New "Beetle" spotted.

[BeetleMyHeart]

We were in Lakeland, FL for the Sun-N-Fun airshow one week ago today and saw a 2012 beetle. It was coming up behind us from a distance and I thought it looked like a NB. When it got closer I confirmed that it was a Beetle but looked a little different. Especially when it pulled up beside us to turn I could tell it was the new 2012. The side profile was a dead giveaway. The car was Silver in color with no camo at all and untinted windows with a middle-aged man driving. The only thing not stock was the fact that the wheels were missing the VW emblems. I didn't look to see if the emblems were missing off the hood and trunk of the car but we were both wowed by seeing it in person on the road. It didn't have anyting covering it at all like most test cars do.

We saw 2011 Kia SUV's being tested in late the middle of 2009 in the Georgia mountains and they were completely covered in camo, I was able to tell what they were because I'm a car dork.

The car looks great on the road and it definetly has the shape of the aircooled beetles. Has anyone else seen one? I wander how many are on the road.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Sorry, I have serious doubts...

This would not have gotten past the Bugarazzi.

Most recent debut news:

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2012-...tle-Debut.html

2012 VW Beetle To Debut Before 2011 New York, Shanghai Auto Shows

And FYI, I have yet to see anything, unless it was disguised as a completely different car (or is a completely different car), come through the Port of Houston. the inbound Port of VW for much of the USA. And there are currently thousands of cars parked there in total white dress with window cutouts. Nothing even resembling the Beetle shape. I would be surprised if any, with the exception of MAYBE, the NY show debut car, are even in the country. My guess is 30 days after the show before any US Dealer even sees one.

M.

[2004NBTURBOS]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Sorry, I have serious doubts... And FYI, I have yet to see anything, unless it was disguised as a completely different car (or is a completely different car), come through the Port of Houston.

You really need to ease up on your self induced know it all about everything attitude. If the OP stated he or she saw a 2012 Beetle, with their own said eyes, why can't that be enough for you. We get it that your a know it all. That has been quite apparent since you joined. But please stop trying to be the all knowing Beetle guru. If this person saw a 2012, well that's good enough for me.... A good friend was a Porshe salesman, his boss had the Cayenne months before it was introduced. It is my understanding that this is a common practice to get feedback about the cars and to stir interest....sorry if I seem cranky this morning, guess I need a spot of tea. By the way the port of Wilmington has been bringing VW's in for years. Seeing as I don"t live up there now, I am not sure if this is still a practice.

[2nd_BugMan]

Too bad you couldn't get a photo. We had 1998 New Beetles photos in the local news paper winter testing in nothern Minnesota before the were at the shows. Badges covered in duct tape, Drum rear brakes, but no camo. I still have the news paper artical saved. I personally saw several years ago, a new body style Ford ranger on the road in no camo. That was before they showed up in any auto show. I was driving a 85 ranger at that time. Rangers are made in St.Paul MN

[marvins_dad]

About a month ago or so Randy from TVA reported that he got to get a look at the new version of the Beetle - so they are out there, just not being shown to the general public yet. They could have been going to a photoshoot (like when the convertible hadn't been unveiled and had their Miami shoot) or could have just been going between dealerships or something.

[Froggy]

Ok I'm confused. If the beetle is supposed to be coming out in shows in just EIGHT DAYS, why have I not gotten an email?? I signed up to receive news directly from Volkswagen the instant I saw the Superbowl commercial and visited the website.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Froggy

Ok I'm confused. If the beetle is supposed to be coming out in shows in just EIGHT DAYS, why have I not gotten an email?? I signed up to receive news directly from Volkswagen the instant I saw the Superbowl commercial and visited the website.

Welcome to the ball of confusion known as VWoA-

All kidding aside, I wish I could tell ya- I signed up too. Guess all suspicion and curiosity will be cleared up on the 18th.

BTW, i'm trying to plan a beetle caravan to the local VW dealer when the nB2 arrives to our local showroom- should be fun

[juliey22]

On April 18th we can all check it out on MTV!!

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by juliey22

On April 18th we can all check it out on MTV!!

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

[Steve_pnchbug]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

No! After all the stir and everything this beetle has brought it makes me gity. Lol. I know I'm gonna love it either way because remember not so long ago we didn't even know if the beetle would be carried on or just end all production at 2010. Scary thought, eh? But I honestly can't wait, regardless! The beetle mainia lives on!!! Muhaha!

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Steve_pnchbug

No! After all the stir and everything this beetle has brought it makes me gity. Lol. I know I'm gonna love it either way because remember not so long ago we didn't even know if the beetle would be carried on or just end all production at 2010. Scary thought, eh? But I honestly can't wait, regardless! The beetle mainia lives on!!! Muhaha!

Your comments FTW!

[BeetleMyHeart]

Jeez, if the car is that elusive I would have chased it down and snapped some pictures. I know my cars and this was the new beetle, 100% sure of it.

[Smileybug]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

No cable in my house But I'll just be tuned in to the 'net. I'm sure there will be tons of pics and video

[JonK]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

Al,

No, I am a Beetle nut also!!!!!!!!!!

JonK

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Sorry, I have serious doubts...

This would not have gotten past the Bugarazzi.

Most recent debut news:

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2012-...tle-Debut.html

2012 VW Beetle To Debut Before 2011 New York, Shanghai Auto Shows

And FYI, I have yet to see anything, unless it was disguised as a completely different car (or is a completely different car), come through the Port of Houston. the inbound Port of VW for much of the USA. And there are currently thousands of cars parked there in total white dress with window cutouts. Nothing even resembling the Beetle shape. I would be surprised if any, with the exception of MAYBE, the NY show debut car, are even in the country. My guess is 30 days after the show before any US Dealer even sees one.

M.

I'm pretty sure the port my 98 came into was Florida, according to the birth certificate from VW. I'll have to check when I get home about that.

[Pushing Fifty]

With my work schedule, chances are good that I'll miss the actual debut unless I can get my wife or daughter to record it. I haven't tuned into MTV for over 20 years, either......Then again, there will certainly be photos placed all over the Internet right afterwards.

One thing that is likely, though: The first of the reskinned Beetles will probably go to major dealerships in large metropolitan areas, while my dealership in my modest-sized city of 65,000 will have maybe 2 in stock, and those will probably be be the highest-optioned models. What I hope doesn't happen is what occured when the first New Beetles arrived in 1998 (at least in the small towns):

Waiting lists up to a year, and dealers jacking the prices up $4000 above sticker! The same happened here (Eau Claire, WI) when the PT Cruiser and Ford Thunderbirds were first released.

[marvins_dad]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

I missed it, where can I find the info on the unveil on MTV? I saw they were auctioning one on Comedy Central last night during the comedy awards.

Nevermind...
http://worldstage.mtv.tv/new-york
8pm est.

[Stlbug]

Gee, I thought VW just hauled the new cars across the border from Mexico. Huh? where are they being shipped from? Maybe my nb came up the Mississippi on a barge.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

True that J22!

So am I the only nut who'll have the family glued to the TV, for the big reveal? Oh and with the DVD recorder running too?

Count me in...I'd like to record it, too, but when will it actually be on TV to record?

The World Stage article says:

The World Stage show from New York City will be streamed live (excluding the UK) and highlights from the show will be broadcast later on MTV channels around the world.

The current MTV schedule shows a repeat of Real World on 4/18 at 8PM Eastern time. I suppose that could change, though.

[Raab_Himself]

5 days!