Background: The Beetle invasion continues.
Volkswagen first introduced rear-wheel-drive Beetles to U.S. roadways in 1949. Sales continued until 1979 when the German-based automaker stopped exporting the unique coupe to the United States. During its first tenure, the Beetle represented the quintessential small, fuel efficient, inexpensive, low-maintenance commuter car. Nicknamed the Bug, the baseball-cap-like shape was and still is unmistakable to kids of all ages.
The engine was found in back of the passenger compartment, trunk space up front where engines normally are placed and all featured "2-60 air conditioning" (two windows rolled down while traveling at 60 miles per hour cooled the interior...sort of). In winter, air- cooled engines kept occupants warm, as long as the vehicle was in motion. When the Beetle stopped, so to did its capacity to generate heat to the passenger compartment.
Volkswagen, the world's fourth-largest automaker, didn't miss a beat when reintroducing the cute, unmistakable, Beetle two-door coupe in 1998. In fact, the Beetle relaunch could serve as a blue print for "how to successfully re-market a four-wheeled treasure."
When Volkswagen decided to bring Beetles back to the U.S. market, it was big news. Trade publications, newspapers and television coverage welcomed Beetles back with open arms. Clever promotional events and a starting price under $16,000 assured demand would outstrip supply during the first full year of production, creating an even bigger buzz. During my first Beetle test drive in the fall of 1998, I became a Volkswagen spokesman wherever I traveled. People wanted touch, sit inside and share memories.
Although new Beetles significantly resemble their older siblings, the similarities end there. The new, four-seat Beetle is a front-wheel-drive, front engined car built off the Volkswagen Golf automotive platform. The subcompact Golf ranks as one of Europe's best-selling cars. Such luxuries including air conditioning, power windows and automatic transmission are available this time around. It's larger in scale and more powerful, too.
Volkswagen is scheduled to reintroduce Beetle convertibles next year. Beetles are assembled in Puebla, Mexico.
Safety features: During tests implemented by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Beetle squashed the competition during slow-speed crash tests by sustaining the least amount of damage during evaluation.
Standard safety features include: dual front air bags, remote locking doors, anti-theft system, collapsible steering column, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and front-and-rear crumple zones. Also standard are front-seat-mounted side air bags, a not- so-common amenity in small cars. For a subcompact offering, New Beetles offer an extensive array of safety nuances.
Engine/trim levels: The New Beetle is available in three trim levels and three engine selections. Trim levels include: entry- level GL, mid-level GLS and top-of-the-line GLX. Entry-level GLs include a 2.0-liter, 115-horsepower, in-line four-cylinder engine. The mid-level GLS has three engine selections; in addition to the 2.0-liter engine, a 1.9-liter diesel engine delivers 90 horsepower and 49 miles to the gallon on the highway.
New for the 2000 model year is a GLS 1.8-T four-cylinder generating an impressive 150 horsepower. The top-of-the-line GLX also features the 1.8T four-cylinder powertrain requiring premium unleaded fuel.
Standard equipment: All trim levels include: five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, rear window defoggers, intermittent front windshield wipers, power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, six-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo, illuminated front visor mirrors, power door locks, tinted windows and four-wheel disc brakes. Cruise control and power windows, not available in entry-level GLs, come standard in remaining trim levels. Entry-level GLs includes manually-operated windows.
Options: Four-speed automatic transmission and trunk-mounted compact disc changer/player are options across the board. Power sunroofs, anti-theft wheel locks, heated front seats, leather- wrapped steering wheel and heated windshield washer nozzles, standard in top-of-the-line GLX are optional in GLS and not offered in GL.
Price: Volkswagen supplied the Daily Herald with a lime green, five-speed manual GLS with the 2.0-liter gas engine. Base price checked in at $16,850. After factoring in a $310 alloy wheel option, $150 cold-weather package and $525 destination charge, the bottom line totaled $17,835.
The lowest-priced Beetle, a GL five-speed, starts at $15,900. A top-of-the-line GLX is $21,075.
Interior: Like the rest of the package, the instrument panel and front dashboard have a retro feel; it's simplistic in nature but functional. The circular instrument cluster incorporates a large speedometer (with a top speed of 140 miles per hour) along the outside of the curvature with very small analog fuel and tachometer gauges and digital odometers within. Also, the dashboard's long, expansive top side stretches deep down into to the front window's base, creating a spacious-looking interior.
Cruise control operates from the turn signal stalk while windshield wipers monitor from a right-hand side steering column appendage. Headlights monitor from a dial left of the steering column but with daytime running lights, this dial is rarely touched. For those refusing to let the "hippie years" pass, a tiny plastic vase left of the steering column is ready to hold small flowers, a clever reminder of the Beetle's "flower power" heritage.
The driver's door is home to trunk and fuel door release buttons. Power window buttons are door-located as well. Directly ahead of our five-speed manual transmission sat a clover-shaped beverage holder capable of handling three cans.
A ceiling caddie near the rear view mirror holds sunglasses and other trinkets. Digital time and outside temperature readouts are positioned high up in the same region.
Three rotary dials monitoring fan speed, temperature and direction, situate below the rectangular stereo system (with very small preset buttons) equidistant between front seat travelers smack dab on the central dashboard. Quarters between the sound system and the windshield wiper stalk are tight. Several times when activating the wipers, the sound system got inadvertently shut off.
Seating comfort: The Beetle's round roof provides more-than- ample headroom in front, but restricts headroom in back.
Handles high up along both sides of the front-bucket seats easily slide down, allowing backrests and bottom cushions to move forward when maneuvering into the back. Many competing coupes locate this lever near the bottom of the seat, necessitating more bending and pulling when contorting into the back. Rear travel is best left to the preteen set although in a pinch, two adults could sit in back for short durations.
Cloth seating comes standard in all editions except GLX which features uplevel leather surfaces. Leatherette seat trim is optional in GLS, GLS turbo and GLS 1.8T models.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 98.9 inches
Overall length: 161.1 inches
Overall width: 67.9 inches
Overall height: 59.5 inches
Curb weight: 2,785 pounds
Exterior: A grilleless front end includes a hood swooping down to the bumper, flanked by two circular headlights. Staring at the front, the car looks like it's smiling. The rectangular rear window flows into the contoured trunk lid. A square, locking fuel tank door is found on the right rear fender (new this year is a tethered fuel-cap) while a roof-mounted, black whip radio antenna sits on the roof top.
Sixteen-inch, all-season radial tires, very large for a subcompact-sized auto, come standard. Strap-like door handles and fold-in side-view mirrors are both body color. Exterior color choices include black, bright blue, dark blue, green, red, silver, white and yellow. A spoiler, located to the top of the back window, is standard in GLX and GLS 1.8T edition only.
Trunk: The new Beetle is actually a hatchback with access to the back seat region once the trunk lifts up. With seats folded up, the area accommodates 12.0 cubic feet of space; not huge but enough space for a small golf bag or assorted luggage.
Fuel economy: Our 2.0-liter gas engine provided good, but not spectacular mileage when compared to some other subcompact fuel misers including the Chevrolet Metro or Toyota Echo.
Our GLS mated with five-speed manual transmission included fuel estimates of 24 miles per gallon in city travel and 31 m.p.g. when traversing highways. The fuel tanks holds 14.5 gallons of regular unleaded fuel. For better estimates, opt for the diesel powertrain.
Final thoughts: New Beetles have a flair of nostalgia, and represent a good solid value. Old, young, male, female, modest income, the well-to-do all qualify as target buyers. A price range between $16,000 and $21,000 puts the vehicle within reach of first- time buyers or families looking for an inexpensive second or third vehicle. It's a car people of all ages can feel "cool" cruising in.
Beetle's also feature Volkswagen's impressive warranty coverage featuring 12-year unlimited distance protection against corrosion perforation, 10 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, two-year 24- hour roadside assistance coverage and two-year/24,000 mile scheduled manufacturer's maintenance.
New Beetles should retain decent resale value down the line as well; the design never goes out of style. |