Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by CrazyJames

I'd rather have the GTD.

GTD!! GTD!!

I bet I could beat your GTD in a race with the TDI Roadster....

[TrudysMom]

NO4, what is an A4?

The New Beetle need not be redone. It is perfect. I think if a new car style is wanted, they should just make a new one with a new name.

However, I DO wish there were some wonderful and colorful commercials for the Beetle. Volkswagon could do so much with this car!!!

[BUGSTUFF]

Originally Posted by pdoel

Actually, the next model year usually starts coming out around August. Production starts much earlier.

Our '98 was built at the end of July. But things may have changed since then.

[Deserion]

This is the roadster in question:

[ladytonya]

WOW!!!!!!!!

I might just wet myself if I ever saw that driving down the road! Sweet!

[MichelleRoze]

I don't know. I like both Roadsters pictured. I love the light blue color. I'm assuming that one was the "concept" car. And the second pic is what they made of it. Sad that we might not get to see that here.

Tonya...I get that feeling everytime I see the new Camero on the road...lol .... I have a thing for muscle/hot rod/sports cars....why I don't have the Turbo S I have no idea....yes I do...I love my TDI!

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by TrudysMom

The New Beetle need not be redone. It is perfect. I think if a new car style is wanted, they should just make a new one with a new name.

Actually, the truth is, the NB HAS to be redone or it's done. These aren't the 60's where a car can continue on and on and on with no changes.

The NB has already gone through a refreshening. In this day and age, 6 years on one platform is ancient. 13 is ridiculous.

And as government regulations change, manufacturers are forced to increase safety, gas mileage, etc. throughout model years. That's much easier to do when you built it into currently updating platforms, rather than on ancient platform that is used only by one vehicle.

But keep in mind, a redesign isn't a bad thing, and I always wonder why people think it is. I think people fear that VW is so stupid as to redesign the NB and have it no longer look like one. Look out Audis. Do you have any trouble telling an A4 throughout the different generations? How about a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Do you see the new ones and have on idea what kind of vehicle they are?

The NB, if redesigned, is going to keep the same design cues, no question. VW isn't that stupid. The plus side is, the newer platforms are great. As much as I love the MKIV platform and the NB, my A3 on the MKV platform is an incredible vehicle. I'd LOVE a NB on that platform. More reliable, much smoother engine, etc.

[mrchaotica]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

Its VERY close to the new TT:

No it's not. The TT is FWD, but the Bluesport roadster concept (the second one, that Deserion posted) is a mid-engine, RWD layout. If built, it would probably share a platform with the Porsche Boxter -- that's better than a TT any day!

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by mrchaotica

No it's not. The TT is FWD, but the Bluesport roadster concept (the second one, that Deserion posted) is a mid-engine, RWD layout. If built, it would probably share a platform with the Porsche Boxter -- that's better than a TT any day!

Actually the TT is offered in quattro as long as you go with the 6cylinder. I was referring to the styling of the two cars. I've owned a handful of roadsters over the last few years and I wouldn't touch a Boxter. They lack style and appeal in my eyes.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

Actually the TT is offered in quattro as long as you go with the 6cylinder.

It looks as if the TT can be had as a quattro 2.0t for this year. But that's neither here nor there.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

It looks as if the TT can be had as a quattro 2.0t for this year. But that's neither here nor there.

According to Audi, this may be the last year for a 2.0T sans quattro. I read that awhile back, but not sure where.

Shannon won't touch a Porsche?

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

According to Audi, this may be the last year for a 2.0T sans quattro. I read that awhile back, but not sure where.

Shannon won't touch a Porsche?

There's a '09 2.0 quattro on Ebay. No, I don't care for Porsche. People who buy Porsches are paying for the name brand only. I'd rather have a BMW (or Mercedes) - depending on what I'm looking for.

[TrudysMom]

I really don't think the Beetle has to have a big change. It is not a regular car. Many other cars look like each other. Beetles are different and uplifting cars.

If you change the Beetle too much, it is not a Beetle. Beetles have been here longer than most cars. Many cars are only made a few years.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by TrudysMom

I really don't think the Beetle has to have a big change. It is not a regular car. Many other cars look like each other. Beetles are different and uplifting cars.

If you change the Beetle too much, it is not a Beetle. Beetles have been here longer than most cars. Many cars are only made a few years.

It definitely needs more engine options!

[mrchaotica]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

Actually the TT is offered in quattro as long as you go with the 6cylinder.

Still, not the same thing.

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

...I wouldn't touch a Boxter. They lack style and appeal in my eyes.

I completely agree... which is why a VW version (with different styling) is so great!

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by TrudysMom

I really don't think the Beetle has to have a big change. It is not a regular car. Many other cars look like each other. Beetles are different and uplifting cars.

If you change the Beetle too much, it is not a Beetle. Beetles have been here longer than most cars. Many cars are only made a few years.

None of that is true. The NB is a fairly new (model) compared to most. The Civic, Golf, Jetta, Accord, Impala, A4, etc. etc. etc. have been around for DECADES. The NB has been around for 13 years. That's nothing.

But still, the truth is, the NB MUST be moved to an updated platform or it's dead. VW basis many models on a platform (the MKIV, MKV platforms support the Golf, Jetta, GTI, TT, NB, A3). It's not cost efficient to keep one model behind. Any government mandated changes, whether it's safety, gas mileage, etc., would require serious changes to a platform that is no longer in development. Why would VW want to put money into a platform that's basically dead and completely outdated?

Noone said that the NB needs to be completely changed to something you don't recognize. A new platform does not mean changing the design to a car that's no longer a NB. Sure, there will be differences, but you'll look at it and KNOW it's a NB. Just like the vehicles I've posted before.

And again, these aren't the 60's. You can't keep a car going for long without a redesign, and the sales for the NB prove it. They've been dropping every year since it came out.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by mrchaotica

Still, not the same thing.

Of course not! I never implied nor said that it was.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by pdoel

But still, the truth is, the NB MUST be moved to an updated platform or it's dead. VW basis many models on a platform (the MKIV, MKV platforms support the Golf, Jetta, GTI, TT, NB, A3). It's not cost efficient to keep one model behind. Any government mandated changes, whether it's safety, gas mileage, etc., would require serious changes to a platform that is no longer in development. Why would VW want to put money into a platform that's basically dead and completely outdated?

Well pete, iirc, the nb isn't the only mk4 left. Don't forget about the City Golf and Jetta. There are probably others too like the Touran we don't (BUT SHOULD) get here. But eventually, they all will get changed.

[raff]

Don't know about the City Golf, but the current Jetta is not built on the Mk IV platform.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

Well pete, iirc, the nb isn't the only mk4 left. Don't forget about the City Golf and Jetta. There are probably others too like the Touran we don't (BUT SHOULD) get here. But eventually, they all will get changed.

True, VW is still producing some of the other MKIVs for other markets, but, keep in mind, they are all priced well below what the MKV versions are. So it was a way for VW to have a more economical vehicle in some markets.

But again, you aren't going to be seeing new engines, safety features, etc., in these models. And people are buying them as cheap, economical transportation. And even these won't be around all that long.

Just think of how many times we've seen threads begging for information about the next model year. "Ooo! Anybody know what's going to be changing for next year? Anybody see any pictures? Anybody see any at dealerships".

When it comes to automobiles, people get excited about change. Sure, with the NB, people worry that VW is going to go insane and change the design. But that won't happen. The original Beetle had thousands of changes made it to over the years, but it was always still a Beetle. Even the NB, for being DECADES ahead of the original, is there any doubt what it is?