Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[Dorado]

Originally Posted by Pushing Fifty

The Beetle IS Volkswagen. I will be very disappointed if it doesn't live on.

Don't worry, the sales numbers back this up. In the US, even with the spike in GTI sales last year, the NB and NBC combined sell a lot more than the Golf and GTI combined. And the NB is conveniently manufactured for this market in Mexico.

IN the US, the New Beetle is Volkswagen. It's the car that brings new customers to VW and former customers back to VW.

[wawalker]

I've said it before and I'll say it again--the NB will die. First, the hardtop and eventually the convertible. I'm not sure when, but I don't think it'll be long for the hardtop. If you look back at VW history you will see how it's common for the convertible variant to hang around a few extra years. Why would VW redesign the NB totally? I would be shocked if they did--I don't care what the press releases say--we've been down that road before. It is more likely that VW would bring the Polo (or something similar) here as their entry level car. Why? Let's face it--a Polo would have a broader market appeal.

[Fowvay]

I would be in utter shock as well and most likely severely dissapointed as the slap the Beetle name on some common conveance like a Polo.

This is at least my opinion. An opinion mind you that is usuallly right when it comes to what VW will build and what they won't.

[digitalputty]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

IMO the new body style should have been a progression of the Turbo S, but let me put it this way; Porsche executives have recently told the designers at VW: "Back to the drawing board boys."

Yeah. They were probably talking about the new Jetta and Passat styling. Looks Honda/Toyota like. Bleh.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by Dorado

Don't worry, the sales numbers back this up. In the US, even with the spike in GTI sales last year, the NB and NBC combined sell a lot more than the Golf and GTI combined. And the NB is conveniently manufactured for this market in Mexico.

IN the US, the New Beetle is Volkswagen. It's the car that brings new customers to VW and former customers back to VW.

Nice stats and insight...

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by SMG

I don't think the NB is dated at all, it has a timless design and they really hold their own on the road.

Some other 1998 cars:






Are they still looking as modern as the NB, 9 years later?

SMG

I'm with SMG on this one.

The pre-06 NB's may look dated to "us", but in general, they are still as distincive now as they were back in '98. No other manuafacture has emulated the total commitment to "round", so it continues to be unique amoung today's newer shapes.

Now, the '06 and beyonds are caving into more of the edgy stuff (fenders and front/rear valance areas), but they have not gone as exteme as the Ragster look.

I've said it before and I will say it again, the NB will be produced until they no long sell that magical minimal target number which VWofA has set for them as a product line.

It is a business and they make money with the NB. Until they lose the needed margin on this product, they will keep on building them.

One final thought is that the NB out-sells the Golf platform "only" in the US market. This is why there are not the R&D dollars floating around for a complete upgrade like the Golf/Jetta/Passat's.

TechnoTrix'd...

[TechnoTrix'd]

Just to piggy back on what Bill stated, I do feel that the convertable will be the "last" NB produced for the exact reasons stated.

I also feel (IMHO) that the NB will be phased out of Europe and other VW markets before the axe falls in the US.

It may take a few years, but I believe you will see a shrinking distribution chain for the cars prior to VW stopping production of the NB line all together.

TechnoTrix'd...

[Pushing Fifty]

I just talked to a VW Rep in Product Information, and he says that the NB will soldier on as long as sales warrant its production. If 30K + Beetles go out the door annually in The US, as they steadily have since 2002 or so, it will live indefinitely. Conversely, if sales were to dramatically plummet, I'm sure they would re-think things. But as long as there are people like us, I wouldn't worry.


This, however, is the hideous rendering I couldn't locate for awhile. Please, VW, don't do this!!!!! Lose the TT/350Z slope and that horrid spoiler!

[hoonbug]

If anything, the Hot Rod and Dune versions they had out as concept cars a couple of years ago are more likely to be the "manly" things they'd want to do. Dune = Baja beetles.

For the Hot Rod version, unless you're only going to service warmer climes, the roof line makes a slightly impractical car even more impractical. I doubt they'd make it in any numbers as it can't be a person's only car as it's simply too impractical. The New Beetle coupe and convertible can easily be your only car - as we all know.

For the Dune, a hot engine with proper off road AWD and a practical interior would attract the manly men who like to race offroad (or at least they think they do).

I doubt they'd move it to the Polo platform. Although modern Polo is Golf II sized, Golf / Rabbit sales prove that hatches simply don't sell in the USA. The folks who want a hatch buy SUVs or minivans. If only gas was $4 / gallon, I'm sure a lot of folks buying CR-V's and what not would look hard at Golf's / Rabbits. Except that the 6 cylinder CR-V gets about the same fuel economy as the 2.5 Rabbit. VW really need to bring FSI 2.0 engines here. Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of the 2.5, but I've also tasted the FSI 2.0 and it simply craps all over the 2.5 for responsiveness and outright speed and has the fuel economy I'd expect in 2007. The 100 kW 2.0 TDI is even better - unbelievable anywhere you want it grunt with great fuel economy (over 40 mpg). It's a totally different ball game. Makes the 2.5 seem like a weedy kid with a fuel habit.

Andrew

[Concept1]

They also need to bring over the TSI engines.

[Concept1]

There is an article (in German) about the next version of the New Beetle due by 2010. Hard to say how accurate the sketches are but it is said that it's being developed by the California design group and will not be restrained by the need to be retro as before. I hope they at least stick with the round headlights and taillights. It looks too much like the Audi TT to me. Looks like a cool car but is it still a Beetle?

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/n...2062_14194.hbs


Keep in mind the sketches are simply based on word they will not be required to stick with a retro design. They do not come from VW. It may not be quite this radical a departure.

[taterbug]

Wow.... kinda reminds me of a Scirocco

[www.beetles.de]

Look here for more details:
-> http://www.beetle-forum.de/New-Beetl...ir-_66501.html

[Pushing Fifty]

At least that B&W sketch somewhat RESEMBLES a Beetle, unlike the ones posted above. I'm not saying it looks bad. In fact, it's pretty cool, but it sure isn't a Beetle. It reminds me of what an updated MG would look like...........

[missruby]

Hrmmmmmmmmmm ... looks like I'll have to get Miss Ruby a little convertible sister!!!

[wawalker]

Yeah, well, let's just rebadge the Polo "New New Beetle" and call it done!

If they need to put "Beetle" on it somewhere so people will know what it is, it ain't a Beetle no mo'.

So, if this is accurate, we know the NB is done by 2010, when it will be replaced by an imposter.

[LadybugEwa]

NOT a Beetle!
From the side view, it could be a new Mazda.
From the back view, it could be an Audi.
It's just not distinct enough to be any kind of Beetle.
And those angular tail lights? Sacrilege!

[ristinkay]

Definitly looks like one of the audis that is in production over in Europe actually I know the guy who developed the audi design I refer too

[mel72349]

Here's the poll so far:

VOLKSWAGEN Beetle, the next generation - How do you find the Design?

Wow, a genuine jump forward. 48,43%

Bääh, does not please me at all. 20,17%

Makes the Beetle a genuine mini competitor 15,47%

Only interesting to Americans 15,91%

[Dragonspirit12]

umm....?