Volkswagen Beetle production breaks cover
By Neil McDonald
BEETLE fans can rejoice, the humble Bug is on the way back.
But the latest Volkswagen Beetle will be a far cry from Adolf Hitler's original concept of a low-cost, basic "people's" car.
The new retro Beetle, to be released in Europe early next year, is likely to be priced from about US$17,000.
The final production version bears a strong resemblance to the Concept 1 car designed by the company's California design studio.
In Europe, the front-engined Beetle will be powered by a range of diesel and petrol engines.
These will include VW's powerful 110kW VR5 and 128kW VR6, a 1900cc turbo diesel and two new 1800cc five-valve engines.
A high-performance four-wheel drive model, using either the VR5 or VR6, will also be offered.
As the car will be built on the same platform as the next- generation Golf, it will support any engine arrangement used in the Golf.
Right-hand drive versions will be built at VW's Puebla plant in Mexico.
While the styling may scream retro, the Beetle will come with all the latest safety and creature comforts expected today.
It will have driver and passenger air bags as well as side air bags, antilock brakes, power steering, electric windows, tinted glass and central locking.
In Europe, the car will also be offered with a glass-sliding sunroof system similar to the Porsche Targa design. At the press of a button, the wide Targa roof will slip into the tail of the car, under the large rear window, when it is open.
Air-conditioning and an automatic transmission will be optional.
Inside, the car features a basic but functional color-coded dashboard. Like the original Bug, there's a solitary speedometer gauge in front of the driver, featuring integrated fuel and water gauges.
Owners will be able to specify leather or cloth seats.
The Beetle weighs just under 1,000kg. It is 4,060mm long, 1,510mm tall and 1,730mm wide. Its 2,510mm wheelbase is slightly longer than the existing Golf, which sits on 2,475mm.
Overall, the Beetle is slightly longer, higher and wider than the existing Golf.
The mudguards, bumpers and hood are made of synthetic materials more resistant to chipping than steel.
Interest in the new Beetle has been phenomenal since the company signed off the car for production, with more than 45,000 Japanese and 5,000 Australians having already put their names down on an advance purchase priority list.
There has also been great worldwide interest in accessing VW's Internet site on the Beetle. It is one of the company's busiest sites.
The Beetle went out of production in Germany in 1976 but continued to be made in various countries, including South Africa and Brazil, until the 1980s. It is still made in Mexico.