VW released today the full details, images and first videos of the latest generation 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. With the 2012 Beetle, VW had the very difficult task of re-designing an automotive icon, while keeping it's original theme and soul. In their own words, they had to "Design a new original".
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has a lower profile, is wider than its predecessor, and features a longer bonnet. Its windshield was also shifted backwards. This changes give the new bug more dynamism and a more stable look. In numbers, VW's 2012 Beetle is 1,808 mm wide (84 mm wider), 1,486 mm tall (12 mm lower) and 4,278 mm long (152 mm longer).
Volkswagen's Beetle 2012 keeps the trademark oval headlights, but it now offers bi-xenon technology with LED daytime running lights. It features flared wings, 19 inch rims and a rear spoiler.
In terms of engine, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will be available with both petrol TSI engines and diesel TDI units, with power outputs ranging from 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS. The most fuel efficient 2012 Beetle is the 1.6 TDI, with 4.3 l/100 km. In USA, the most efficient 2012 Beetle version is the 2.0 TDI which is good for 33 mpg in the combined cycle. All the engines offered with
the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle are detailed below.
The equipment list of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle includes a panoramic roof, radio-CD and radio-navigation systems, a Fender sound system, and Keyless Access.
The price list of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will be announced at a later date, as the new generation model goes on sale in September / October 2011 in the USA and in October / November 2011 in Europe.
Watch Volkswagen's new 2012 Beetle on video lower down this page.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Engine Line-up:
Engines: top fuel economy of 40 mpg and 4.3 l/100km
US diesel with 140 PS. When it comes to engines, all signs point toward sustainability. In the USA,
the Beetle will be offered as a turbodiesel for the first time. The Beetle 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 PS) meets all USA emission limits and attains 40 mpg fuel economy in the Highway cycle, 29 mpg in City driving, and 33 mpg combined. As a result, the Beetle is a good choice as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class. Incidentally, the Volkswagen not only has excellent fuel economy values in the version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but also – and this is a technical debut in the Beetle as well – with the optional 6-speed dual clutch transmission.
US petrol engines with 170 PS and 200 PS. Fuel economy values were also improved in the 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine, which was already a success in the previous model.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle video 1:
2012 Volkswagen Beetle video 2:
2012 Volkswagen Beetle video 3:
The manually shifted Beetle attains 22 mpg (City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined). Its counterpart with a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22 mpg (City), 29 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined) – this represents an increase of up to 10 percent in fuel economy. Pioneering: even the Beetle 2.0 TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS of power attains a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. The large TSI is also available with an optional 6-speed DSG.
World engines with 105 PS, 140 PS, 160 PS and 200 PS. In markets such as Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Beetle will be offered exclusively with charged engines. All engine versions – all of them with four cylinders – are being used for the first time in this model series. The car exhibits significantly reduced fuel consumption and emission values compared to the previous model thanks to the switch to turbo-petrol (TSI) and common rail turbodiesel direct injection engines (TDI). The three charged petrol engines of the Beetle output 77 kW / 105 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The two diesel engines develop 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS (TDI engines are not offered in China). All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.
Engines with 160 PS and 200 PS in detail. Even the fast moving 225 km/h Beetle 2.0 TSI with 200 PS of power consumes just 7.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 173 g/km CO2) with a manual transmission. Also extremely economical is the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS shifted by a 7-speed DSG; in the Beetle it consumes just 5.9 l/100 km (139 g/km CO2). Fuel economy data like this makes the Beetle 1.4 TSI DSG (top speed: 207 km/h) a pleasant surprise in the engine program. By comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 PS attained a value of 8.9 l/100 km in the automatic version. Despite 10 PS more power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0 l/100 km or 34 percent.
Differential lock for top petrol engine. To ensure that the power of the two strongest Beetle versions is applied properly to the road in quickly approached curves as well, the models with 160 PS (European version) and 200 PS (worldwide) come with a factory-installed XDS electronic differential lock. This system extends the familiar EDS functionality. XDS improves handling in fast curve driving and calibrates the car toward more "neutral" steering; it does this by using active brake intervention to prevent wheelspin of the unloaded wheel on the inside of the curve, and this improves traction.
Engines with 105 PS and 140 PS in detail. The most fuel-efficient petrol engined model is the Beetle 1.2 TSI with BlueMotion Technology (including Stop/Start system and battery regeneration) and 105 PS with a top speed of 180 km/h. It has a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km (129 g/km CO2). The comparable previous model (75 kW / 102 PS) consumed 7.5 l/100 km. Savings: 2.0 l/100 km or 27 percent. An extremely sustainable performer is the Beetle 1.6 TDI with 105 PS. At 4.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 112 g/km CO2), this diesel version is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever built with BlueMotion Technology. Its fuel consumption is 20 percent lower than even the existing TDI engines which have always been very fuel efficient. Incidentally, on the Autobahn, the new Beetle 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology can reach a top speed of 180 km/h – in this case, fuel economy is not gained at the cost of performance. This is especially true of the even higher performance TDI with 2.0 liter displacement and 103 kW / 140 PS. This torque-strong turbodiesel (320 Nm from 1,750 rpm) takes the Beetle to a top speed of 198 km/h and combined fuel consumption of just 4.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 129 g/km CO2). This means that the Beetle for a new era will once again show how it can "go, and go and go"
