Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[Billsbug]

This is it, or close to it, and there's gonna be a 'range' of VW Beetle models, they just may not say "Beetle" on them. In fact, no Beetle has ever had an OEM "Beetle" badge on them, OB or NB.

[Concept1]

There seem to be two conflicting rumors going around about the next generation Beetle right now. One is that there will simply be a Beetle design variant of the City Expert which will be much smaller than the current Beetle with a 3 cylinder engine mounted in back and no power steering. The other is that it will be based on the upcoming Mk VI Golf platform and be roughly the same size as the current model but with more interior space due to a different wheelbase, roofline, etc.Both are as likely as the other so it could go either way. Perhaps VW doesn't know yet either.

[Billsbug]

I'll bet it's the 1st one.

[71beetle]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Not bad, certainly an improvement from the first renderings.

I had not seen these pictures before. When I first saw it I said that's a Beetle to myself so it passed my criteria for a new Beetle. Criteria = When I see the new one it must say Beetle to me right off the bat and it did. This car could work for me. I actually think it is a modern interpertation of the old (small) Beetle. Good job VW if this is the replacement. I could see this sitting in my driveway.

[Concept1]

Keep in mind the photo is just a crude mockup of what one car magazine thinks it will look like. Personally I doubt the City Expert will even be sold in the US. People are calling it the next "people's car" which is probably why it's assumed to be the next Beetle but I strongly doubt this. Similar to the Rabbit/Jetta where both are the same aside from body style we'll see 3 and 5 door hatchbacks and a sedan. We'll know for sure in just a month.

[mcH]

Gives me a nauseous feeling too. In fact, my first reaction "maybe I can still find an '06 Beetle."

[AccountingTroll]

I want a New Karmann Ghia. The first post looks more like a Ghia to me then a Beetle. But then, the Audi TT looks like a Ghia too. The last picture post here is a VW Polo being compared to the "peoples car" I think.

[SMG]

The TT was originally designed to be the new ghia, but it was given the nameplate from the NSU TT.

[marknuck311]

Found this article, adds a little more insight into the next-generation New Beetle.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/91251.html

It's good news they're acknowledging that the NB will still exist!

[Billsbug]

"A Microbus version was in the project phase including many elements from the Golf Plus II and the next Touran."

[Concept1]

Here is a image of what the next "people's car" might look like...

[XCman]

Originally Posted by Concept1

It's starting to look like the Beetle is being replaced outright by a different model:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/ne...?news_id=16218

Honestly I don't know what's up with Volkswagen these days. Who knows?

WTH?! how is a rear engine, RWD radiator in the front car going to work?! sounds like superb cooling, but if that sucker leaks oh man! what a mess! On the other hand the radiator will probably be very tiny considering they are opting for 1-2 cylinder engines. This has Retro "engineering" written all over it. hehe but it probably get better gas milage than a Old Beetle

Originally Posted by 2nd_BugMan

http://www.autozeitung.de/online/ren...=0062525&size= I cant read it but it looks cool

This is better, but it still has some features that would keep me from buying the car. Like not making the hood round.
Lol and the Dash, by the time the 4th generation comes outit's going to be the size of a football field? lol it does look like it is larger than the New beetle looking at the slop of the windshield.

change the square taillights back to round. Pinch the top a little. Give at least about 5inches of bumper on it to give it more of a slope for the hatch. and it might have retained it shape better.

I do not like how they are shaving the wheel wells to the point where it nearly has none like all other cars. I realize the shape is just terrible for drag. But that wasn't the point of the New Beetle now was it?

Originally Posted by Concept1

Here is a image of what the next "people's car" might look like...

okay you suppose if they slapped VW bus on this sucker ppl would accept it?

[Ollie]

ok- rear-wheel drive, water-cooled rear-engine, front radiator...ummm Vanagon! Worked fine from 1984-1991.
Agree with most of the previous post- but I don't care if they leave the hatch like that and they can leave the taillights square. I would like the hood to actually be cut round.

The text in the first article indicates that the red concept was drawn by a free-lancer who hung out with the real designers. The black and white one is just a 15 minute sketch by a poster on that fan forum.
I've given up on trying to get them to stay retro since the last redesign. At least the little blue rear-engine stays true to the spirit of the beetle more so than the New Beetle did. It looks like a car they could make very affordable and with good mileage and plenty of promotionals like the mini.
Another thought- VW is probably happy to abuse the name Beetle because much of the world- Germany especially- doesn't see the connection between the words Kaefer and Beetle. I have heard German folks talk in the street and at flea markets- seems to be one of the words outside the normal English vocabulary of the average European. I bet you they would never call any of the concepts Kaefer...
Oh- and I have a '74 Love Bug edition standard beetle. It and the Sun Bug were badged with ladybugs and the Sun Bug or Love Bug lettering. The beetle was in its death throes then (at least the Wolfsburg one)- so let's hope they don't start badging anything as "Beetle" now. Just let it be a name earned by whatever VW model deserves it.
That squared hatch might actually make the rear seat liveable

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by XCman

okay you suppose if they slapped VW bus on this sucker ppl would accept it?

For the record I very much doubt the VW City Expert being referred to as the next "people's car" has anything to do with the next generation Beetle. It's just the rear engine design of it that has everyone assuming it simply must be the next Beetle. The original Beetle had a rear engine design after all.

I also have my doubts that the City Expert will even be sold in the US. It's been suggested the next generation New Beetle might be exclusive to North America so one based on the Golf/Rabbit or Polo is more likely in my opinion. Volkswagen has been testing the Polo in the US for a possible introduction here.

Just a few more weeks and we'll see what this City Expert really has to offer...

[XCman]

Concept1 I was talking about this car, fraid I don't know the name of it. This is what I was refering to as slapping VW bus on it. It just looks like one to me Well a modern one anyway I suppose it's not RV like enough

[71beetle]

It's either going to be a (REAL) Beetle or it isn't. If it's not who cares.

[Concept1]

It sounds like the VW City Expert will not be the basis for the next generation Beetle...

"Nobody else than Dr. Martin Winterkorn, head of VW, has confirmed that the VW City Expert will have a rear-engine. He also said the the VW City Expert, which will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, will be a 4-seater and it's possible that the engine will have 3 cylinders.

But the big news is that VW will derive two models from this concept: one targeting Western Europe, this car will be optimized for the metropolitan area and for CO2 emission and comes with air condition, airbags and servo steering support. Price will be around 8000 Euro.

The second model will be for emerging markets like China, Russia, Brazil or India. The car will be downsized in terms of accessories but therefore will cost only around 5000 to 7000 Euro.

VW also said that there will be no model below this car. It's still undecided which brand will offer these low-cost models, for emerging markets it might be Skoda. The two will hit the road not before 2010."

http://www.presseportal.de/pm/17123/..._industrie/rss

I've felt it more likely to be based on the next generation Golf (or possibly Polo) platform anyway.

[Seanele]

Is this for real?...a new rear engine Beetle?

[Beetlemania]

So far there's only been a square-ish hatchback released, but at first I was hearing that there'd be a Beetle-shaped car coming out, too.

[Pastor Mike]

Just received the latest copy of the emag, Winding Road, which included some renderings of the next gen NB and NBC.

Since the mag is a David E. Davis, Jr., pub, and the article derived the fine details from VW design chief, there is a fair amount of credibility here.

Personally, I think the design is terrific.