Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[Yurko]

Did a search and it doesn't appear that this news has made it to NB.org yet. The article can be found here.

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.

[Yurko]

I can accept the idea of moving the engine back to the rear, but come on, a 3 cylinder with no power steering? with no rear seats we should be getting something bigger back there.

[GINA]

I'm diggin the whole idea -- except for no power steering. Can't wait to see some sketches.

[PlatEdLoveBug]

OMG....

no power steering....

i might dig it with more of an engine and powersteering

[Nounours]

Well, when most of the weight is in the rear, the steering is not so hard to turn. I remember on the original Beetles (OK I'm old).

Interesting news.

[bugsy98nb]

Ahem


http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20014

[Yurko]

Originally Posted by bugsy98nb

Ahem


http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20014

my apologies for the redundancy. yay for crappy search tools.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by Yurko

my apologies for the redundancy. yay for crappy search tools.

HEHE its all good

[boblamb58]

With the engine and hence weight in the rear, you won't need power steering..

whiners

[barrabiuri]

im gunna cry if they do that!


NO NO !

[barrabiuri]

It looks nice, but maybe they could come up with another name for that car instead of stealing beetle!

[SMG]

Originally Posted by barrabiuri

It looks nice, but maybe they could come up with another name for that car instead of stealing beetle!

Don't worry it won't happen.

[Shamucruiser]

I still feel the drawing of that orange "beetle" is just based on a European "middle of the road" VAG model called Seat Leon.

[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?

[GatorBeetle]

That is what I was expecting to happen eventually.

[Billsbug]

Good! An entirely new model name may help retain our re-sale value.

[digitalputty]

I suppose that most of us now can say that we know how the 'classic beetle people' felt when OUR bugs came out.

I dont like the direction VW is going right now and I hope they scrap the idea.

[71beetle]

If you are going to build a new Beetle VW, build a real Beetle. I don't want to see some generic clone of evey other two bit hatchback on the market. If I can't look at it and say Beetle right off the bat it's not a Beetle. Build a real Beetle replacement or you can stuff it.

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by SMG

Wouldn't surprise me, the MKV's are fugly.

The Jetta looks great in black. The chrome/black mix well!

Originally Posted by digitalputty

I agree. The Jetta and Passats are Toyota's and Nissans. However, the Rabbit and GTi are both growing on me. :P

I'm happy the rear looks 'common' because it makes it harder to identify at a distance.

I think this concepted Mini/Smart rear-enging competitor may be the "beetle mini" replacement, more similar to concept 1 on the polo-style platform. I think they could pull that off, even with safety testing. Price it about like the Rabbit, or lower. Get into the $12,000 range like Honda can do at times. Bring back the real "people's car."

[Steve_pnchbug]

The new desighn would I think in turn help vw in its now tuner like vision. But in all honesty like they said befor if you have to but a badge saying "beetle" then its not one!!! personaly I think it looks alot like the new Altima 2 door sport but in a hothack form; with the side huging fenders and the headlights that swoop up the hood and a short 350Z front, but hey thats just me.Tell me what you think, but picture it as a hatch back