adminThanks to my close relationship with the dealer principal at the Barloworld Motor dealership in South Africa, I managed to test drive one this past week.
The spunky yellow VW Bug branded “No cure for fun” literally caused a blood rush through my veins as I cruised down the Western Bypass in Johannesburg.
The last Volkswagen Beetle that pioneered the automotive retro trend was launched way back in 1998.
Thanks to distinctive styling and little touches like a flower vase on the dash, the new Beetle then, was an immediate hit with younger buyers and baby boomers alike.
In a way, the new Beetle has been a retroversion of itself in its waning years. So it was a welcome relief that Volkswagen has introduced the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.
An entirely new model based on the most recent mechanical underpinnings from the redesigned VW Golf, the 2012 Beetle is a car that is a little less cute but a lot more functional.
At first glance, it resembles a new Beetle that is being squashed from above. (And, yes, the word “New” has been exorcised, so you won’t be reading about the new Beetle).
Indeed, the redesigned car is longer, wider, lower and has more upright A-pillars.
This not only gives the Beetle more classic proportions, but also provides more leg room, a bigger trunk and a more natural driving position that dispenses with its predecessor’s massive dash top and awkward sight lines around the windshield pillars.
The interior design has been redone as well to be modern without losing the Beetle heritage.
The upright dashboard has a drop-down glove box (dubbed kaeferfach, or “Beetle bin” in homage to the original), and it is colour-keyed to the exterior to add a welcome splash of personality.
The design might not be as retro as the Mini Cooper, but then neither are its interior controls, and this is definitely a good thing.
In fact, the Beetle gets the same sensible electronics features and control interface that you see elsewhere in the VW line-up, including Bluetooth, iPod and a navigation system.
Mechanically, the 2012 VW Beetle is mostly comprised of bits and pieces from the Golf.
The unrefined and inefficient five-cylinder base engine is an unfortunate hand-me-down, while the Beetle turbo’s spirited and efficient four-cylinder is a genetic blessing from the Golf GTI.
The Turbo also features a suspension setup similar to the GTI, a calibration that gives it a good balance between slick handling and a refined ride (although it’s not as capable nor fun to drive as the GTI).
The base Beetle’s suspension is borrowed from the VW Jetta and is less sophisticated, but it gets the job done.
In total, the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle feels like the welcome return of an old friend.
It has the traditional look that will appeal to the Beetle faithful, but sports a visual modernity that should attract new buyers into the Beetle fold (or at least recapture those who lost interest during the New Beetle’s lengthy reign).
It still is not as functional as other upscale small cars like the Ford Focus or the Volkswagen Golf, but compared to other high-fashion compacts like the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500, the Beetle boasts of an actually usable backseat and trunk. So the Beetle is back, and yes, it is better than ever.
The base Beetle comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a trip computer and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The 2.5L Beetle adds heated windshield washer nozzles, heated and height-adjustable front seats (with lumbar adjustment), leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, a second glovebox, floor mats, Bluetooth and an iPod interface.
It also boasts of a panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, a multifunction steering wheel, a front centre armrest, an upgraded trip computer, satellite radio, a touchscreen audio interface and a six-CD changer.
The Beetle turbo additions to the 2.5L Beetle’s equipment include 18-inch wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, sport seats, turbo-specific cloth upholstery and alloy pedals.
The Sunroof and Sound package adds the same items as the 2.5L’s Sunroof package along with the Fender audio system and shift paddles (when equipped with the DSG transmission).
The Turbo’s Sunroof, Sound and Navigation System adds a navigation system to the above package along with leather upholstery.
Bi-xenon headlamps and 19-inch wheels can be added to this package. A sport-tuned suspension is optional on all Turbo models.
VW will also be offering an array of customising dealer-sourced accessories, such as exterior graphics, themed badges and special retro wheels. Standard on the base and 2.5L Beetle models is a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
Every Beetle is front-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is optional on all but the base model.
Every 2012 Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The 2012 VW Beetle has a cabin that draws design inspiration from the original flower-power model, yet includes the same features, controls and construction of modern Volkswagens.
The cutesy flower vase, expansive dash and cramped backseat of the ‘90s-era New Beetle are things of the past.
The optional navigation system is easy to use, though its small screen limits its usefulness.
How the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle drives largely depends on the type of engine you choose.
The 2012 Beetle is selling at between R280 000 and R330 000 in South Africa or neighbouring Botswana including duties. Buckle up and enjoy because there is no cure for fun, have more fun.
Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected] or torque with Fact Jeke on Facebook.
leeroy