New Beetle Final Edition

[MichelleRoze]

I think the biggest issue is the fact that the beetle will always be deemed the "cute" car. So less after market companies make body kits, extra parts, parts to increase speed, performance, etc.

Unless you were in absolute LOVE with the NB body, why would you get a NB when you could get a Golf, or GTI ???

Don't get me wrong, I love my NB and I can't wait to make him a "non-cute" car. I want him to be a "sleep", a slug bug on the out side and speed demon on in the inside.

But think about it. NBs hardly get respect from other VW people. Anyone ever been to a VW GTG, not NB specific? We're the "round ones". Beetles don't fit that sporty, racing, ricer type feel. Probably why they sadly got rid of the Turbo S, CC, and Diesel. VW probably realized that Beetles were "cute" and marketed them that way. As some of you have noticed, the fun, bright colors have disappeared, and now we're more into pastels and soft beige, etc. Only makes the car "cuter". It's no longer a revolutionary, re-live the past, kinda car. Plus when the convertible came out, the NB because a cute, mid-life crisis kinda car. And most women in their mid-life crisis want a convertible but dont' want a bright noticeable color. The brightest they would want is Red. So, pastels and beige came along, made the car look softer and more girl friendly. The auto tranny proved to also be girl friendly, for those that refuse to learn how to drive a stick. A soft pastel NB convertible with an automatic and no turbo proved to be a comfortable, cute ride that isn't a sport car. And of course they came out with the "new" body style. The flat sided fenders, thin streamline blinkers, little (what it looks to me) rainbow brakelights (when they light up), all tried to make the car classy/cute. Removing just about everything that resembled the car to be a "sports car".

I read somewhere that VW was going to remake the beetle and make it more "american-ized" with bigger cup holders, bigger seats, maybe even a 4 door or something like that. So that the beetle FIT the American people. If I wanted American fashioned cars, I'd buy Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, etc. I want a German car, with German features! As much of a pain that my cup holders can be, I prefer them over bulky holders that can hold up to a 64oz drink!

I know VW is just trying to stay in the market, and it's working. It's just sad because of course, we are losing what makes VW so great. I think VW is stearing clear of being too flashy, cause that's not what people in the US want. Look at the majority of car colors. I bet you'll see....white, grey/silver, black, red....more than ANY other color.

Glad I have my 02 diesel. I love surprising people with the soot screen, or when I'm filling up at the station. "It's a DIESEL?!?!" Yup...it IS a Diesel.....

[70autostick]

Mmmm,if it turns for the worse,i will buy one of those "final edition" beetles...no question asked

[Beetlescott]

They will be around for a long time. Prolly many years. Just think, In 10 years the new ones will be 10 years old, Like Ernie!!!

[Deserion]

It's about damn time. And way to go on making yet another dull, boring, nothing-special Special Edition.

TDI was phased out as the PD-TDI didn't meet new emissions regulations beginning MY2007.

[buckbeetle]

My 2 cents:

We love our Beetles, so of course we want them to stay just as they are. But, in these times cars that are not selling need to either change or go away. It is just business.

The retro thing only takes you so far. PT Cruisers are a good example. When they first came out, people were paying above sticker price for one, and trying to be the first to get one. Now look at them. They are kind of a joke. In fact whenever I got one as rental, I called it the clown car. The latest one is the Chevy Camaro. It too will not last.

The New Beetle had a great run. 12 years is a long time for a model that bascially hasn't changed much. OK, OK, I know the orignal beetles were around a lot longer, but that was a different time. In the world of Hybrids, Minis, Honda Fits, Mazda 3's, etc. the NB has a hard time competing. They are not really family vehicles.

Also, those of us that had a old style beetle as our daily driver are most likely 40+ now. The NB can only take a little piece of that market in a world with so many car options, prices, sizes, etc.

So, I will wait and see what VW has in store for us with the next new new beetle, or whatever replaces it. Until then, I will enjoy my little black vert and not worry about it.

[newbie]

I have to agree with MichelleRoze.. Americanizing is a huge mistake. Mk4 was VW's final year of awesome cars IMHO. They were unique and clearly a VW. The new ones look like any Asian/American car out there. New GTI looks like a Honda and that's a shame because the 20th was one of the nicest they've made.

[doublebarrel]

they lost me when they quit putting the diesel motor in.I guess I'll just have to drive the one I have till the wheels fall off

[bugsy98nb]

2010 New Beetle Final Editions: 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show



When asked by Inside Line if this means the New Beetle is going away, Volkswagen of America spokesman Steve Keyes replied in an e-mailed message: "No, these cars represent the end of the first-generation New Beetle."

[2ndHalfCor]

I love my '02 TS, but I wouldn't buy one of the newer models. They just don't interest me. I've been disappointed because my car is getting older, just passed 100,000 miles, and I would really like the option of buying a new one. I agree with the comments about the baby boomer target, but as a boomer myself, I'd really like to see the replacement model be a sporty coupe that could replace my TS. The Golf is nice, but seems a little juvenile for this over-50 driver. The other VWs seem like family cars and I want a coupe. I want something that is fun, fast, and unique, but doesn't make me look like I'm trying to ape the boy racers.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

No offense to anyone who is "older," but look at the average age of New Beetle owners...particularly the newer models and convertibles. 90% of them around here that I see are women aged 55-65. These "dull" and "pretty" colors are aimed directly at them. Loud and bright colors, not so much.

When the New Beetle first came out it was more geared towards younger people, hence the bright colors. Now, as the popularity in that age group has faded...VW has been marketing more to older women. Empty-nesters in the midst of their "midlife crisis" who want to feel young and hip again but no longer have to haul kids around everywhere. There is nothing wrong with that, its just facts. VW recognized this and catered to their target buyer.

This is also evidenced by the way they are equipped now compared to when they first came out. No more TDI. No more 1.8T. No more "sport" geared models. It never got the 2.0T, only the 04-06 TDI's got the DSG. Yeah you can get a manual transmission now, but I bet less than 5% of sales are equipped with a manual. For a few years now, if you wanted to buy a 'new' New Beetle, you were stuck with the 2.5 and the 6 speed slushtronic. Most cars on dealer lots are also fully decked out with leather and everything. Again, geared towards the older (and generally female) buyer.

I hope that the next-gen Beetle will get back to its roots, but I fear that VW will continue to gear it towards the baby boomer set as they have been doing recently.

So true on all points- no offense to the young at heart.

[Fl_bug]

Well, on a brighter note,

If the CC, Scirocco, R8, R8 Etron, and A5 are any indication of where Vw is with styling, the next beetle could really be a looker! In my mind, Vw kept the mk6 golf kinda boring looking because they wanted the NB to be the exciting looking one!

I'm sure at least everyone on the org has drove past a CC, A5, or R8 and thought, Geez, Vw styling has really been on the ball! For now, lets just imagine what the next NB will look like!

[huck731]

well, i read a "media release" of the final edition in another post on here where sapossedly a VWoA spokesperson commented on it. If this where true, why is there nothing on vw.com or the VWoA website on the final edition or any plans on "killing" the nb, i think it's just vw updating the platform the nb is on and they have no plans on getting rid of the nb anytime soon. just my 2 cents

[bftghostworks]

Well what ever they do, better be a huge leap forward. My 2001 is well sorted and it still puts it to the current model, I do not have a huge expense in parts either. I have seen a lot of the “concept” pics and all I have to say is BARF! I liked the Ragster but even that had issues for me. As far as styling goes VW has always been behind. That is why it is such a great platform to mod. Almost anything you do is a huge improvement and really stands out.

[huck731]

Originally Posted by bftghostworks

My 2001 is well sorted and it still puts it to the current model, I do not have a huge expense in parts either.

agreed, just last month i had a newer passat. probably around 07 08 try and race me on the interstate, and despite needing an oil change. i still beat him.

Originally Posted by bftghostworks

As far as styling goes VW has always been behind. That is why it is such a great platform to mod. Almost anything you do is a huge improvement and really stands out.

very true. modding the bug is fun

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by huck731

If this where true, why is there nothing on vw.com or the VWoA website on the final edition or any plans on "killing" the nb,

VW Newsroom - Latest Volkswagen News

The Golf isn't the one that is radical - why? It's the car VW needs to sell the most. That will keep the evolutionary styling. I think the Mk6 looks great.

[beej]

Crosses fingers for another diesel or a diesel electric hybrid..but loving my two boys and will drive them until one of us goes...

[katwalk]

Beetles are 2 platforms behind the golf on which it is based making it pretty outdated. The reason the old ones lasted so long is they were cheap basic cars, the new beetle isn't.
VW frankly, just didn't care about our cars and never did proper updates to them. What hopefully they are doing are making a beetle like thing that they actually put effort into.

[bugsy98nb]

actually if you think about it the Golf/ rabbit was the replacement for the aircooled beetle, they have been around since 1974 .

[ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

No offense to anyone who is "older," but look at the average age of New Beetle owners...particularly the newer models and convertibles. 90% of them around here that I see are women aged 55-65. These "dull" and "pretty" colors are aimed directly at them. Loud and bright colors, not so much.

... Most cars on dealer lots are also fully decked out with leather and everything. Again, geared towards the older (and generally female) buyer.

Thank goodness I'm not one of those older women! I was only 47 when I got my 2005 NBC GLS in a 'dull' Aquarious Blue, tricked out with eyelids and daisy covers! I was 22 when I got my '75 Beetle Convertible. Now that I'm all grown up I've started plotting to get an EOS - Lux edition of course! I love my NBC, but with all the decontenting lately, I won't mind seeing it pass on.

[callisto9]

Another vote for "meh" and expensive, too! Sheesh. I can't even afford a new New Beetle. What a blah way to end the New Beetle.

I am excited to see what's next though.