rear sections are nearly identical, but the
overall look is bolder and more dynamic. The Beetle also breaks free of
the design geometry defined by three semi-circles (front wing, rear
wing, domed roof above it).
“The Beetle is now characterized by a clean, self-confident and
dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it is also
substantially wider, the front hood is longer, the front windshield is
shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. All of this creates
a new dynamism,” explains Klaus Bischoff.
The 2012 Beetle is 71.2 inches wide (3.3 inches wider), 58.5 inches
tall (.5 inches lower) and 168.4 inches long (6 inches longer). The new
focal point is the C-pillar. The development team also increased the
car’s track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the Beetle a
powerful appearance with muscular tension.
Another feature is the rear spoiler that is integrated into the
design (standard on 2.0L TSI engines with 200 hp). The top surface of
the rear spoiler is black, while the underside is painted in body color.
The Beetle is sportier, offering both turbo-charged TDI® Clean Diesel
and turbo-charged gasoline engines, in addition to dual exhaust,
performance-handling packages, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and new,
sleeker styling. Volkswagen will offer a panoramic roof, a range of
audio options, including the Fender® Premium Audio System, and a
customization program for the 2012 Beetle with a large number of
personalization options, including a wide variety of colors and wraps
along with an annual theme model.
Interior
The 21st Century Beetle offers an agile, driver-oriented coupe
experience with a quality of materials that goes beyond all class
limits. The car’s styling, ergonomics and quality interact to create a
new, friendly car with a highly individual nature.
The shape and use of color in the painted or carbon-look dashboards harkens back to the design of the first Beetle.
Three round instrument gauges are arranged in front of the driver
(tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) providing all key information at a
glance. A multifunction display is integrated in the speedometer in
middle position. The steering wheel is specially designed with optional
painted accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line.
Framed by two air vents, the selected audio/navigation system is
optimally located in the driver’s visual field on the dashboard. Within
easy reach, climate controls are situated just below.
Similar to the original Beetle, the new car has an extra glove box
integrated into the dash. The lid folds upward, while the standard glove
box opens downward. Another classic feature: the optional auxiliary
instruments above the selected audio/navigation system: oil temperature,
clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge.
The “cathedral ceiling” dome roof of the New Beetle has been replaced
with a sleek and sporty roofline. Front and rear passenger headroom
remains plentiful. In the rear seating area, the longer roof section
results in more space. The trunk is significantly larger, offering 10.9
cubic feet of space. A split-folding rear seat and a wide opening trunk
lid ease loading and unloading.
Engine and Transmission
The 2012 Beetle will offer three engines: the 2.5L gasoline five
cylinder, the 2.0L TDI® Clean Diesel and the 2.0L TSI® turbocharged
gasoline engine. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual or
optional 6-speed automatic on 2.5L models. Volkswagen’s acclaimed DSG®
6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered on the TDI Clean Diesel
and 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline models, while a 6-speed manual will
come standard.
The 2012 Beetle 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel is the most fuel-efficient
Beetle ever. The quiet, four cylinder 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine
produces 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft of torque. It meets all U.S. emission
limits and offers manufacturer estimates of 40 mpg highway, 29 mpg city,
and 33 mpg combined.
Fuel economy values are also improved up to 10 percent over prior
2.5L five cylinder engine models. Mated to a 5-speed manual
transmission, it offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg
highway. The optional 6-speed automatic offers manufacturer estimates
of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. The five cylinder engine produces 170 hp
and 177 lb.-ft of torque.
The Beetle 2.0L TSI is the sportiest model offered. With 200 hp and
207 lb.-ft of torque, power delivery will remain smooth and direct
across the rpm range. The four cylinder turbo engine is estimated to
provide 30 mpg highway fuel economy. To ensure that power is applied
properly in challenging conditions, the 2.0L TSI model features the XDS®
cross differential (limited-slip) system. The system electronically
monitors input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage,
transfers extra torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction.
Premium Features
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will be available in two trim lines
“Design” and “Sport.” Each has a unique character. The Beetle can also
be customized with a wide choice of optional features. Key features
include:
·
Radio-CD and radio-navigation systems. Standard in
the Beetle is the RCD 310 sound system with 8 speakers (includes dual
tuner). The premium 8 top audio system is the RCD 510 with integrated CD
changer, interface for SD cards and touchscreen.
For the first time ever, navigation will be offered in the Beetle,
with the RNS 315 featuring a 5-inch touchscreen, CD player and SD card
slot.
·
Panoramic roof. The transparent, panoramic
tilt/slide glass sunroof is 80 percent larger than on the previous
model. The insulating glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92
percent of heat energy.
·
Fender Premium Audio System. The 2012 Beetle will
also offer concert quality sound with an optional Fender Premium Audio
System equipped with an additional subwoofer and 400 watts of output
power. Embedded in the vehicle design is proprietary Panasonic® speaker
technology. The system covers the cabin with directional sound from
front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of
traditional speaker designs. It cuts through the noise and other
distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range
for all musical genres. Those choosing this sound system also receive
adjustable interior ambiance lighting.
·
Keyless Access. Volkswagen’s automatic keyless
entry and starting system, which allows the driver to operate without a
door or ignition key, is appearing for the first time in the Beetle.
When one of the front door handles is touched, the system detects access
authorization from a transmitter, then unlocks the Beetle and starts
the engine with the push of a button.
·
BI-XENONTM headlights and LED daytime running lights. For
the first time, the Beetle will be offered with Bi-xenon headlights.
These will be available on future Beetle models, framing the xenon
module on the outer perimeters of the headlights and serving as the
daytime running lights and parking lights.
Safety
The 2012 Beetle features both active and passive safety. It includes
Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates
automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the
electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the
hazard lights switch on.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, as are driver and
front passenger airbags and Side Curtain Protection® airbags in front
and rear.
The 21st Century Beetle is also covered under the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program.
All scheduled maintenance is covered for the length of the New
Vehicle Warranty – three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Additionally, all current Volkswagen vehicles use synthetic oil, which,
when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, eliminates the
need for a 5,000 mile oil change, and allows owners to go farther
between scheduled oil changes.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in
Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in
Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers
of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. VWoA sells the Eos,
Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan
through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2011 Volkswagen
vehicles come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle
safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America
online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.
Key facts summary
·
Name: The Beetle
·
World debut: April 18, 2011
·
Market launch, North America: September / October 2011
·
Market launch, Europe: October / November 2011
·
Market launch, Asia: February 2012
·
Equipment lines: “Design” and “Sport”
·
Engine specifications: 2.5L 5-cylinder (170hp/177lbs.-ft); 2.0L TDI (140hp/236lbs.-ft); 2.0L TSI (200 hp/207 lbs.-ft)
All US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV
·
Fuel economy (combined) USA: 33 mpg* (2.0 TDI® Clean Diesel) [Manufacturer’s estimate. EPA estimates not available at time of publication.]
·
Debut of original Beetle: 1938
·
Debut of New Beetle: 1998
·
Total units built to date: more than 22.5 million
·
Designers: Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff
(Brand), Exterior: Marc Lichte (team leader), Cris Lesmana, Nisan
Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski (team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour
and trim: Oona Scheepers (team leader), Susanne Gerken
·
Exterior dimensions: 168.4 in. Length; 72.1 in. Width; 58.5 in. Height; 99.8 in. wheelbase
We’ve got quite the lineup planned for our Norman Music Festival
booth this Saturday—a sneak peek at the newest Volkswagens, Fender audio
demos, The Spywagon, free music downloads and more! Come see us on the
200 block of Main Street (far southwest corner)!
