Autoblog

VW recalls 2012-2013 Beetle models with leather seats over airbags

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen is recalling 2,471 Beetle models over faulty occupant control modules in the front passenger seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if the seat in certain 2012 and 2013 model year vehicles gets wet, the module may malfunction and may not detect the presence of a child restraint. If that happens, the airbag will not shut off and will deploy in the event of a collision. Such a scenario could greatly increase the risk of serious child injury.

As a remedy, Volkswagen technicians will replace the control modules free of charge. The automaker hasn't released a schedule of when the recall will begin, but owners can expect to be notified of the campaign soon. You can view the official NHTSA recall notice below for more information.

Earlier this year, Volkswagen recalled 83 2012 Beetle models for being equipped with the wrong tires.

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VW recalls 2012-2013 Beetle models with leather seats over airbags originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen building Beetle Shark Cage in honor of Shark Week [w/video]

Chris Tutor — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:14:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Humor

What do sharks and the Volkswagen Beetle have in common? No, this isn't a joke. We can't really come up with any uncontrived correlations, but that isn't stopping VW from being the title sponsor of Discovery Channel's 25th annual Shark Week.

But, apparently, VW and Discovery also had some difficulty relating a small, German hatchback to a large, voracious, man-eating fish.

"When Volkswagen approached us asking, what's the next big thing we have going on this year that they can align with, Shark Week was a natural choice," said Scott Felenstein, SVP-ad sales, Discovery Channel in a story on AdAge.com. "Shark Week is Discovery's Super Bowl."

"The biggest task for us was how to integrate VW and Shark Week without it just being tacked on," said Scott Clark in the same story. He's one of the creative directors for the project at Interpublic Group's Deutsch. "We tried to find the similarities between sharks and the Beetle, but there weren't a lot. Instead we took the fun and playfulness of the Beetle on land and brought it under water."

So how do you work Beetle into Shark Week? With a wireframe Beetle shark cage, of course!

"We wanted the integration to be authentic and fit naturally with the Volkswagen brand, imprinting our signature style on Shark Week," said Justin Osborne, general manager, marketing communications, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Beetle shark cage plays on the silhouettes of two of the most iconic images, the shark fin and the Volkswagen Beetle."

VW's press release says the "Volkswagen Beetle Shark Observation Cage" will "put viewers in the driver's seat as it cruises along the ocean floor."

Check out the full press release and video below.

Continue reading Volkswagen building Beetle Shark Cage in honor of Shark Week [w/video]

Volkswagen building Beetle Shark Cage in honor of Shark Week [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Butch new Volkswagen Beetle earning more man love

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Volkswagen

Guys never seemed to warm up to the Volkswagen New Beetle, and it doesn't take a dual master's degree in psychology and automotive design to figure out why. The outgoing Beetle featured sheetmetal that could only be described as cutesy, and many (most?) men tend to shy away from vehicles that might result in the questioning of their manhood.

Only 29 percent of New Beetle sales went to men, but Bloomberg reports that a more masculine design has put the 2012 Beetle back on dudes' shopping lists. Since the Beetle went on sale in September, men have accounted for a much more robust 43 percent of overall sales. In general, men also appear to be quite fond of diesel power, as dudes accounted for 70 percent of oil-burning models. This suggests Volkswagen's announcement of a 2013 Beetle TDI arriving later this summer could boost the VW's male contingency even further.

The more chiseled redesign is, of course, credited for the Beetle's newfound male suitors, and commercials geared towards a male audience likely haven't hurt. But while the Beetle has been more appealing to men while selling better than the old model, we're guessing Volkswagen would like to see immense improvement from February's 1,303 units sold.

Butch new Volkswagen Beetle earning more man love originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen puts a twist on its Beetle Super Bowl ad

Zach Bowman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Humor

Volkswagen has released an extended version of its Super Bowl ad ahead of the Big Game, and it may not be what you expected. While the automaker's teaser hinted toward yet another Star Wars-themed spot after the success of last year's "The Force," the new commercial focuses instead on a pudgy puppy named Bolt. The advertisement's tagline is "Back and better than ever," and Bolt enters into a fitness montage set to some excellent James Brown tunes in order to slim down and chase after the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

There isn't a single Star Wars reference throughout the whole clip, which may leave fans wondering exactly what that whole chorus of dogs barking in tune to the Empire's theme in the Volkswagen teaser was about. We won't spoil the twist for you, but we will say the 2012 Super Bowl ad heads toward a wretched hive of scum and villainy pretty quickly. Hit the jump for the video, as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen puts a twist on its Beetle Super Bowl ad

Volkswagen puts a twist on its Beetle Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 2012 Volkswagen Beetle ads are slap-happy

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:04:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volkswagen

Volkswagen ad shop Deutsch has prepped the first round of videos to promote the new Beetle, and there's a whole lotta ~~shakin'~~ high-fivin' goin' on. Set to Shirley Ellis' "The Clapping Song," the first spot shows the driver of a 2012 Bug needs to be on call for hand jiving. You'll find three of the new commercials after the jump, as well as the original "Black Betty" Super Bowl spot that's been tweaked to reveal the coupe at the end.

Continue reading First 2012 Volkswagen Beetle ads are slap-happy

First 2012 Volkswagen Beetle ads are slap-happy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volkswagen Beetle pricing at a glimpse

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Those of you who read our First Drive of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo already know that the highest-performing version of the iconic Bug will require you to write a check for $23,395*. Step up to the well-received six-speed DSG transmission and you'll be looking at a $24,495 window sticker.

Not interested in the tire-squealing performance promised by a turbocharged engine? Base model Beetles, equipped with the 170-horsepower 2.5-liter MPI inline five-cylinder engine, start at $18,995 with VW's age-old five-speed manual gearbox. Step up to the Tiptronic six-speed auto for $20,895.

There will be three versions of the Beetle, whether it's equipped with the base engine or the turbo: Base, Sunroof and Sunroof, Sound and Navi. A top-shelf 2.0T with the panoramic sunroof, Fender hi-fi sound system and navigation will start at $27,995 with the manual gearbox or $29,095 with DSG.

At some unannounced point in 2012, Volkswagen will begin offering the Beetle with its 2.0-liter TDI engine with 140 horses and 236 lb-ft of torque. VW estimates that it will be the most efficient Beetle ever, scoring 40 miles per gallon highway, 29 mpg city, and 33 mpg combined.

Want a full rundown of all the prices and option packages? Find it in the press release pasted after the break.

(*All prices exclude $770 for destination)

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Beetle pricing at a glimpse

2012 Volkswagen Beetle pricing at a glimpse originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

Matt Davis — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen, First Drives

Getting Back To Being A Credible Car For The Times

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen's choice of Berlin for the launch of its 2012 Beetle inevitably struck us Yanks as curious - and not just because of the horrible abundance of construction projects in the city that makes driving a relative concept at best. The last time a Beetle was unveiled to massive acclaim in Berlin was 1938 and, well, you can finish that story for us. What is most pertinent in that remark, however, is how the original Beetle transcended politics and worldwide upheaval to thrive on its own merits.

The original Volkswagen Beetle sold over 21.5 million cars worldwide, with almost a quarter of those sales coming from the United States. More recently, our roads have been clogged with the 1998-2011 "Type 1C" New Beetle. We have our lingering opinions on the merits of that outgoing car, but regardless, it sold 1.2 million units globally - a figure not to be sniffed at. That said, if we're being honest, it was never a particularly serious and significant car for its times, despite all of the initial hubbub. We always wanted much, much more from a model whose original had succeeded in marking an entire era of rebellion and liberation. To be honest, though, we in the U.S. have been hoping for much, much more from Volkswagen as a company since long before the New Beetle.

Well, we're finally getting some of what we've been asking for. Volkswagen North America has Wolfsburg's undivided attention at last, and this "A5" Beetle is targeted squarely at the U.S. market. How will it resonate with 21st-century American buyers? Can it rival the Mini Cooper? Supplant the love we're cultivating for the Fiat 500? Steal sales from larger volume and less image-heavy cars like the Ford Focus and Mazda3? So much is yet to be discovered.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno drives world's oldest and newest Volkswagen Beetle in Wolfsburg

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Volkswagen, Celebrities

Jay Leno drives new and old VW Beetles - Click above to view video after the jump

Jay Leno's job rules. Besides earning him enough scratch to buy and maintain just about anything he feels like in his now-famous garage, auto manufacturers are seemingly more than willing to jet him around the globe to sample their cars.

This time, it's the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, the arched-roof recipient of a top-to-bottom redesign. To give the story a little historical context, Leno drives VW's latest back-to-back with a 1938 Beetle, the oldest in existence. Needless to say, Jay was duly impressed with both cars (bonus points for anyone who can correctly tell us how many times he says "iconic"), but, and here's a shocker, Leno figures he'd rather drive the 2012 model on a daily basis. Watch the late-night talk show Bug out after the jump.

Continue reading Jay Leno drives world's oldest and newest Volkswagen Beetle in Wolfsburg

Jay Leno drives world's oldest and newest Volkswagen Beetle in Wolfsburg originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clarkson gets nostalgic (in his way) about VW's new Beetle

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen, Celebrities

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jeremy Clarkson certainly has a way with words, and when he applies his wit to a topic the result is quite often an enjoyable reading experience. Clarkson has plied his wit upon the subject of Volkswagen's redesigned 2012 Beetle.

It's no secret that Jeremy and his Top Gear cohorts are not fans of the people's car. Perhaps Volkswagen can change his mind with the newest iteration of its iconic automobile?

Nope. In fact, his choice of descriptive words gets a little blue towards the end of the piece. Sample:

"Launching a modern-day incarnation that has sporty credentials is like launching a modern-day incarnation of the Mona Lisa who's crapping herself laughing."

Hop over to the Top Gear website to read Mr. Clarkson's musings on the reborn icon.

Clarkson gets nostalgic (in his way) about VW's new Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Beetle R headed to Frankfurt Motor Show

Chris Paukert — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res gallery

Volkswagen has been positioning its forthcoming 2012 Beetle as more masculine and more of a driver's car, and while we've yet to get the chance to drive one, we continue to hear promising rumors emanating from both within and beyond Wolfsburg about the reimagined icon's newfound athleticism.

If the sort of dynamic goodness has been baked-in that we've been lead to believe, we're right for getting even more excited about a promised R variation. Car and Driver is reporting that the higher-performance Beetle will bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and predictably enough, it will arrive with an uprated version of the 2.0-liter turbo already slung in between the Beetle Turbo's bulbous fenders. In that model, the force-fed four produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, but the R is expected to offer significantly more chutzpah. How much more? We can't be sure, but the pending Golf R, which uses the same engine, generates 270 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque overseas (it's also due in the U.S. shortly). C/D thinks that the Beetle R won't receive the Golf's all-wheel-drive system for cost reasons, however, so we'd expect a decrease in power in order to avoid excessive torque steer.

According to the story, there's word that VW is considering building a Beetle R Cabriolet, as well. We'd normally be skeptical of the chances for such a specialized model to ever see the States, but VW has already confirmed that it will sell a TDI diesel-powered Beetle convertible in North America, so at this point, we're not going to rule anything out.

Volkswagen Beetle R headed to Frankfurt Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen rolls out new Beetle with Black Turbo Launch Edition [UPDATE]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition - Click above for high-res image

The upcoming 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is being billed as a substantial departure from the cutesy car it replaces. And if you've been waiting for your chance to put your name down for one of the first examples to hit the road, here it is.

Called the Black Turbo Launch Edition, this limited-run Volkswagen will represent the first 600 examples of the new Beetle to hit American dealerships. Packing a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI inline-four with dual-clutch transmission, the launch edition is distinguished by such touches as 18-inch alloys packing upsized brakes with red calipers, a rear spoiler, foglights, and includes an interior bundled with tri-color ambient lighting, Bluetooth and iPod connection, eight-speaker sound system, an extra glovebox, aluminum-alloy pedals and sport seats upholstered in cloth. ~~(Although VW hadn't released specific images of the Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition as we went to press, it should look like the one pictured above.)~~

The special Beetle is the first model to use Volkswagen's new Vehicle Pre-Order (VPO) program, available for pre-order online now for a $495 refundable reservation fee that will be applied to the purchase price of $24,950, plus a $770 destination charge. Details are in the press release after the jump.

UPDATE: The nearly-identical new image we've added above is the official shot of the Black Turbo Launch Edition. Follow the link to the pre-order site for more.

Continue reading Volkswagen rolls out new Beetle with Black Turbo Launch Edition [UPDATE]

Volkswagen rolls out new Beetle with Black Turbo Launch Edition [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen prices 2012 Beetle from $18,995*

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle at the New York Auto Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has officially announced pricing for the 2012 Beetle. Buyers will be able to hop behind the wheel of the base car equipped with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine for $18,995 (*$19,765 including $770 in destination charges). When equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the EPA estimates that the engine should be good for 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

Models equipped with the optional 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder can look forward to a price tag closer to $23,395 and 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway when equipped with the optional DSG gearbox. That extra coin will also buy consumers a host of kit, including Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, larger brakes with red calipers, a spoiler and metal pedals among other niceties.

Curiously, Volkswagen hasn't yet announced pricing on models equipped with the 40 mpg highway 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine. With 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, VW says the engine will make the 2012 Beetle the most efficient car in the nameplate's history.

Buyers will be able to choose from just three trim levels, and we're happy to report that the excellent Fender audio system we sampled on the 2012 Passat will also be available on the 2012 Beetle. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen prices 2012 Beetle from $18,995*

Volkswagen prices 2012 Beetle from $18,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every new VW Beetle will be a second-generation design

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Volkswagen, Design/Style

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen made a big deal about having the original Beetle in the studio when the designers went to work on the 2012 Beetle, so at the 2011 New York Auto Show, we spoke to Rainer Michel, vice president of product marketing and strategy for VW of America, about why that decision was so important.

"What we did in '98 was the right car for that time," he said, "but this one is more true to the design of the original," a design philosophy that is apparent in items like the decreased rake of the A-pillar and the flattened line of the roof that descends further back and more cleanly into the bumper.

And Michel said that the next time they redesign the Beetle, they'll again return to the source. "We went back to the original and did a design based on that, and when we do the next one we'll go back to the original. Maybe we'll go in a different direction, but it comes from the original." The idea is that the third generation of the New Beetle won't be a redesign of the current car, it will be another modernized version of the original.

As to the increased masculinity of the 2012 Beetle, Michel said, "The last car was about 60/40 female to male." He intimated he'd be happy with a 50/50 split, but what was more important to him was getting away from that concern at all. "We wanted a car with good interior space, more shoulder room and head clearance, a car which accommodates passengers nicely and has a range of powertrains," he said. "The car shouldn't depend on any demographics."

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: New York 2011

Every new VW Beetle will be a second-generation design originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai

Dan Roth — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:09:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #226 features Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Dan Roth and AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley. We start with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and then talk about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Staying with the auto show theme, we talk about the Buick Envision that has shown up in Shanghai. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we've embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai Auto Shows

In the Autoblog Garage:
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
2011 Dodge Avenger Heat

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Guest: David Kiley

Runtime: 01:23:12

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Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen gives price points for 2012 Beetle, targets Mini

Matt Davis — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Budget, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle reveal in NYC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Elaborating on our previous details from the New York unveiling of the 2012 much-altered Beetle, Volkswagen North America CEO Jonathan Browning has told Autoblog, "We're aiming to essentially go after the Mini so far as market positioning and price offerings."

That means a price range from $20,000 to $24,000 when the coupe launches worldwide in late September, and between $25,000 and $29,000 for the 2013 convertible. These price ranges take into account the three engines on offer at the start of deliveries: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, 2.0-liter TDI diesel, and 200-hp 2.0-liter TFSI. There's no telling what the price will be on the hot Beetle R foreseen for mid-2013 with the newest 261-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four from the Scirocco R, much less the rumored 337-hp Beetle RS with turbo inline five "W28" engine for 2014.

Wheels available at launch will range from a standard 17-inch set to optional 18-inch and 19-inch, the latter set being the size shown on all of the Beetles that you'll see in our photos from the 2011 New York Auto Show.

VW global branding boss Luca De Meo tells us, "We want to avoid the almost total lack of rollout planning that the former New Beetle suffered. That car had a couple of pretty good years and then it fell dramatically. We want to keep offering new things that are significant this time around so as to keep the car fresh."

Though Volkswagen could rely on its vast worldwide manufacturing network to build the Beetle for Western Europe, China, and North America, bosses in New York say that all Beetle manufacturing will remain exclusively at the Puebla, Mexico plant.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: New York 2011

Volkswagen gives price points for 2012 Beetle, targets Mini originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: VW updates Black Betty Beetle commercial

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Videos, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above to view video after the jump

Volkswagen teased its vastly redesigned 2012 Beetle during the Super Bowl this year, with a spot featuring a black beetle outrunning all the other bugs in the forest. At the end, VW gave us a look at the silhouette of the reshaped Beetle, but that was it. Now, the video has been recut to show the public the all-new Beetle in full regalia.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle was unveiled publicly for the first time this week, simultaneously debuting at the New York Auto Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and in Berlin. Though the car looks like a slightly reshaped version of the outgoing New Beetle, the real changes are under the car's skin.

In an apparent attempt to get away from the cutesy image the New Beetle has gained since it went on sale in 1998, VW completely threw out the old design and started from scratch. The result is a longer, wider and more spacious Beetle, which VW says hearkens back to the car's rugged, fun to drive, utilitarian origins.

Added to that, VW tried to make the car more masculine, adding a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter four cylinder, bigger wheels and a Fender sound system. Click past the jump to see the reedited commercial.

[Source: YouTube via Volkswagen]

Continue reading Video: VW updates Black Betty Beetle commercial

Video: VW updates Black Betty Beetle commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: High-performance VW Beetle R confirmed for U.S.

Chris Shunk — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is fresh off its global unveiling earlier today, and the good-looking hatch appears to be dead serious about appealing to the masses. Volkswagen will offer the Beetle with diesel and petrol powerplants and a convertible is expected to arrive for the 2013 model year.

Good stuff, but what about red-blooded enthusiasts? The German automaker could have simply pointed out the availability of the 2.0T model as the driver's Beetle, but Team VW apparently has bigger and hopefully better plans. Car and Driver is reporting that VW has officially announced that a high-performance Beetle R will be available for U.S. consumption. C/D points out that the last Beetle also came in a hi-po RSi variant, though the hatchback was a Euro-only affair and it was a complete bust.

We're more hopeful for the Beetle R, if only because the Beetle is more attractive and far more masculine in appearance than its predecessor. It could help, too, if VW offers the high-output 2.0T as the powertrain of choice. Under the hood of the Golf R, the boosted powerplant cranks out 265 horsepower, which should be more than enough motivation to make the Beetle R feel like a hot hatch star.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: High-performance VW Beetle R confirmed for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: VW Beetle live reveal

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another icon has gone under the knife and emerged, well, only slightly differently iconic, but the changes made to the 2012 Beetle are only superficially slight. Volkswagen global marketing director Luca de Meo says of the car that was revealed simultaneously in New York, Berlin and Shanghai, "We worked on the entire packaging of the car, engine, trunk, interior, everything." Take a close look at it, and it's clear.

Marketing guru de Meo says VW laid out three objectives for the new hatchback: Bring back the spirit of the original, i.e., make it affordable, tough, and easy to use; reconnect with the emotion of the car; and bring the shape and concept of the original into the 21st century.

To achieve all that, Volkswagen's head of design, Klaus Bischoff, says they threw everything from the current Beetle out the window and had an original Beetle in the studio when they started the redesign in 2007. Working from those vintage cues, the 2012 car is stretched everywhere: it's 150 millimeters longer, 3.2 inches wider, and has a wider track. The bonnet is longer, a look exacerbated by the cabin being pushed back and the windshield being more upright and closer to the driver. The finished product even looks different compared to the car we saw in spy shots back in January.

Continue reading New York 2011: VW Beetle live reveal...

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Continue reading New York 2011: VW Beetle live reveal

New York 2011: VW Beetle live reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming to America: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is all-new without the pretense *UPDATE

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Videos, Volkswagen, Diesel

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Those lucky Oprah fans who were fortunate enough to be given a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle all those months ago now know what their new set of wheels will look like. Volkswagen has officially yanked back the sheets on the latest take on the 2012 Beetle. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the German automaker says that the vehicle's designers were inspired by the lines of the original Beetle. As a result, there's more than a little Ragster Concept thrown into the mix with a longer roof line and a more aggressively-raked windshield.

The look isn't quite what we expected after seeing spy shots of the car frolicking around in the sun. It would seem VW pulled a fast one on us by fitting the 2012 mule with last-generation taillights at the time, as the new one features larger magnet-like units that give the 2012 model's rump a radically different look.

The production vehicle boasts seating for four, though the back bench can be folded to allow for more cargo room in a pinch. European buyers will have their choice of four engines ranging from an efficient 1.2-liter gasoline mill to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel. At this point, it isn't yet official which exactly which of those will make their way across the Pond, but we're guessing all three, as VW has previously stated that it will bring a TDI to the States - and even offer it in a Cabriolet model.

The 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine delivers around 105 horsepower while returning 65.7 mpg on the EU scale thanks to a start/stop and intelligent battery regeneration system. That equals out to around 54 mpg on the U.S. cycle, though the EPA may have something different to say should the oil burner show up in the States.

On the more entertaining end of the spectrum, Volkswagen is also offering the 2012 Beetle with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with around 200 horsepower. Like the Golf GTI, that powerplant will benefit from a transmission with an XDS electronic differential lock as standard equipment.

The new Beetle will debut this week at the Shanghai Motor Show and also at the New York Auto Show, so expect live shots and feedback from us shortly.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

*UPDATE: Videos added after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Coming to America: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is all-new without the pretense *UPDATE

Coming to America: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is all-new without the pretense *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #224: Tesla and Top Gear fight, new Beetle, M5, Galibier and Hemi Wrangler

Dan Roth — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., BMW, Bugatti, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show, Tesla

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #224 is here. It's staffed this week by stalwarts Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman and Dan Roth. We talk about Top Gear and its ongoing fight with Tesla Motors, Volkswagen's decision to unveil the latest Beetle with MTV as a partner, the new BMW M5 Concept headed for Shanghai, Bugatti saying "go" to the Galibier and the possibility of a Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we've embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #224: Tesla and Top Gear fight, new Beetle, M5, Galibier and Hemi Wrangler

In the Autoblog Garage:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 01:15:17

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Autoblog Podcast #224: Tesla and Top Gear fight, new Beetle, M5, Galibier and Hemi Wrangler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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