Next Gen New Beetle Rumors

[Concept1]

Looks like Bernhard is telling all prior to his rumored move to Daimler...

http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=223167



"Bernhard admitted VW is also working on a Passat-based four-door coupe to rival the Mercedes CLS."


"On environmental issues, VW has already announced a tie-up with Mercedes and Audi to develop ultra-clean diesels under the Bluetec label, and will expand its range of TSI petrol engines – some with superchargers and turbochargers; other solely with turbos."


"By 2009 a petrol-electric hybrid engine will be available for the Touareg."


"Bernhard also confirmed there will be a replacement for the Beetle that is 'bolder' than the current retro car."




http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&article=11502

TCC: Let's turn to something else. What's happening on the product side?

BERNHARD: It starts with the Tiguan, a small SUV, we're launching in Los Angeles , and there are 19 more new products to come.

[FineExampl]

The headline of the artice says a NEW new beetle, but the article itself doesn't say They will be keeping the Beetle. There hasn't been one article i've read that says the Beetle will be kept, just that there will be a replacement for the Beetle...bold or not.

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

Still, it's nice to see others are keeping up on VW news, so no disrespect Concept1.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by FineExampl

The headline of the artice says a NEW new beetle, but the article itself doesn't say They will be keeping the Beetle. There hasn't been one article i've read that says the Beetle will be kept, just that there will be a replacement for the Beetle...bold or not.

"Despite the diversification of the brand with the Scirocco, Tiguan and four-door coupe, VW will not be stretching into other new market niches. 'That's as far as it goes,' Bernhard said."

+

"Bernhard also confirmed there will be a replacement for the Beetle that is 'bolder' than the current retro car."


They are doing a complete redesign of the Beetle, not replacing it with a Polo or anything like that. We already knew this from other sources here but it's nice to hear from VW direct.

[FineExampl]

I get it, but "Bernhard also confirmed there will be a replacement for the Beetle that is 'bolder' than the current retro car." doesn't say the Beetle will be staying, just that there will be some kind of replacement. Unless there's another article saying the Beetle is staying, but updated, i have to say i'll believe it when i see it.

[mgwerks]

Maybe if we're lucky, it'll be a retro Karmann Ghia! Or better yet, a Hebmuller!!! That would sure be bolder...

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by mgwerks

Maybe if we're lucky, it'll be a retro Karmann Ghia!

BaldyLox would pee his pants if that happened!

The way I read it is that the Beetle is going to be 'replaced'?

[Beetlemania]

Originally Posted by mgwerks

Maybe if we're lucky, it'll be a retro Karmann Ghia!...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Audi has it! It's the TT! I refer to them as the New Ghia.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by JuggBug

BaldyLox would pee his pants if that happened!

The way I read it is that the Beetle is going to be 'replaced'?

I wouldn't worry about it. Bernhard stated in the past the New Beetle would continue and he specifically mentioned here that the Tiguan, Scirocco and Passat Coupe would be the only completely new models added to the lineup. The rest would be either major or minor redesigns. If the New Beetle was being replaced by a different car with a different name it would have been mentioned along with those three.

There are also a few people on this forum and elsewhere who have attended VW meetings where it was stated an all new New Beetle was being designed and they even specified production numbers. I imagine they will use the Mk VI platform in order to share more parts. The New Beetle doesn't have to be that much different under the hood. That's what aftermarket parts are for.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by FineExampl

I get it, but "Bernhard also confirmed there will be a replacement for the Beetle that is 'bolder' than the current retro car." doesn't say the Beetle will be staying, just that there will be some kind of replacement. Unless there's another article saying the Beetle is staying, but updated, i have to say i'll believe it when i see it.

Note that Bernhard also stated there are only three entirely new models planned. The Tiguan, Scirocco and Passat Coupe. He was very clear that VW was not going to introduce any more than that with the remaining 16 being new versions of existing models. If the New Beetle was being replaced by a different car with a different name it would have been mentioned. There is a video clip out there of someone from VW, I think Bernhard, saying the next New Beetle would be bolder. Same words.

You'll just have to wait until 2009 until I'm proven correct.

[SMG]

I don't think the TT is really a nod to anything, and if it is, it's to the old NSU Tourist Trophy (TT), the new TT shares way more lines with the NSU.

[Pushing Fifty]

Replacing it with an updated version is one thing, but it would be insane to completely drop the New Beetle. In the US, the NB is VW's third-bestselling model, and although we'll probably never see sales numbers like those of 1998-2001, the car still breaks 30K sales per year. In 2006, (as of November 30,) NB Coupe sales are up 12.6% over the same period in 2005. The convertible is down 10.5%, which is disappointing, but I attribute that to the $5000 or so price differential. I would like to believe that with the Porsche influence that will be forthcoming, there will always be a place in the VW lineup for a Beetle of some sort. Back in the late 1970's, I'll never forget when I first heard that VW was discontinuing the Beetle in the US. That was a sad day.

[ilpotosino]

is it gonna be make in mexico?!....

[hestersu]

The New Beetle is made in Mexico today. No big surprise that another version or even another new model would be made there. All New Beetles, regardless of where it is sold, is made in Puebla, Mexico.

[71beetle]

It was a sad day in the 70's when the Beetle died. I hope VW remembers what happend to their USA sales when they killed it? The only VW that interests me is the BUG, no BUG, I could care less if there is a VW America.

[xscribe]

You mean 2004.

[71beetle]

Originally Posted by xscribe

You mean 2004.
Attachment 26718

If that's the new one for 09 I will put my order in tomorrow.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by Concept1

...the next New Beetle would be bolder

[johnmichael]

I'd sell my TS and buy that in a heartbeat. Off to the revo dealer!

[Beeble]

Originally Posted by mgwerks

Maybe if we're lucky, it'll be a retro Karmann Ghia!

Every time I buy a lottery ticket, I tell my wife "If I win this, the first thing I'm going to do is buy a Boxster and send it to California for a custom-fitted Karmann Ghia update.

If VW would do the job for me, I'd buy it so fast it would make your head spin. I have had three KGs in the past and would warmly welcome a fourth.

[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