Description
After five years on the market, Volkswagen refreshed the Beetle, gave it a more aggressive stance, and introduced the Dune version, which made the car look more adventurous.
While the first generation of the Beetle was produced between 1939 and 2003 in over 20 million units, its successors didn’t enjoy the same results. The 1998 New Beetle has been sold in just over one million units until 2011 when the automaker replaced it with the Beetle. However, things didn’t go as expected by Volkswagen with the third sequel of this nameplate. With less than 100,000 units produced yearly after 2014, the car couldn’t be considered a triumph. As a result, the car manufacturer tried to gain back customers and introduced a refreshed version of the model in the summer of 2016. Despite that, sales continued to drop, and in 2019, the automaker pulled the plug on the model and didn’t make a successor for it.
The fresh face of the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle looked more masculine. It had a more aggressive stance, featuring a redesigned bumper. It showed a broader, A-shaped air intake in the middle flanked by a pair of side scoops with oblique inner slats. The automaker added shiny or matte black trims, depending on the grade, that further emphasized the car’s width. Moreover, on the upper side of the bumper, above the license plate, the Dune version featured an additional air intake.
From its profile, the black trims surrounded the vehicle with gloss black trims above the side sills for the R-Line and Denim grades and matte ones for the Dune version. Volkswagen offered the 2017 Beetle with standard 16-inch alloy wheels and options for up to 18 inches in size. Furthermore, the Dune grade came with a higher ground clearance emphasized by black extensions on the wheel arches. At the back, the automaker added a spoiler that integrated the third braking lamp under the rear window. This version also sported a black diffuser under the rear bumper. The Dune and the Pinkbeetle grades received standard LED taillights, while the 1.8T version had those on the options list.
Inside, the automaker made some aesthetic and functional changes. All cars received painted dashboard and door panels, plus a glovebox cover resembling the original Beetle. In addition, the lower spoke of the steering wheel could be optioned with the same shade as the car’s exterior. Furthermore, the center console matched the car’s trim. Atop the dashboard, the automaker offered an option for an additional instrument cluster that resembled the one installed in the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle RSi. A significant upgrade was for the MMI infotainment system, which had a standard 5-inch color display with an option for a 6.3-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, screen mirroring was also available.
Under the hood, the car manufacturer introduced Euro 6 engines across the range for the European market, including several turbodiesel units. For U.S. customers, Volkswagen used only the 1.8- and 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline powerplants with direct fuel injection (TSI). Five- or six-speed manual transmissions were standard across the range, while a fresh seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox was available.
Press Release
The original Beetle, alias New Beetle, alias current Beetle is one of the world's best known, most loved and most individual cars. Now, the latest version of the original Volkswagen is being launched: the model year 2017 Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet. Volkswagen has refined the lifestyle icon's design, engineering and technology. The updated Beetle is being presented to the international media where for more than a decade the largest European gathering of fans of this Volkswagen has taken place - in Travemünde, as part of the Beetle Sunshine Tour 2016. New colours outside and inside, new versions, an even more varied array of personalisation options, infotainment systems geared to modern-day smartphones and apps and the sound on board again fine-tuned by legendary US amplifier manufacturer Fender - as coupé und convertible, this is how the Beetle is launching itself into the latest phase of its history, stretching now over more than 70 years.
An icon all over the world
The Beetle is seen as a statement of individuality. It is particularly popular in North America, China and Europe, as well as in India and the Far East. The USA is traditionally a Beetle stronghold, especially on the East and West Coast. In Europe, of course, the Beetle has been part of the motoring scene for ages. The people of both continents effectively grew up with the original Beetle as a constant motoring companion, then enjoyed the New Beetle and transferred this passion on to the Beetle. It is noteworthy, meanwhile, that the Beetle is also successful in China, where the original Beetle was never sold and where the historical basis for a comeback as a lifestyle icon was therefore actually absent. The Beetle's design, however, appears to transcend space and time.
Updated names
The Beetle - the coupé and convertible - is now available in three equipment lines: Beetle, Design and R-Line (replacing Sport). There is also the stand-alone Dune version. For the Design and R-Line specifications Volkswagen is also offering eight new design and styling packs that enable these two versions to be further personalised. Appearing as extensively refined models are the Beetle Exclusive Design and the newly fine-tuned Beetle Exclusive R-Line. On top of that there are three special edition models: the Beetle Denim, the Beetle Allstar (in each case as coupé and convertible) and the Beetle Cabriolet Karmann. Depending on version there is a practically limitless spectrum of options available for further personalisation. Features that often cost little additional money and in some cases none at all. Like the Design version's dashpad, available in seven different colours. For a modest budget the look can be additionally refined with double or rally stripes, nickname decals and the Wolfsburg coat of arms.
New on the exterior
Identifying features of the new version of the Beetle include a redesigned front bumper. The central air inlet has been made larger and framing it now in the vehicle body colour are bars that strive outwards in an A-shape, making the Beetle appear wider and sturdier. On both the left and right outer edges of the bumper a black trim element emphasises the width. Its design looks like a continuation of the air inlet and depending on the vehicle specification frames functions including fog lights with integrated cornering light, the front indicators and the ParkAssist sensors. Meanwhile, the Design versions shine with a chrome crossbar, which runs across the bumper's full width.
All-round width extensions
Customers opting for the new R-Line version, the new Denim (as 2.0 TSI) or the Dune, also being launched this summer, will acquire a Beetle that additionally has a further narrow air inlet between number plate and bonnet. In all three cases the Beetle is furthermore equipped with a new trim element in elegant black (gloss on the R-Line and Denim, matt on the Dune) that runs all around the car. It frames, among other features, the central air inlet and - acting as body-wideners - the wheel arches and side sills. Also black on these versions is the central and lower part of the rear bumper, diffuser included, which has been remodelled in line with the front of the car. The exterior modifications are rounded off by two new colours, White Silver Metallic and Bottle Green Metallic (there are twelve paint colours in all), the newly colour-coordinated 18-inch Ravenna Adamantium alloy wheels and, depending on version, smoked LED rear lights. The Beetle convertible's soft top is being offered from now on in four rather than two colours: Black and Nutria Beige for the permanent range, blue Jeans Look for the Denim limited edition model and Sioux Brown for the special Karmann edition.
New safety features
An added safety feature is provided by the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, new in the Beetle. During the journey, the Blind Spot Monitor warns the driver of any vehicle in the blind spot. When the car is reversing out of a parking space, the system also detects any vehicle approaching from the side behind the Beetle and again warns the driver. If a collision is imminent, the Rear Traffic Alert system automatically activates an emergency braking function. In combination with the cruise control system, Driver Alert has also been added as a new feature.
New in the interior
The Beetle's interior has always been a pleasantly fresh alternative to the establishment. The painted dashpad and upper door panel, the glove compartment in original Beetle style, the optional additional instruments above the instrument panel and the ambient lighting - it all elevates this lifestyle model above many other cars of it class, without giving it any sense of being aloof. Volkswagen has consciously not altered the interior contours, but has significantly changed the colours, materials and technical features. Matching the trim, the centre console is now painted, as is the bottom steering wheel spoke. The rings around the air vents and the trim of the door puller (on the front-seat passenger side) can optionally also be painted. New dashpad designs, new seat fabrics and colours, new instrument dials and even brighter, adjustable ambient lighting complete the modifications in the interior.
Five efficient engines
Available for the Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet are three TSI (petrol direct injection) and two TDI engines. Efficient four-cylinder engines that all feature added power thanks to turbocharging. The TSI engines have output ratings of 77 kW / 105 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS and 162 kW / 220 PS, while the TDI engines develop 81 kW / 110 PS and again 110 kW / 150 PS. All five engine variants can optionally be ordered with an automatic dual-clutch gearbox. The top of the range 220 PS engine is available in the Beetle / Beetle Cabriolet R-Line, Dune, Exclusive R-Line and Denim.
Communicative infotainment
All Beetles are equipped as standard with the Composition Colour radio system and eight loudspeakers. The higher-specification Composition Media system is available as an option. Its features include a 6.3-inch touchscreen, telephone interface and an MP3 playlist display showing title and cover. The Discover Media system includes all of these features plus a navigation function and Car-Net 'Guide & Inform' online services. All three systems belong to our latest generation of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB II). They are especially well connected via App-Connect - as in this case MirrorLink, CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) are part of the system software. Specially attuned to the two top systems is a sound system from US amplifier manufacturer Fender. It features subwoofer, 400 watts of music power and an iPod/iPhone interface.
Beetle - the start-up of the product line
For the Beetle there is no base version in the classic sense. The 'Beetle' version is more a kind of start-up, cleverly conceived and tailored to the budget of people who are still just starting out. The seat fabrics have been redesigned in the 'Web' pattern (colour: Titanium Black). The dashpad is painted in classy black. There is, of course, a complete package of safety features, including in the case of the convertible a rollover protection system. Ten key details of the standard specification in summary:
Composition Colour radio with eight loudspeakers
Stop/Start system with brake energy recuperation
Safety system including front airbags, combined head and side airbags, ESC, Isofix and the Post-Collision Braking System
Hill Hold Assist
Active rollover protection system (convertible)
Electrically operated fabric hood (convertible)
Dashpad painted in black
Steering wheel with black decorative trim
Split fold-down rear seatbacks
Shift gate and cup holder with chrome rims
Design - as individual as a loft apartment
The Design version is an individualised and refined version of the Beetle. As their budget is bigger, it also offers owners further options to shape their environment. Here too the 'Color & Trim' design team has redesigned the seats, naming the pattern after the way it looks: 'Pepita'. It is available in three base colours: Titanium Black, Nutria Beige and Titanium Black / Nutria Beige. Individualised still further with features such as the body-coloured dashpad, centre console painted in Platinum Grey, extra glove compartment in original Beetle style and standard-specification 16-inch alloy wheels, this Beetle goes perfectly with any loft apartment in Berlin, Boston, Beijing or anywhere else in the world. Ten key equipment details in summary:
16-inch 'Whirl' alloy wheels
Black air inlet grille with chrome strips
Body-coloured side guards with chrome trim strip
Storage pockets on backs of front seats
Body-coloured dashpad
Comfort seats in the front
Glove compartment in original Beetle style
Centre console painted in Platinum Grey Metallic
Body-coloured elements, including steering wheel trim and upper door panels
Fog lights with cornering light
R-Line - the high-end version
R-Line traditionally stands at Volkswagen for a particularly sporty specification. In the case of the Beetle, the R-Line version is in future replacing the Sport line. Characteristic interior features of the Beetle R-Line and Beetle Cabriolet R-Line include details such as sports seats in the new 'Check' pattern with diagonally stitched upholstery. It too is available in the three base colours of Titanium Black, Nutria Beige and Titanium Black / Nutria Beige. Details such as red-painted brake callipers, a chrome-plated tailpipe (two in the case of the 162-kW version), 17-inch alloy wheels, stainless steel pedals and all-round body-widening trim position the R-Line as the high-end top version of the three equipment lines. Ten key standard-specification details in summary:
17-inch 'Spin' alloy wheels
All-round body-widening trim
Chrome-plated tailpipe (on the 162 kW on left and right)
Wing mirror covers painted black, brake callipers red
Black side guards with chrome trim strip
Ambient lighting (monotone)
Dark Grid dashpad, Platinum Grey Metallic centre console
Pedals in brushed stainless steel
Steering wheel and gear lever knob in leather
Air conditioning
Design, R-Line Interior and Style packs - individualised
Each Beetle is an automotive statement from its owner. After many years of service, original Beetle, New Beetle and Beetle have therefore long since become not just ordinary used cars, but in many cases collectors' items. Classic car events such as the German Techno Classica (there are more collectors of original Beetles in Germany than of any other car) and events such as the Beetle Sunshine Tour underline this. Beetle models have forever been individualised to strengthen the statement still further and make it into a personal one. Volkswagen has therefore put together eight different trim packs for the latest Beetle that enable owners to refine their Design or R-Line models:
Black Style, Turbo Black and Silver Black design packs
With Rotor Black 17-inch alloy wheels and details such as wing mirror covers and side guards also in black, the Black Style design pack has been specially tailored to the Design equipment line. Meanwhile the Turbo Black design pack has been developed by Volkswagen specifically for the R-Line models. It includes black wing mirror covers, body-coloured side guards, the word 'Turbo' also in black on the doors and 19-inch Tornado alloy wheels (black with machine-polished surfaces). Customers who would prefer the wing mirror covers and 'Turbo' lettering in silver can opt for the otherwise identical Turbo Silver pack.
R-Line Interior pack
An interior pack enables R-Line coupé and convertible models to be refined in even more exclusive style. Pack features include middle seat panels in the Kyalami fabric design, inner seat bolsters in microfiber (San Remo), an R-Line multifunction sports steering wheel in leather, handbrake lever grip and gear lever knob in leather, door tread plates in aluminium with R-Line logo and the classic extra instruments on the instrument panel (charge pressure, oil temperature and chronometer). As an option, the pack can also be combined with the Vienna leather trim.
Color4Me style packs in four colours
The four Color4Me style packs have been exclusively created for the Design models (excluding Exclusive Design). The four pack colours are Habanero Orange, Pure White, Sandstorm Yellow and Tornado Red. In each case the dashpad is in Platinum Grey or Dark Grid. Respectively painted, meanwhile, in one of the aforementioned colours are the trim elements around the air vents, the decorative trim in the steering wheel and door pullers, the upper door panels and the centre console.
