Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[Mr.Yellow]

Originally Posted by joe1347

Maybe the new Audi R8 styling hints to the future of VW styling. How about a New New Beetle that's a cross between the R8 and the current NB?


http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_1905.shtml

VW already has the new GTi that hase some styling hints from audi

[SMG]

I'm not feeling the whole Audi theme on a NB, it just doesn't work with the roundness people expect from a NB.

A few styling cues from Porsche however.... That has some potential.

SMG

[Beeble]

I'm trying to imagine how much it would take to make an R8 look like a retro-styled Ghia clone.

Not too much, actually....

[SMG]

Ok, for similarities between the Karmann Ghia and the R8, I'm seeing:

4 wheels.
Same number of Windows.

I can't see anything else similar between the two.

[Beeble]

Overall shape, position of passengers on chassis, height vs. length. If you squint and look at the profile, it's much more like a Ghia than a Beetle or a Mustang.

[SMG]

Overall shape isn't even close. We could sit here and argue about it all day but they both look similar because they both happen to be cars and that's where the similarities end.

[XSuMZX]

Originally Posted by FineExampl

I'd need a statement like "The Beetle will be redesigned" in order for it to hold any water.

I went to a dealership Thursday and the sales person leaked some information to me.

They are keeping the NB, but they're making it so it will appeal to men too (not that men don't like the NB as it is...). I guess the majority female thing isn't working for VW.

I'm curious to see what's going to happen to the NB as we know it.

[Beetlemania]

What a brilliant way to get info, Summer! And I love the response they gave you. Actually it's a bit odd, compared to my experience. I usually know more about the line than the salespeople. Sounds like your dealership knows their stuff!

I'm also interested to see what a "man's" Beetle will look/perform like. Hopefull the men they're catering to will be the shadetree mechanics. But I doubt it. I really hope it's not (no offense, guys) the Fast and the Furious type of men. That's not what the Beetle is! Though it can be made that way, it's not what it should be sold as.

[Dorado]

Have no fear. VW is not cutting the NB for the US. It is made in Puebla, MX, precisely because it will sell best in this market. And in the US VW sells every year more NB and NBC combined, by far, than they sell Golf and GTI. The NB is the face of the brand in the US, no doubt.

I would love the redesign to make it roomier in the back seat, split 2/3 rear seat, maybe even a half-door (name?) to get into the back. Also, better trunk space. Include more carbon-fiber components to reduce weight and improve fuel economy, and keep the engine choices, this time gas (40 mpg twincharger like the Gulf Plus), turbodiesel TDI 50 mpg, and turbodiesel-hybrid 60mpg. Market the diesel-hybrid as the 1000 mile per tank beetle.

[SMG]

Delete me, my dealer told me the wrong numbers.

[Dorado]

Originally Posted by XSuMZX

I went to a dealership Thursday and the sales person leaked some information to me.

They are keeping the NB, but they're making it so it will appeal to men too (not that men don't like the NB as it is...). I guess the majority female thing isn't working for VW.

I'm curious to see what's going to happen to the NB as we know it.

Since females in the household have quite a lot of decision power when it comes to new car purchases, I don't know if that would be a good move.

And most cars today feature an "aggressive" styling, yet females still decide overall which sell more.

So having a car that appeals very easily to females, to me is an asset for VW dealers, and for men who want to buy them.

[XSuMZX]

Originally Posted by Beetlemania

What a brilliant way to get info, Summer! And I love the response they gave you. Actually it's a bit odd, compared to my experience. I usually know more about the line than the salespeople. Sounds like your dealership knows their stuff!

I just changed dealerships (THE best VW dealership I have EVER been to-- they washed my car after the brake light switch replacement and treated me in a civilized manner! ) and the boyfriend was looking to trade his GLI for a GTI so we were chatting it up with the salesperson.

They actually just came right and said it and made mention that their coworker even mentioned that it wasn't even on the vortex yet, haha.

[Beetlemania]

Sounds like a good shop to move to. Wish I had choices here, but at least the 1 option we do have has gotten better these last couple of years. Well, service-wise anyway. I haven't bought anything in a while. I'll have to check it out more in a couple of years, for grins if nothing else!

[digitalputty]

I like that Audi ... mmmmmmmm. I wanna model it. If I ever had time .....

I think ... they should kill the pod for about 3 years (until 2010) and then unleash a newer smaller - or one on the new Mark VI platform. That would be sexah. And ... a larger engine that has a TURBO. Turbos rock.

[Mortville]

It would be nice if it were a bit longer in the rear...

[SMG]

....Why?

[pdoel]

Well, hate to burst some bubbles, but this idea of wanting to attract more men to the New Beetle is not something new that VW is going to try with the next gen. That was the whole purpose of the 2006 make over. That was also the whole purpose of the Turbo S.

So it's not exactly breaking news. It's been in quite a few magazines and VW news info for a couple years.

[Pushing Fifty]

And to a degree, it's working. New Beetle coupe sales for 2006 improved 12% over 2005. I'm not crazy about the 2006+ fenders, but if it keeps the Beetle alive, I'm all for it. There's a guy in my VW club who's actually thinking of buying a 2007 and changing them to < 2005 style. I wouldn't go that far myself. Eventually, they'll grow on me, I suppose........

[EvilinaDM101]

Originally Posted by joe1347

Maybe the new Audi R8 styling hints to the future of VW styling. How about a New New Beetle that's a cross between the R8 and the current NB?


http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_1905.shtml

My hubby and I saw these beauties the other day at the Ritz Carlton Las Vegas....there wereabout 8 of them and they were SMOKIN!!! I took some pics and I'll post them tonight.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by Pushing Fifty

And to a degree, it's working. New Beetle coupe sales for 2006 improved 12% over 2005. I'm not crazy about the 2006+ fenders, but if it keeps the Beetle alive, I'm all for it. There's a guy in my VW club who's actually thinking of buying a 2007 and changing them to < 2005 style. I wouldn't go that far myself. Eventually, they'll grow on me, I suppose........

Why, so he could have the 2.5L engine? If you retro-fit an '07 back to an '05, it's just an '05 with the 2.5L engine, cuz the new front/rear lights won't fit on the '05 fenders, u'd hafta replace everything. Itza nutty idea. Oh I forgot, u'd get the fabulous new cupholders, emergency brake and gauge pod.