Test Drives of the 2012 Beetle

[Wheatridger]

"I'm here in Wolfburg..."

[Shamucruiser]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

Great links everybody. Thanks for posting them up!!

Same here, we have to wait till early winter, Novemberish, before the car will be available. This way I can see footage and many reviews, without too much Googling. Thanks.

[KNEWBUG]

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo First Drive Review - YouTube

[interna]

The best video until now:

> Seventeen minutes of pure pleasure!

[Cadenza]

It seems many reviews have mentioned the wind noise.

Com'on VW!!! It's 2011, not 1971.

Oh wait, back then the engine was so loud you couldn't hear anything else.

[KNEWBUG]

2012 VW Full Line Introduction, Beetle Turbo Walkaround - YouTube

[XCman]

Originally Posted by Cadenza

It seems many reviews have mentioned the wind noise.

Com'on VW!!! It's 2011, not 1971.

Oh wait, back then the engine was so loud you couldn't hear anything else.

Lol, that is a pretty low standard, keeping that in mind they have done nothing but make steady progress for the past 40yrs! lol

[Herbie3Rivers]

Elwood met Herbie the 3rd today.



Bring on the R. I want one of these bad now that I've driven it!

[XCman]

I don't get it, how is this a turbo but not have the steering wheel controls? I thought they were standard?

[KNEWBUG]

without controls on steering wheel and no carbon fiber dash, sticker says Black Turbo Launch Edition.

[kcfoxie]

Wind noise. I haven't had to think about that since my 80s era VWs. Glad to see that wind noise was a factor of character for the Beetle 3.0.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by XCman

I don't get it, how is this a turbo but not have the steering wheel controls? I thought they were standard?

Actually the turbo has various trim levels just like all other models. I test drove a white turbo 'standard' version and it did not have controls on the wheel.

It also did not have the touch screen as well. Believe those two items are connected. So if it has a touch screen it will have controls on the wheel. No touch screen no controls on the wheel.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[TechnoTrix'd]

One other impression mirrored what the early driving reviews stated. The ride is not as 'tight' as the GTI.

Slightly softer ride and brake pedal feel.

Engine was great, liked the stock sound which is different than the GTI.

Go figure


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[XCman]

TBH, it seems silly to me to have controls on the steering wheel for a touch screen device! lol

Oh I see the need, but wouldn't make more sinse to make the radio not touchscreen and put steering wheel controls w/touchscreen on the steering wheel! lol

Just sayin'