Why Not 4 Doors?

[13Beetlejuice13]

After climbing in and out of the back seat with children in hand to put them in their car seats time and time again, i've come up with an idea.

Why not a 4 door beetle, with suicide doors for the back doors. God that would make life so much easier. Come on Vee-dub, get on that would ya?

What do you guys think?

[wawalker]

Beetles are 2 door sedans--what you want would not be a Beetle.

Oh, and for the history buffs--yes I realize a 4 door was built in the early days by VW, but it never went to production!

[SilverSportNOLA]

I'd prefer a 2 seater ... that would solve the problem too ... revive the 2.7TT and put it back there and lets go back to rear wheel drive .... a factory drifter. Let that 4 door design stay with the trucks ... they don't need the rigidity since they are not unibody.

[gilligan]

I think it would be cool, If done properly you would barely even see the fact that they were there, and would make getting in or out alot easier.

[Beetlemania]

Eh, I guess I'm pretty old-school. Though I've seen a picture of an old 4-door Bug it seemed more of a concept thing than a version of the car. When VW went to 4 doors on the frame they turned it into the Thing. Though it may be a negative attitude for a Beetle forum, I think a need for 4 doors would be a need for another car. But don't get rid of the Bug!

As I've said for years, if you want a 4-door Bug, get a PT Cruiser.

Though the mention of suicide doors would make it a bit better, I still think it would undo the style. But it would be really interesting as a custom job! Now that I'd like to see!

Do I seem to flip-flop alot on the discussion?

[hestersu]

Beetle + 4 doors = Rabbit/Golf/Jetta

I understand what you are saying though. It will get better when your little one(s) can get in the back on their own.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by hestersu

Beetle + 4 doors = Rabbit/Golf/Jetta

I understand what you are saying though. It will get better when your little one(s) can get in the back on their own.

I think y'all are missing her idea.

It's a TWO DOOR. But the rear panels then open like suicide doors. The mini-doors would be virtually invisible.

I had a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup with that setup, and the rear doors are impossible to see as doors.

There are a number of cars that have them, Saturn Ions, and several very sporty 'two door' cars. They are technically 4 doors but they AREN't....

I'd opt for the mini four door. It'd still look EXACTLY like your current Beetle. But once you open the drives door, a small handle is on the front of the pillar that then pops open the "rear door".

[kcfoxie]

I know what your saying, like ths Saturn SL series that has the third door on the driver side. You open the driver door, then open the mini-door to let the kids, dogs get in or to put in/pull out groceries. I think if they did it on the driver's side it would be a great idea.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I still think the rigidity of the frame would be compromised ... the saturn has a lot lower roofline to engineer this into, I guess it could be possibly using a vert frame. The MkIV is one of the loosest water cooled VW frames of all ... my MkII was much more rigid, lighter and tighter.

I just think that you have to get better at dragging the kids out through the hatch ....

[Mr.Yellow]

I just say make it a two seater. i usualy have mine set up for only 2 seats any ways unless i am driving friends around

[hestersu]

I think I understood exactly what the OP was going for. I understand the concept of the suicide style doors - heck we had a Lincoln with suicide doors. It would be handy to have them on the beetle much like the Saturn, Ranger, even the full size Ford pickup has these (or did). The difference is the body construction. I have to agree with Silver on this one. The body just doesn't lend itself to the idea.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by hestersu

I think I understood exactly what the OP was going for. I understand the concept of the suicide style doors - heck we had a Lincoln with suicide doors. It would be handy to have them on the beetle much like the Saturn, Ranger, even the full size Ford pickup has these (or did). The difference is the body construction. I have to agree with Silver on this one. The body just doesn't lend itself to the idea.

It *should* just be a simple matter of a slight re-design in frame in that area. Instead of coming along the side, it would go AROUND the suicide door. That is, along the roof and below the door.

They have the technology.. the can build it faster.... stronger....

[deeceedub]

My daughter has an Ion Sport Coupe that has the quad doors... we love 'em. If there was a way to 'hide' them on the NB where it wouldn't change the shape of the car, I'd be in.

[dunno513]

Four door beetle eh.... I think they call that the Jetta. You know that lacking style, blend into the crowd car...

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

I think y'all are missing her idea.

It's a TWO DOOR. But the rear panels then open like suicide doors. The mini-doors would be virtually invisible.

I had a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup with that setup, and the rear doors are impossible to see as doors.

There are a number of cars that have them, Saturn Ions, and several very sporty 'two door' cars. They are technically 4 doors but they AREN't....

I'd opt for the mini four door. It'd still look EXACTLY like your current Beetle. But once you open the drives door, a small handle is on the front of the pillar that then pops open the "rear door".

You would see the rear line of the rear door and the top line somewhat. Most pickup doors terminate at the cab corner so it isn't noticeable anyway, but these lines are very noticeable on the Saturns and Mazda RX-8, etc. I think it would detract from the round shape by introducing that many more straight lines. Beetles (new and old) just aren't that practical of a car for more than 2--which is why my wife and I also have a Jetta.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I agree with wawalker ... and I think the rear side windows would have to be cut in half nearly for the structural pillars, while this can be made to look great from the outside with black glass .... the additional blind spots would make the safety conscience parents like yourself question if the ease of putting your little bundle of joy in the seat is worth the dangers.

[SMG]

Yeah, there's no need for a 4-door NB.

If you need 4 doors, you made the wrong choice in buying a vehicle.

SMG

[crazi_daisy]

if they made a 4 door beetle i'd buy it. im sure many others in the world would too. why want a jetta when you can get a beetle? maybe everyone wants a beetle but they're too small for child seats and things? if they were 4 doors, they just haveto make a bigger arch to cover the back 2 doors. i'd love it. i think we need it.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by crazi_daisy

if they were 4 doors, they just haveto make a bigger arch to cover the back 2 doors. i'd love it. i think we need it.

Nah, we really don't.

SMG

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by crazi_daisy

if they made a 4 door beetle i'd buy it. im sure many others in the world would too. why want a jetta when you can get a beetle? maybe everyone wants a beetle but they're too small for child seats and things? if they were 4 doors, they just haveto make a bigger arch to cover the back 2 doors. i'd love it. i think we need it.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm sure there's lots of people out there with 2-4 kids who'd LOVE to have a 350Z. Unfortunately, some cars just aren't practical for certain needs. That's why we have a variety of makes and models out there.

The NB was never intended to be a family car. It's a fun, somewhat practical car that can comfortably fit two, and for short trips, maybe one or two more.

Why turn it into something it was never designed to be?