Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-new-beetle-final-edition-los-angeles-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-new-beetle-final-edition-los-angeles-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-new-beetle-final-edition-los-angeles-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Signifying the end of what has been a long run, Volkswagen has introduced "Final Edition" models of the New Beetle coupe and convertible. Each will be limited to a run of just 1,500 units. Under the hood is VW's familiar 2.5-liter inline-fine (rated at 150 horsepower) sending power to the front wheels through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission - nothing new there. However, the German automaker has fitted a full sport suspension and unique 17-inch alloy wheels to each of the New Beetles to add a touch more driving excitement.

Cosmetically, the Final Edition models feature Aquarius Blue paint. The hardtop version breaks up the color with a black roof and integrated fog lights, while the convertible model has a two-tone Aquarius Blue/Campanella White paint scheme and a white top. Special badging is found on the front quarter panel and on the steering wheel. The hatchback version hits showrooms with a base MSRP of $20,240 and the convertible starts at $27,170. Press release after the jump.


Gallery: LA 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Beetle


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models

LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugconverible bugConveribleBugfinal editionFinalEditionlala2009laautoshowlast yearLastYearlimited editionLimitedEditionlos angelesLosAngeleslosangelesautoshownew beetlenew beetle convertibleNew Beetle CoupeNewBeetleNewBeetleConvertibleNewBeetleCoupeWed, 02 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/video-mechanically-inclined-ninja-blows-our-collective-mind/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/video-mechanically-inclined-ninja-blows-our-collective-mind/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/video-mechanically-inclined-ninja-blows-our-collective-mind/#commentsFiled under: ,

You won't believe your eyes - Click above image to watch video after the jump

Years and years ago, we saw punk rock legend Mike Watt break an E-string on his bass during a fIREHOSE show. Without missing a beat, he yanked a new string from beside his amp, slid it through the bridge, tied it around the tuning peg and with a single twist his bass was back in tune. The whole shebang from snapped string to next note took perhaps three seconds and the song never stopped. It was amazing; truly one of the most impressive things we've ever seen. Until today.

You're just going to have watch this to believe it. However, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that if you happen to have an old VW Bug and a screwdriver sitting around, you should totally NOT try this at home, as odds are you'll lose a knuckle or three. Why? You sir, are not superhuman. This guy, however, is. Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind

VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeetleBeltBelt changeBeltChangeBugFan beltFanBeltVolkswagenVolkswagen BeetleVolkswagen BugVolkswagenBeetleVolkswagenBugSat, 14 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Next New Beetle will have bigger back seat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/report-next-new-beetle-will-have-bigger-back-seat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/report-next-new-beetle-will-have-bigger-back-seat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/report-next-new-beetle-will-have-bigger-back-seat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2009 Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

The "New Beetle" was a smash hit when it debuted in 1998, and the cutesy little Bug immediately jumped to sales of 83,434 the next year. Over the next 10 years, however, Volkswagen left the spiritual successor to the original Beetle out to dry, and sales have steadily dropped down to near nothingness. AutoWeek is reporting that Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of VW of America, confirmed at a press event in Germany that a long overdue redesign of the New Beetle is coming in 2012, and packaging will be vastly improved.

The current back seat of the New Beetle is a real problem being far too small and uncomfortable for a vehicle in the small car segment. Jacoby says the next Beetle will have a larger rear quarters and better packaging, without growing much beyond its current dimensions. Jacoby says the Beetle will also be used by VW as a kind of low-cost halo car, showing that the German automaker has returned to its roots of building cars for the people.

It's great that VW is finally getting around to making the next New Beetle, but with 14 years between redesigns, we're thinking VW needs to knock the next little Bug out of the park if it once again wants to catch the eye of the car-buying public.


Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle


[Source: AutoWeek]

REPORT: Next New Beetle will have bigger back seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 beetle2010Beetle2012 beetle2012Beetleback seatBackSeatbeetlebeetle bugBeetleBugbugnew beetlenew beetle rear seatNewBeetleNewBeetleRearSeatvolkswagenvolkswagen beetlevolkswagen new beetleVolkswagenBeetleVolkswagenNewBeetlevwMon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day is just in time for Easter]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-is-just-in-time-for-easter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-is-just-in-time-for-easter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-is-just-in-time-for-easter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the Funny Bunny

The Volo Classic Car Museum in Illinois has this pink treat from the movie Uncle Buck for sale. The Funny Bunny is a Volkswagen Bug that was turned into a mouse that, according to the Volo, has been turned into a bunny. Even though it's got a mouse nose, mouse whiskers, mouse eyes, and mouse ears, it has "a buck tooth bumper" and a white, poofy bunny tail -- but it still comes with the pink mouse tail in case you're really set on a rodent.

The car has been restored and is in great running condition, so sayeth the museum's eBay listing. And you don't have to worry about spending money on it, because "people will pay you to attend their events." If you're looking for attention or an "in" for your local Easter parade, look no further.


Gallery: Bunnymobile


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day is just in time for Easter originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction actionAuctionActionbeetlebugcelebrityebayJohn CandyJohnCandymoviemovie carsMovieCarsmoviesuncle buckUncleBuckvolkswagenvw beetlevw bugVwBeetleVwBugFri, 27 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/golden-oldie-18-karat-vee-dub-in-bucharest/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/golden-oldie-18-karat-vee-dub-in-bucharest/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/golden-oldie-18-karat-vee-dub-in-bucharest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This isn't exactly what the recording industry had in mind when The Beatles went gold for the first time. But then, who would have predicted back then that the Iron Curtain would fall and that Eastern Europe would grow into one of the world's largest markets for tasteless luxury items.

This 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, unveiled at this year's Luxury Show in Bucharest, Romania, is covered in tiles made of glass and 18-karat gold. We'd say if you have to ask, you can't afford it, but it strikes us that the whole point of building or buying something this perversely ostentatious is to flaunt to the world just how much it's worth. In this case, the figure is actually just $88,000.

If you're thinking that eighty-eight grand will buy you a well-equipped Porsche 911, we're not far behind you. But then, whoever would even consider buying something this ridiculous probably has a couple of "ordinary" Porsches lying around the grounds already.

[Source: Luxurylaunches.com]

Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beetlebucharestbuggoldluxuryromaniashowvolkswagenvwMon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/video-to-kill-a-beetle-bug-hippie-vw-gets-shredded/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/video-to-kill-a-beetle-bug-hippie-vw-gets-shredded/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/video-to-kill-a-beetle-bug-hippie-vw-gets-shredded/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When people have a love of YouTube and a lot of free time on their hands, some pretty crazy things can happen. Someone with a spare first-generation VW Beetle and a car shredder decided to be creative in dismantling their hippie heirloom, so they slapped together a faux-comedy. The action saves this amateur video, though, as the helpless little bug is ruthlessly shredded in under two minutes. While we can't call this news, it's definitely entertaining, and you can watch it after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded

VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeetleBugHippieshredderVolkswagenVWThu, 02 Aug 2007 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You see it all the time on eBay; resolute bidders refusing to pull out, even though they've driven the price up far beyond reason. Harder to find these days are the mythical screaming deals of yesteryear - things that go stupid-cheap to a shrewd buyer with an evil chuckle. Sports Car Market has been watching the wackiness as well, and they've put together a nifty slideshow of wallet tragedies and sales that equate to theft. Even still, in their list, there are more examples of fools and their money than there are killer deals. That said, the '34 Chevy Pickup dragster appears to have been a good buy if you're into vehicular inanity. We were shocked to discover that Excaliburs trade for such high dollar amounts, too. For true eBay amusement, we like to attempt reading the seller's description of the items in a single pass, without any "wtf?" moments. Drinking heavily usually helps us discover the true meaning.

[Source: Sports Car Market]

SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbeetlebugcrazycustomdragstereBayexcaliburfabricatorgatsbyjeepscmsillysports car marketSportsCarMarketstupidvolkswagenwackyWed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/old-bug-charm-limited-edition-new-beetle-triple-white-arrives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/old-bug-charm-limited-edition-new-beetle-triple-white-arrives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/old-bug-charm-limited-edition-new-beetle-triple-white-arrives/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image to view addition high-res pics of the VW New Beetle Triple White

For those of you who really want to relive the past, VW is releasing a 1970's retro edition of it's already retro New Beetle. Beginning this week, only 3,000 Triple White New Beetles will be released into the wild, with a white trifecta for the paint job, seating surfaces, and convertible roof boot. To make all that white really stand out, VW added black to the roof, footwells, door panels, and dash. The limited edition Beetle hearkens back to days gone by in many ways, except price. The New Bug will set you back a much more modern $26,630.

The original Beetle didn't have "leatherette" seating surfaces or 17" Oktopus rims, but we sure do like the pricing of the old Super Beetle Convertible better than the new Triple White New Beetle. VW won't have too many problems finding 3,000 takers, though.

[Source: VW]

Gallery: 2007 VW New Beetle Triple White

Continue reading Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives

Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beetlebugconvertabletriple whiteTripleWhiteVokswagenVWThu, 15 Mar 2007 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Speculative sketchiness: The new New Beetle?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/speculative-sketchiness-the-new-new-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/speculative-sketchiness-the-new-new-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/speculative-sketchiness-the-new-new-beetle/#commentsFiled under: ,

Next New Beetle?When Volkswagen unveiled the New Beetle in 1998, the buzz was considerable. A smitten public got on waiting lists to acquire the early Bugs, and the cars attracted attention wherever they went. It's now 2007, and over the intervening years, the car's retro styling has gotten a bit stale.

German buff mag auto motor und sport has presented sketches of what it believes the next-gen New Beetle might look like. We're rather fond of the cool-looking little three door with RX-8-like wheel flares shown at right. To these eyes, it blends a little Audi A3 with a touch of TT. It'll be very interesting to see if and how VW will evolve the retro-look of the current Beetle, and this wouldn't be a bad way to go at all. Click the picture to see the full image as well as a sketch of a ragtop version over at auto motor und sport.

[Source: auto motor und sport via German Car Blog]

Speculative sketchiness: The new New Beetle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeetleBugnew beetleNewBeetlenext-gen new beetleNext-genNewBeetleVWSun, 18 Feb 2007 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeep airs new ads: lizard show-down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/17/jeep-airs-new-ads-lizard-show-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/17/jeep-airs-new-ads-lizard-show-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/17/jeep-airs-new-ads-lizard-show-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Starting tomorrow (Monday, September 18), Jeep will air five new TV spots. The first clip to surface is this crazy "Lizard" ad, which shows a lizard in the desert, puffing up to challenge an old Wrangler. The Wrangler puffs up even bigger, scares off the lizard and settles down to the shape of the new Wrangler.

The ad reminds us of Jurassic Park, where a Jeep faced off against a similar lizard. Dennis Nedry (played by Wayne Knight, "Newman" from Seinfeld) only wishes his Jeep had stood its ground the same way.

The four other ads will feature two gorillas grooming, a bird hunting for bugs, an insect-like Wrangler rock-crawler and a hip-hop urban spot.

[Source: Carscoop]

Jeep airs new ads: lizard show-down originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4x4adadvertisementadvertizementbuggroomingjeepjurassic parkJurassicParklizardmarketingnedrynewmanseinfeldtruckunlimitedwayne knightWayneKnightwranglerSun, 17 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Jet-powered VW New Beetle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/video-jet-powered-vw-new-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/video-jet-powered-vw-new-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/video-jet-powered-vw-new-beetle/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Astute readers of Autoblog will no doubt remember pics of the jet-powered Volkswagen New Beetle we posted a while back. Owner Ron Patrick was recently interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle and fired up the fire-breathing Beetle on camera.

While Patrick admits the car was built more for show than go, the video of the Beetle's brakes straining to keep the car planted while the jet engine is spooled up to 25,000 rpm proves this Franken-bug is no show pony. Patrick also admits to having flipped the jet switch on the highway while doing 100 mph.

Patrick reveals a few interesting details about his bug in the interview like the fact that it swills kerosene at the rate of 15 gallons per mile(!) and the dash-mounted flower vase was removed because any blossom would be immediately sucked into the jet's air intake. Now that's some serious flower power.

[Source: San Francisco Gate via GermanCarBlog]

VIDEO: Jet-powered VW New Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Beetlebugjet enginejet-poweredJetEngineNew BeetleNewBeetleron patrickRonPatrickWed, 03 May 2006 12:28:00 EST