Return of the people's car

[mel72349]

VW planning new rear-engine car.
From the June issue of Automobile Magazine:
http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...n_rear_engine/

The rear-engine Volkswagen is coming back. Sources deep inside VW's headquarters have indicated that the company currently is working on a rump-motored, water-cooled small car, one that mimics the original Beetle in both layout and purpose.

Here's what we know so far: Volkswagen's reinvention of its iconic people's car will have its engine situated on top of the transaxle and a radiator in the nose. Three wheelbase options and two body styles will be offered worldwide, but only two variations will come to the United States: a 130-inch-long Beetle reincarnation aimed at the Smart ForTwo and a no-frills, four-door notchback likely to be marketed as a smaller, cheaper Jetta. Pricing will be in the $10,000-to-$14,000 range.

Other details? As a cost-reducing measure, power steering won't be offered, but ABS, satellite navigation, and a sunroof will be available. Although third-world countries will receive a two-cylinder engine (emerging markets may even get a one-cylinder unit), U.S. cars will likely be powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected three-cylinder. According to our sources, reviving the rear-engine everyman's Volkswagen was largely Ferdinand Piëch's idea. Piëch--the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the man behind the original Beetle--reportedly convinced VW chairman Martin Winterkorn that the dynamically challenged rear-engine layout was charming enough to succeed.

We don't doubt that a rear-engine layout can be made to work safely in an inexpensive small car. One executive has admitted that the company plans to "install [stability control] to address handling issues." But we're still not sold on the rear-engine idea.

VW long ago abandoned the people's car demographic for richer climes. Most recently, Piëch's grand vision for the brand lay in cars like the failed Phaeton. Now it's back to a bottom-of-the-market, rear-engine econobox? Considering the holes and lackluster offerings in VW's mainstream lineup, maybe its leaders should resist going off on wild tangents and concentrate on VW's core business: building cars for--you guessed it--ordinary people.

[boblamb58]

I knew there was a reason why I have not considered trading in just yet

Now, if they'd offer it with diesel....

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by mel72349

Other details? As a cost-reducing measure, power steering won't be offered, but ABS, satellite navigation, and a sunroof will be available.

huh? i'd rather have power steering than satellite navigation!

i'd love to see the beetle brought back, but wait, er, it did come back (the new beetle) and uh, didn't they make it in mexico until 2003? i'm cornfused.

i'd also love to see a myraid of cars under $15,000, too. it pains me that the average cost of a new car nowadays is $20K.

[niki]

I agree with Erin... I do well without navigation, but driving without power steering (since I didn't learn to drive without it) would be tough. I hate driving a car without power steering! The power steering went out on Bugzzi one time and I didn't think I'd be able to get off the freeway!!!

[mel72349]

FYI, rear-engined cars are inherently light steering because of the rear-weight bias. I don't think the original Beetle ever had power steering, but I'm not sure because a lot of the '60s is just a blur...

[niki]

Haha... I understand. I have driven cars without it, but, like I said, learning to drive WITH it and then going to a car WITHOUT it is not that same as learning to drive without it and going to a car with it. I just like the ease of things. Especially tooting around busy CA freeways.

But I do like the idea of putting the engine back in the caboose. Most people assume that's where it's at anyway hence all the gas station questions like, "Hey! Is the engine still in the back?!"

[2nd_BugMan]

Who needs power steering? My 1st beetle didn't have it, but did have a custome smaller steering wheel with a quick steer kit. As long as you are rolling it worked just find. Parelle parking could be a problem if the tire weren't rolling. Also
an advantage is steering works when the engine is off.
I would realy love a back to basics car.

[TommyK8]

It's all great to be reminiscent, and I am just as guilty as most because sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a time warp after listening to so much 80's on 8 on XM radio. But realistically, is there a car on the American market that doesn't have power steering?

[Concept1]

I sure hope they come out with a diesel version of the current model before introducing this flop. No power steering? What decade is this? What century is this?

[pdoel]

A car without power steering isn't so bad. Especially for a rear engine / rear drive car.

My 1989 VW Fox didn't have power steering. I'd kill to go back to that car. It handled better than any of the modern VW's I've driven.

[mgwerks]

I'm sorry that some of you see the lack of power steering as some kind of deficit. The amount of road feel you get through manual steering is electrifying. Also realize that the ratios are different, so it isn't a high-effort thing. Makes it feel more like driving a car than like sttering a boat, which is what power steering can feel like in comparison.

[Concept1]

I grew up with cars that lacked power steering. I see no reason to go back to that. Having the engine in the rear also means far less cargo space as well. At least with the current model you can fold down the rear seat for more room. What are you going to do with the new model? Remove the hood? They will be pushing the Beetle further into a niche car.

Why not just add the 2.0 Bluetec Diesel and 1.4 TSI engines to the current one and be done with it?

Unless this is some über economical 70+ mpg diesel-electric hybrid I don't see why they would go this route.

[MedfordBumbleBee]

I sure miss the simplicity of my 73 Super Beetle. I wouldn't mind a car without power steering. Now if you ask me to give up a/c or my XM radio... those would be fighting words.

I would definately look at the new rear engine beetle as a good everyday driver especially if the mileage is great with gas costing $3.50 a gallon and looking like it will continue to go up.

Ed

[Dorado]

The Smart 2-seater has been a success in Canada, and they are expecting it to do well in the US as well. At the same time, BMW has seen very good sales for the Mini in the US.

So VW may put in the historically odd position, in that BMW and Mercedes may get to sell smaller cars in the US than they do. That may be why they are considering a small 3 cylinder ...

[niki]

Bah... I don't need a car that does not come with power steering. I don't care how small or how easy it is. It's something I'm used to and I would not want to get used to something else because I am stubborn. Simple as that. I enjoy the ease of my PS. Why would I not have it when I could just as easily have it? Unless it drove like my PS car, I probably wouldn't even consider it.

And I also wouldn't give up the AC either Not in CA!!!

[Shay]

I guess my next car wont be a beetle

[SMG]

If they come out with this I'll be all over it. I doubt they'd scrap AC. Not having AC isn't really an option for a lot of markets.

With an engine in the rear I'm sure manual steering would be fine.

[lojasmo]

Wow! Rear engine, RWD, manual steering and a DI turbo engine!

I'll be all over that.

Staggered wheels, chip, and a larger intercooler, and that thing will rip.

[Beetlemania]

I'm very excited about this! I'd love to have all 3 types of Beetles one of these days. And Shay, I'm pretty sure this will not be a replacement for the New Beetle, just a revisit of the classic!

[lucian]

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