Autoblog

Butch new Volkswagen Beetle earning more man love

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

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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Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Volkswagen

If you've ever wanted to flag down one of Mexico City's classic Volkswagen Bug taxis, you'd better book your travel now. The last of the iconic cabs will be decommissioned by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press.

VW hasn't built the classic Beetle since 2003, the same year that Mexico City began requiring that taxi operators switch to four-door vehicles. The last Bugs that entered service as cabs back in 2002 have already been given two extra years of service compared to most taxis, according to the report.

The cabs are considered particularly dangerous, not just because they are essentially 74-year-old cars, but also because cab drivers generally remove the front passenger seat to facilitate access to the cramped rear quarters of the Beetle. But the cars are cheap to operate and according to one former Mexico City cabbie, help make the streets safer.

"Today the cars are bigger, and they drive faster," Vera Perez told the AP, "Before, they drove more cautiously, because any accident would destroy them."

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video]

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Videos

We certainly understand the need to scrap older vehicles. Not only is it impractical to preserve every car that's ever been built, but why would you want to? That said, decisions to destroy old cars, whether under the auspices of a government program like Cash For Clunkers or by profit motive at an automotive recycler, should be made by informed individuals. That way, vehicles that may have potential as collectibles don't unnecessarily vanish.

That's why we find this story so frustrating. According to the Tampa Bay Times, one of the foremost "VW graveyards," Sunray Bugs of Dade City, FL, is headed the way of the Type 4. The giant, 10-acre Volkswagen salvage yard lost its legal battle over zoning with Pasco County, and officials have nearly completed cleanup of the site. Hundreds of cars have been crushed, though the octogenarian owner, "Corky" Yager, may have saved most of what was truly valuable, according to this long thread on TheSamba.com.

While the situation is certainly a complex one that's caused quite a few VW enthusiasts to take to their keyboards to voice their opinions - the aforementioned thread runs to eight pages - the bottom line is that some potentially useful old cars are no longer with us.

Click through the jump to see some video of Sunray Bugs before the zoning incident, including an interview with Corky.

Continue reading Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video]

Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vintage VW Bug buyer already had key to the car

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Volkswagen

At this time of year there are no shortages of holiday miracles. Most of them seem to involve animals, the cuter and furrier the better. Just today we read about a baby seal who sought shelter in a New Zealand woman's house and curled up on the couch. Earlier in the week, it was the four deer who were saved from drowning by boaters in Alaska. Well, here's a car story in the same vein.

It's about a Beetle. A red, 1963 Volkswagen convertible to be specific. Earlier in the month, the car was listed on eBay and the seller, Eric, contacted website Bring A Trailer hoping to get a little wider publicity for his strikingly original car. Eric was offering the car with a treasure trove of documentation, including the original registration for its California "black plate."

So who should happen to see the pictures of the car? None other than the son of the original owner, Jim, who was with his dad when they drove it home from the dealership almost 50 years ago. When he saw the license plate, those six randomly assigned alphanumerics lit up his memory and, well, then he saw his dad's signature on a photo of the registration...

Let's cut to the chase: Jim is the proud new owner of the Bug.

But that's not all. It seems that Jim had saved one of the keys to his dad's old VW, and sure enough, when he showed up at Eric's house to look at the car, it unlocked the driver's door. As if that's not enough to make you believe in karma, destiny, and Fahrvergnügen, Jim bought the car on his son's 15th birthday. So dad will teach son to drive in the same car that grandpa taught him in.

Take that, cute and furry.

Vintage VW Bug buyer already had key to the car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:29:00 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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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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Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Volkswagen, Celebrities

This Volkswagen Beetle is priced to sell at $250,000. No, there's no typo in that figure. This 1963 VW Bug has celebrity ownership, as it once belonged to Mr. Paul Newman. Still not doing it for you at that price? Perhaps a peak under the hood will change your mind.

Paul Newman loved him some fast cars, and this '63 Beetle is no exception. Rather than stick with the old four-cylinder lump in the rear, Newman had IndyCar builder Jerry Eisert set out to turn the droptop bug into a super sleeper.

Eisert dropped a Ford 351 V8 into the middle of the Volkswagen. He added the five-speed ZF transmission (thought to have come from a Ford GT40), and the now-transformed Beetle was pushing out 300-horsepower. That's a whole lot of juice for this bantam-weight brawler. So much, in fact, that Newman's handlers advised him to sell the car before he got into serious trouble with it.

Paul Newman's Volkswagen Beetle Convertible sleeper is now up for sale, after receiving a full restoration. The seller wants $250,000 but is open to "serious offers." While we think 250 large is rather optimistic, there's no doubt this car has the potential to plaster permanent smiles on anyone who drives it. Check out OldBug.com for a look at the car's history.

Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:24:00 EST

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

A history of the Volkswagen Beetle - Click above to watch video after the jump

Our cohorts over at AOL Autos have gone through the trouble of creating a video to take a look at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle. With the People's Automaker pulling the covers off the 2012 Beetle at this year's New York Auto Show, there couldn't be a more fitting time to crack open the history books and dive into the car's past. Editor-in-Chief David Kiley narrates the informative clip and covers everything from the vehicle's unfortunate beginnings to its widespread popularity in Germany and around the world.

The video features plenty of classic footage of workers assembling the Bugs themselves as well as more than a few great vintage advertising spots. There's even an airborne Beetle for your viewing enjoyment.

Kiley helps remind us that the "New" Beetle was largely responsible for helping to save Volkswagen in America back when the brand was struggling to get a grasp on our market. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle

Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:24:00 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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Porsche Boxster + vintage Volkswagen Bug = Bugster

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Volkswagen, Specialty

1973 Volkswagen Bugster - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is a melding of two seemingly very different cars we can get behind. The melding of one car's running gear and another's body isn't a new practice, but so often it turns out terribly. Need an example? Check out the dozens of F-Body Chevrolet Camaro coupes with 4x4 running gear that haunt the depths of the world's internet forums.

This isn't a hack job, this is is the sort of hybrid we can throw our enthusiastic support behind. The body started life atop a humble 1973 Volkswagen Beetle chassis, while the running gear saw duty under a 2000 Porsche Boxster convertible's skin. The car was created by Siegfried Rudolf, who owns CarMaxx, an Austrian company that restores and customizes Porsche and Volkswagen cars.

Rudolf apparently got the idea after parking his restored Beetle next to his wife's Boxster and noted a striking similarity in their wheelbases. After countless hours with a measuring tape, a Sawzall and a welder, Rudolf had the Bugster, a mid-engined 270-horsepower 1973 VW Beetle.

From off, the car looks like a nicely restored, slightly modified Bug. Up close, though, the enormous side vents, 18-inch wheels and Porsche dashboard start to hint at this thing's dirty little secret. The car sports custom fenders to properly cover its wider track and wheels, and the whole set up rides on a fully-adjustable suspension. Delicious. Thanks for the tip, Rui!

Gallery: 1973 Volkswagen Bugster

[Source: Bugster via FirstSuperCars]

Porsche Boxster + vintage Volkswagen Bug = Bugster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW to reveal new global Beetle in two weeks on MTV

Chris Shunk — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Volkswagen

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

You think Volkswagen is interested in generating buzz in the next generation Beetle? The automaker teased (and gave away) The People's Car on Oprah in the fall, Followed by a pricey but clever Super Bowl commercial back in February. We heard a couple weeks back that VW planned to follow up on the considerable Beetle buzz with an unveil in Shanghai, but that's only part of the story.

Volkswagen has announced that it will unveil the 2012 Beetle on April 18 in a whirlwind tour of three continents. The kickoff will occur in China, followed by reveals in Berlin and New York City. The entire event will be covered by MTV, with special guests planned for each event. Here in the States, the event will be headlined by The Black Eyed Peas while the Germans will kick it with Belgian duo 2manydjs.

Luca de Meo, Director of Marketing, Volkswagen Group, touts the marketing partnership of Beetle and MTV as a pair of icons working together. The marketing boss believes that the 2012 Beetle's "one-of-a-kind styling combined with the latest technology will be very well received by customers."

Stay tuned to Autoblog as we gather the latest 2012 Beetle intelligence in advance of the bulbous hatchback's global reveal, and feel free to peruse our spy photo gallery of the prototype Beetle below, then hit the jump to look over VW's official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle: Spy Shots

[Source: Volkswagen | Images: KGP Photography]

Continue reading VW to reveal new global Beetle in two weeks on MTV

VW to reveal new global Beetle in two weeks on MTV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

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

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Volkswagen Eos and Volvo S40.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New VW Beetle coming in two years, Scirocco still not in cards for U.S.

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Design/Style

Malibu Barbie VW New Beetle Convertible - click above for high-res gallery

We're in Wolfsburg, Germany right now for the launch drive of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf and we've just returned from a presentation at the company's design center with Walter de Silva. We'll have more on de Silva's comments a little later, but first, we did have a chance to chat with VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby about future products.

First up, despite de Silva's promise that VW wont do retro designs, there is a new New Beetle coming. When the NB debuted a decade ago, we lamented the fact that it officially carried the "New" prefix (unfortunately, Autoblog was not yet born so no one at VW heard our complaints). This time around it will just be called "Beetle." Contrary to some speculation that it might move to the NSF platform of the forthcoming Up! model, the Beetle will still ride on the Golf's chassis when it appears in two years. Jacoby didn't say how the next Beetle might change to meet de Silva's "no retro" statement, but it will continue to fill VW's niche quotient.

Speaking of niches, the Scirocco remains dead to us, despite the fact that Lower Saxony seems to be crawling with them. The problem, Jacoby explains, is that the Scirroco appeals to almost exactly the same buyers who opt for the GTI. Company research indicates that there would be almost no incremental sales increase with the Scirroco, instead it would just cannibalize the GTI. Why not just replace the GTI? Adding the coupe would be another niche product that requires more parts inventory, training, marketing dollars and so on. While we as enthusiasts might want another coupe, the numbers just don't add up for VW - especially when every Euro costs $1.47. Sorry.

Gallery: Malibu Barbie VW New Beetle Convertible

New VW Beetle coming in two years, Scirocco still not in cards for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day is just in time for Easter

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Volkswagen, Celebrities, Humor

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.

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New details emerge about 2010 VW Beetle

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Budget, Volkswagen, Rendered Speculation

Click above for high-res renderings of a possible New Beetle

When designing a retro-style automobile like the revived MINI, Mustang or VW Beetle, the first generation is the easy one. The second go-round, on the other hand, is a tougher nut to crack, and the easy thing to do is to maintain the status quo. Volkswagen did just that when it revised its New Beetle back in 2006, but the third-generation of today's Bug is expected to ratchet things up a bit design-wise. We're expecting something more mature, perhaps along the lines of the Ragster concept from 2005, which emphasized its low-slung bodywork with a chopped top reminiscent of the Porsche Speedster. Flashier lights and more angular sheetmetal are also distinct possibilities.

Whatever the case, it won't be an easy redesign. VeeDub could stay the course by keeping the cute and charming nature of the current New Beetle intact or it could spice things up with something much more sporty. Could the German automaker do both? That's an option for the future, and current rumors indicate that VW has considered at least two separate Beetle models, one based on the Golf and another using the underpinnings from the yet-to-be-released Up! microcar. The current state of the economy, though, makes a plan like that much less likely to bear fruit.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle - renderings

[Source: Car Magazine]

New details emerge about 2010 VW Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 VW Beetle to be 'more mature'

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen

When it was first unveiled, the Volkswagen New Beetle's only mission in life was to emulate and modernize the look of the classic air-cooled Bug that was so popular in America during the '60s and '70s. The New Beetle's first restyling was so minor that you'd be forgiven for not even knowing it had been changed. Not so for the next update, a hardtop of which is due for the 2010 model year with a convertible following one year later. Such ergonomic deficiencies as a huge expanse between the driver and the windshield were acceptable in order to get the look right the first time around, but not any longer. Therefore, expect to see some radical changes for the cute little Bugger that will make what Volkswagen's own Walter De' Silva calls "a much more mature product." The word "mature" doesn't quite jive with the current New Beetle, so we're pretty interested to see how far this redesign will go.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, Photo by Tim in Sydney | Creative Commons 2.0]

2010 VW Beetle to be 'more mature' originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen hoping buyers stick around for New Beetle styling gimmick

Chris Paukert — Thu, 04 May 2006 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Etc., Volkswagen

In an effort to keep British consumers interested in the New Beetle, Volkswagen has unveiled a line of vinyl graphics dubbed 'Beetle Art' to offer buyers another way to personalize their Bugs.

VW is initially offering four designs of the decals, dubbed 'Mud Splats,' 'Taking Flight,' 'It's All Mine' and 'Chasing Rainbows,' each with a unique artist and story behind them. The company promises that the designs will last for three years, and can be removed without any paint damage.

No word yet on if VW's in-house art car options will cross the Pond.

Click on the link for VW's microsite on Beetle Art.

[Sources: Volkswagen UK; MotorTorque at AskaPrice.com]

Volkswagen hoping buyers stick around for New Beetle styling gimmick originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 May 2006 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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