That's basically the simplest way to sum up the new New, newest, uh, latest Volkswagen Beetle. It actually sparked my intrigue at one point when I asked around about girlie cars and came up with a few stats. Essentially, the Beetle was the “girliest” amongst chick cars.
But that's changed.
Dainty no more
The most immediately distinctive physical element about the car that gives it balls, if you will, is its chopped roof-line. Gone is the half-dome roof that Volkswagen once promoted in some of its ad campaigns. The “A” and “C” pillars are far more reclined and give the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle a more coupe-like shape.
What hasn't changed nor ever will are the bulbous super-flared wheel arches. Essentially, take those away and you get a regular car. It's kinda like Luke Skywalker without the Force: he's no more than your average moisture farmer. My tester was Premier+ and with it come snazzy 18” wheels reserved for it and the Sportline. Take a good look at them and tell me they do not have a Porsche Fuchs-like quality to them. Me, I like.
The head and taillights are other signature features of the Beetle. Up front, the lamps are round and true but in the rear, they no longer are. Although they work with the car's new shape, I find it to be the lowest point in the Beetle's design.
Flower out
There are few things to say about the cabin. Here, the Germans spread the same austere manly jam throughout as they did outside. Gone are the flower holder (smiley-face) and the half-moon over sized speedometer. Instead, the entire upper-left portion of the dashboard has been replaced by conventional gauges. The remainder of the user-interface is functional, very German and well put-together.
Another tell-tale sign that we're aboard a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is the body-colour accents throughout the interior. One more indicator that we're in a Volkswagen are the typically good seats and driving position. The front occupants revel in tons of room, whereas those relegated to the rear will pray for a smooth road, keeping their heads away from the back glass.
It's somewhat sad that Volkswagen had to genericize its Bug but it was clearly a necessary step. Fear not though as not all is lost. The trunk is still tight depending on the height of the stuff that will go in, and wind noise still sneaks into the cabin through frame-less doors.
The return of Turbonium!
Good news everybody! Volkswagen has decreed that their Beetle is once again worthy of a turbocharged engine. The excellent 200-hp 2.0TSI is an option and it endows it with a huge dose of fun. I loved my time with the car at last year's IMPA Test Days. Sadly, it was not be found under the front bonnet of my tester.
I'm being a crybaby and I know it because VW's 2.5L 5-cylinder engine is almost as good. The 5-pot puts forward 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque so is quite peppy, delivering a good dose of torque when required. Under full load, the engine can get raucous but if can you appreciate the 5-cylinder-rumble, you might like it.
All Beetles are FWD and all Premiere-trimmed cars will be equipped with the Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission. If it's a six-speed manual box and the hot wheels you're looking for, you'll need to step into a Sportline — you'll also get that 2.0T I was talking about. Truthfully, and naysayers hold your tongues, the Tiptronic is quite good. It's quick, smooth and always willing. I personally always swung the shifter into “S” mode, which allows the box to holds gears in a kung-fu grip and sharpen up throttle response.
This may be the reason why I found the teensy Beetle rough on gas as I managed an average of no better than 10 L/100 km. If you're not like me, you'll pull off some high 8s with little trouble.
Look, I couldn't really help it. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a great handler, no joke. The car actually holds the road better than drivers think it will, fooling some who claimed to know what the Beetle was about.
It could have been worse. One thing kept me from going all out. This car's brake-pedal feel is one of the worst I've experienced in a long time. The title was previously held by older Toyota cars where nothing would take place in the first two inches of pedal travel. In the Beetle, the feeling is the same. Thankfully, once the pincers do clamp on the discs, the car stops, and well at that.
My money's on a Golf
My Premiere+ was all gilded up and included the one available option, the power panoramic sunroof. At $26,575 + $1,400, the car isn't cheap and for my $28k, I'd have a go at the Golf, a five-door TDI DSG with the multimedia package for less than $200 more. The two extra doors, diesel engine, DSG transmission are worth it. Granted, I'd have to forgo the 18” wheels and some interior kit but in my day-to-day life, the Golf fits better.
The Golf is a far more conventional automobile so if you have the desire to get a Beetle, whatever the reason, feel comforted by the fact that the Beetle is no longer a “girlie” car. That is, unless you're looking to accessorize it with eyelashes or a bra ...
But that's changed.
Dainty no more
The most immediately distinctive physical element about the car that gives it balls, if you will, is its chopped roof-line. Gone is the half-dome roof that Volkswagen once promoted in some of its ad campaigns. The “A” and “C” pillars are far more reclined and give the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle a more coupe-like shape.
What hasn't changed nor ever will are the bulbous super-flared wheel arches. Essentially, take those away and you get a regular car. It's kinda like Luke Skywalker without the Force: he's no more than your average moisture farmer. My tester was Premier+ and with it come snazzy 18” wheels reserved for it and the Sportline. Take a good look at them and tell me they do not have a Porsche Fuchs-like quality to them. Me, I like.
The head and taillights are other signature features of the Beetle. Up front, the lamps are round and true but in the rear, they no longer are. Although they work with the car's new shape, I find it to be the lowest point in the Beetle's design.
Flower out
There are few things to say about the cabin. Here, the Germans spread the same austere manly jam throughout as they did outside. Gone are the flower holder (smiley-face) and the half-moon over sized speedometer. Instead, the entire upper-left portion of the dashboard has been replaced by conventional gauges. The remainder of the user-interface is functional, very German and well put-together.
Another tell-tale sign that we're aboard a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is the body-colour accents throughout the interior. One more indicator that we're in a Volkswagen are the typically good seats and driving position. The front occupants revel in tons of room, whereas those relegated to the rear will pray for a smooth road, keeping their heads away from the back glass.
It's somewhat sad that Volkswagen had to genericize its Bug but it was clearly a necessary step. Fear not though as not all is lost. The trunk is still tight depending on the height of the stuff that will go in, and wind noise still sneaks into the cabin through frame-less doors.
The return of Turbonium!
Good news everybody! Volkswagen has decreed that their Beetle is once again worthy of a turbocharged engine. The excellent 200-hp 2.0TSI is an option and it endows it with a huge dose of fun. I loved my time with the car at last year's IMPA Test Days. Sadly, it was not be found under the front bonnet of my tester.
I'm being a crybaby and I know it because VW's 2.5L 5-cylinder engine is almost as good. The 5-pot puts forward 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque so is quite peppy, delivering a good dose of torque when required. Under full load, the engine can get raucous but if can you appreciate the 5-cylinder-rumble, you might like it.
All Beetles are FWD and all Premiere-trimmed cars will be equipped with the Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission. If it's a six-speed manual box and the hot wheels you're looking for, you'll need to step into a Sportline — you'll also get that 2.0T I was talking about. Truthfully, and naysayers hold your tongues, the Tiptronic is quite good. It's quick, smooth and always willing. I personally always swung the shifter into “S” mode, which allows the box to holds gears in a kung-fu grip and sharpen up throttle response.
This may be the reason why I found the teensy Beetle rough on gas as I managed an average of no better than 10 L/100 km. If you're not like me, you'll pull off some high 8s with little trouble.
Look, I couldn't really help it. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a great handler, no joke. The car actually holds the road better than drivers think it will, fooling some who claimed to know what the Beetle was about.
It could have been worse. One thing kept me from going all out. This car's brake-pedal feel is one of the worst I've experienced in a long time. The title was previously held by older Toyota cars where nothing would take place in the first two inches of pedal travel. In the Beetle, the feeling is the same. Thankfully, once the pincers do clamp on the discs, the car stops, and well at that.
My money's on a Golf
My Premiere+ was all gilded up and included the one available option, the power panoramic sunroof. At $26,575 + $1,400, the car isn't cheap and for my $28k, I'd have a go at the Golf, a five-door TDI DSG with the multimedia package for less than $200 more. The two extra doors, diesel engine, DSG transmission are worth it. Granted, I'd have to forgo the 18” wheels and some interior kit but in my day-to-day life, the Golf fits better.
The Golf is a far more conventional automobile so if you have the desire to get a Beetle, whatever the reason, feel comforted by the fact that the Beetle is no longer a “girlie” car. That is, unless you're looking to accessorize it with eyelashes or a bra ...
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Premiere +
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Premiere +
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