VW Promises "More Courageous" Design / New Beetle Redesign Still Go

[SMG]

We haven't seen an official VW concept yet! These "renderings" are just photoshopped images made by people with too much spare time on their hands.

Until we see something official from VW there is no reason to be upset.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by TheClunker

OMFG are you serious? That's the concept they have? It's horrible! What's with the split hood like the bonnet of the original Beetle, along with the flattened-out fenders?

I didn't even notice until recently that the 1998-2005 NBs were the only ones with side fenders that were rounded front to back as well as down the sides; from 2006-on, the fenders are squished flat on the sides. I finally noticed it the other day when comparing a new one to Sunflower (my 2000).

I was all gung ho about buying a factory-new NB in 2010 before VW butchered it ... I still want a 2nd NB (in silver), but I'll be buying a used, low mileage 2005 now.

Too bad, VW ... you messed with a good thing in the 70s, and you didn't learn your lesson ...

#1 even the pre-2005 fenders were squared off on the edges. Not to the extent of the 2006+, but they aren't cmopletely round as you think they are.

#2 you are giving VW crap for a design that SOMEONE ELSE drew and came up with. You may want to wait and tell VW how big of a mistake they've made once they actually release pictures of what they intend to do with the Beetle.

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by katwalk

I have a better idea, let's design our own. I bet our ideas could be less ugly.

I agree. Here's my design submission.

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by SMG

I honestly hope not..

As an outsider looking in, I find the 'hardcore' members of the aircooled community to be really snobby. I showed up at an aircooled meeting once to take photos, etc and the reception was ice cold.

Hmmmm I just experienced a bit of this myself. Sunday (Father's Day) was "day of the Beetle" in San Antonio. I went, hoping to see Beetles from all years and even considered putting mine in the show. When I got there, not one, not ONE new Beetle around - not on display and not even in the spectator parking lot. I immediately felt a little awkward. I did NOT enter my NB in the show - just parked as a spectator to see all the cars. It was a fun show to attend but definitely an "aircooled" event.

[JGC843]

Yeah it's from Wikipedia...

"According to the Channel4, Volkswagen is planning to launch the successor of new Beetle by 2011. Possible variants included two-seat Beetle roadster, SUV-type Beetle, and the standard hard top.

MotorTrend reported Volkswagen would build the next generation of Beetle based on Volkswagen Golf Mk6 and Volkswagen Scirocco platform. It would be styled in California and engineered in Germany. The cutesy bug-eye look, rounded shape, and bulbous roofline would be replaced by a more aggressive style with a sportier stance and coupe-style roof. The vehicle would be released in 2010 as 2011 model.

Car Magazine reported there would be two Beetles, with a smaller version based on the 2007 Volkswagen up! concept, and the bigger version based on the Volkswagen Golf. The exterior would be based on the Beetle Ragster concept."

Personally, I'm open to a little up dating. For example, I really like the ragster:






Being someone who loves the outdoors, an SUV/Car Beetle would have it's advantages... While the Dune is my personal choice, this other isn't too bad.


More Pics

The Dune


And finally, I'm not totally against a roadster. I hardly use my back seats, and would rather have the truck space, but for the love of God, don't make Beetles look like they have smiles...

[Smileybug]

They've been around on the net for awhile. I know i've seen the dune buggy concept for years.

Until there is official word from VW, I am not getting my arms in the air about anything.

[USSVWBEETLE]

Once I saw the redesign with the flat fenders, I thought to myself "that takes away from the original Beetle look". Now they want change it more, before you know it they'll be like Ford did the Taurus, kill it off for a year, then rename a current model. Sad, the way VW is going, they might end up losing a few reliable customers if they mess with the New Beetle.

[TheClunker]

My bad on mistaking someone's "artistic vision" (vomits profusely) with actual VW-released materials. It does bring up a question, though ...

What was the last year before VW started to square off the fenders on the NBs? I originally thought it was 2005, but looking at some photos online of design changes (most to the interior), I'm thinking now it was 2003 when they first started to mess with the exterior. Is there a site somewhere that "chronicles" the design changes they've made?

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by USSVWBEETLE

Once I saw the redesign with the flat fenders, I thought to myself "that takes away from the original Beetle look". Now they want change it more, before you know it they'll be like Ford did the Taurus, kill it off for a year, then rename a current model. Sad, the way VW is going, they might end up losing a few reliable customers if they mess with the New Beetle.

The New Beetle takes quite a bit away from the "original" Beetle look, but it never seemed to bother anyone who bought a New Beetle.

And I'm still not sure why people are so insistent that VW is making a huge mistake with the NB when they see a drawing that someone ELSE drew, that has nothing to do with VW.

[Deserion]

I honestly don't see VW putting the New Beetle on the Golf 6 platform. That would make it a larger car overall than the current one. I could see them using the Polo 6 platform, however. It's still small enough to not be bloated, the New Beetle is large enough as-is. Keeping with a compact size would be more beneficial, especially if they can package the interior in a more appropriate fashion.

[TheClunker]

Originally Posted by pdoel

The New Beetle takes quite a bit away from the "original" Beetle look, but it never seemed to bother anyone who bought a New Beetle.

I never thought the NB design took away from the original; if anything, the original NB design looked like they had never stopped making the car, almost like that's how it would have naturally "evolved" over time.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by TheClunker

I never thought the NB design took away from the original; if anything, the original NB design looked like they had never stopped making the car, almost like that's how it would have naturally "evolved" over time.

I agree. I just meant that more as an example that the NB is completely different from the original. But is still obviously a Beetle. So not sure why people get so freaked out anytime they hear the NB may be redesigned onto a new platform.

[Pushing Fifty]

Interesting thread here, especially in light of the fact that it started 3 years ago! I wish VW would come out with "official" news as to its exact plans with the NB. The latest I've read is that it will indeed be based on the Golf VI platform and that there will allegedly be two versions; One that looks like a cross between a Beetle and a Porsche (possibly a 2-seater reminiscent of the old Hebmueller) and another that will be similar to the Ragster concept of a few years back.

The Porsche/Beetle mating looks kind of cool, but personally, I would prefer that they go back to the 98-05 fenders but keep the other 06+ upgrades; such as the 2.5 and better-looking taillights. They also need a clean-diesel option and a 2.0T option for the performance crowd.

As for the division between the air-cooled and water-cooled crowds, I'm all too familiar with this as well. My sister belongs to a Mini Cooper club and the same thing goes on there: Old Minis vs. the new BMW-owned Minis.

I now prefer water-cooled VW's because they are far more dependable for people like me who lack mechanical aptitude. My old 69 Bug broke down and left me stranded 6 different times from 2006-2008. I finally sold it to another club member and bought a 2000 Cyber Green NB with 70K miles for $6995.

But with that said, I greatly admire those who can restore a classic air-cooled back to new condition, but at the same time, I love what the younger VW people do with water-cooled models, too. ALL VW people should respect ALL VW's; from the early Splits all the way up to Passat station wagons! Snobbery in one segment or the other is akin to ignorance.

[antonym]

NB coming out in August.. we will just have to wait and see. I have heard rumors, mainly from my dealer in town.. but.. I will wait to see what damage they have dome before I complain.

[Pushing Fifty]

Hmm....I thought that when or if we DO see a New Beetle II, it won't happen until 2011. I assume the 2010's will be just like the 2009's.

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by Pushing Fifty

Hmm....I thought that when or if we DO see a New Beetle II, it won't happen until 2011. I assume the 2010's will be just like the 2009's.

Yeah that's what my dealer told me too. If they were changing the design for 2010 we would have seen something in the trade rags by now.

[Carlos Bernardo]

I have a good friend working in VW (Germany unit) and he said to me that he didn´t believe that the NB is going to any change until 2012. I don´t believe in changes until 2011...

[Pushing Fifty]

A wait until 2012 is okay, too; as long as the NB isn't killed, as some have predicted......: With a new US plant going up in Tennessee, it's hard to say what VW's lineup will be like by then.

[hadda61beetle]

I recently read in Motor Trend magazine...September 2009, that VW is offering one new shade of blue to its arsenal: "Tossau Blue" and one new interior "white V-Tex". The only other changes are to the NBC's boot covers: white top getting a matching white cover and the cream/black receiving a black colored boot cover.

At least the New Beetle is'nt going away. A facelift "would" be nice, but not so much as we wouldn't be able to recognize it.

Jerry

[salsa-man]

Yeah I read that too.

Here is what Motor Trend said:

"WHAT'S NEW: Volkswagen is keeping the New Beetle on an austerity program, offering one new exterior color (Tossau Blue) and one new interior one (White V-Tex) for both models. The only other change involves the convertible's boot covers. They're now standard with the white top getting a white one and the cream/black top getting a black one.

DRIVER'S CHOICE: Well-equipped-for-its-price convertible is still irresistibly cute, even if it's no longer 'new.'

SUM UP: The ladies love 'em."