2012 Volkswagen Beetle: Totally Manlier [2011 NYAS]

[AutoGuide.com]

Volkswagen's main goal for the redesigned, sleeker Beetle was to appeal to the less fairer sex. So they've ditched the flower vase, lowered the roofline, employed turbo power, and even made it more fuel-efficient. Will manly men drive to steakhouses, gun ranges and the gym in the 2012 Beetle?

It's an evolved look, but it's already more aggressive than the outgoing bubble. The new Beetle (that's not called "New Beetle," mercifully) is 3.3 inches wider, half an inch lower, and 6 inches longer. It's a smooth, more handsome look, and it's still immediately recognizable as a Beetle—take that how you will.

The engine is still in the front, and there are three available: a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder at 170 horsepower and two turbocharged models. One is a 2-liter TDI at 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and the other is a 200-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine that's also 2.0 liters. The diesel can achieve 33-mpg combined (29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway), and the gasoline four comes with a neat two-tone spoiler on the back. Manly!

The interior loses the round cuteness of the last generation's and—mercifully enough—its harsh plastics too; its piano-black surface brings it in line with the rest of the current VW lineup, and is sufficiently monotone and dour enough to fit into rational German standards. Manly! Plastics and fit/finish are much improved, and the top of the range can be available with splashy red seats.

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[AngelaLovesBugs]

Aren't there enough manly vehicles out there!?

What I loved about the bug was is was more girly and was/is perfect for dressing up girly! I'm so sad they made it more manly...

[TrudysMom]

I agree, I wish they had the new version for guys and kept the New Beetle version for the look that many of us like. A vase is needed, also the look of a Beetle that set it apart. SO boring to be like other cars.

[Pushing Fifty]

I like both the 98-10 outgoing models and the 2012+ that is to come. That would be an interesting idea; a His and Hers Beetle, but the sad fact is that the outgoing model's sales were dropping. When they came out in 98, they sold about 80,000 units in the US a year, then they slowly dropped to the 30,000 range. By 2009, this had dropped further to 13,000 or thereabouts. They rose again in 2010, but that's because many thought this would be the last Beetle ever. The important thing is that VW has finally learned that the Beetle is an iconic nameplate that should never go away.

[58and03beetles]

anyone see photos of the convertibles?

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by 58and03beetles

anyone see photos of the convertibles?

There are some photoshops on the Vortex, but since it won't be out until 2013, and with VW focusing on the hardtop, I doubt we'll see real life pictures of the vert for awhile.

[TrudysMom]

It would HELP if they had great and colorful ads for the Beetles! They have always missed the boat in advertising these great cars. They could show how a girl can love it and make it look cute, how guys can make it totally the car for a guy, show funny things in the vases, show how much fun they are, show the top down and all the colors....I can think of a million great commercials. This car is the only one that seems to change for the owner! Missed the boat. These cars at least through 2010 had the best personalities!

[Froggy]

Can I expect prices on New Beetles to drop when this version comes out?
Still not sure I like it, at least in the "sporty" photos I've seen so far. But I know I love the personable "girly" New Beetle.

I completely agree that beetles take on whatever appearance their owners desire, but it always make me happy when I see one. Look at ScarabY2Ks car and tell me it looks girly. I'd laugh at you.

edit: Holy... /jawdrop. It's official. I just looked at pictures of pdoel's car and given the choice I'd pick his over that fancy 2012 beetle every time. Nice car!

[robertsnowden1990]

I love the new beetle, however I'm not going to rush out and buy it. I'm a guy and I love the previous beetles.

[Marty4th]

Im a 42 year old married man and I don't need anyone telling me that my beetle is a girls car or a guys car. It's my beetle and I love it. I went through this when I first bought my beetle with my friends but after they rode in it they all wanted to drive it. I agree that the car takes on the character of the owner one of my coworkers has a new charger and you can tell its a girls car when you see it. Anyway back on subject, the new 2012 looks cool and I mean, how can you hate it, after all it has the name beetle. Oh and just a note, the vase in my beetle makes a great pen holder lol.

[TechnoTrix'd]

As long as they keep the name-plate out their, I'm good with my girly-01'.

I guess if you have to tell me it's more Manley, then is it?

Just find it funny that VW even went down this road. Build the car and if you do it right, folks will buy it.

Looks like they did with the NB2's, so why revive the old labels in the first place?

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