Background: When German automaker Volkswagen brought out the 1998-model-year New Beetle, the baseball cap-shaped coupe was the talk of the industry. The arrival also signified an automaker could indeed drive consumer interest and sales with a large volume retro/heritage type of vehicle. Since then Chrysler successfully launched the PT Cruiser with all the exterior trimmings of a 1920s gangster car. Ford also announced earlier this year that a limited number of GTOs will be reintroduced.
Suddenly, the industry is digging back into its past for future styling. The original rear-wheel-drive Beetle, designed by Ferdinand Porsche who later started his own notable car company, rolled off the assembly line in the late 1930s. Wide-spread production took off in the late 1940s and early 1950s following the rebuilding of Germany after World War II. It was an inexpensive, fuel-stingy car built for the masses. The engine was in the rear, cargo space was under the front hood and the engine was air cooled.
The Beetle, nicknamed the “Bug,” first arrived in the United States in 1949 and sales continued here until 1979 when Volkswagen stopped shipping exports to the U.S. While the New Beetle may resemble its vintage predecessor, the similarities end there. The New Beetle is built off the highly successful front-wheel-drive Golf/Jetta platform. The Golf/Jetta compact design is one of the best-selling cars in the world. The big news for 2002 is the arrival of a new trim level, a turbo-charged version of the 1.8T called the New Beetle Turbo S.
Engine/Trim Level: The New Beetle hatchback is available in a wide range of choices: four trim levels (GL, GLS, GLX and Turbo) with four in-line, four-cylinder engine selections, including a diesel model. The entry-level GL comes solely with at 2.0-liter, 115 horsepower engine. The mid-level GLS offers three engine selections.
Besides the 2.0-liter base powertrain, a 1.9-liter, 90 horsepower diesel engine is available or a 1.8-liter gasoline engine delivering 150 horses is on tap. The newest entry which debuted in the 2002 model year is the 1.8-liter, gasoline turbo engine delivering 180 horses. Six-speed manual transmission is the only transmission available in the Turbo S. Five-speed manual is standard in the other levels while four-speed automatic is optional.
Price: The folks at Volkswagen dropped off a Turbo S to the Daily Herald for a week-long test drive. The well-equipped vehicle includes a starting price of $23,400. With a $550 destination charge figured in, the bottom line totaled $23,950. The lowest-priced New Beetle, an entry-level GL, starts at $16,450. By comparison the lowest priced compact Volkswagen Golf coupe with manual transmission starts at $15,050.
Standard/optional equipment: Notable standard equipment includes air conditioning, rear window defroster, power door locks, power windows, power assisted rack- and-pinion steering, intermittent front windshield wipers and power outside mirrors. Cruise control comes standard everywhere except the entry-level GL. AM/FM/cassette stereo system comes standard while the compact disc system featuring a truck-mounted 6-disc changer is optional. Sunroofs are standard in the GLX and Turbo models and optional in GLS.
Inside: The dome design creates huge headroom volume in front that quickly dissipates for back-seat riders. This two-door coupe handles four occupants with two bucket seats in front and back. Kudos for Volkswagen for not attempting to market this as a five-passenger vehicle as so many other compacts try to pull off. While headroom is a bit snug in back, maneuvering there is made easier by front bucket seats that lurch forward when back rests move downward.
Also, Volkswagen conveniently locates the slide knob releasing the backrest high up the side of the seats, instead of down low, eliminating the need for aerobic exercising when heading in the back. Also, the rear seat back folds down, opening up transporting options into the rather snug 12 cubic-foot hatchback area with a fold-up panel cloaking items stored there. The spacious dashboard top is one of the airiest around. The retro-inspired instrument panel consists simply of a large, all-inclusive circular speedometer analog gauge with smaller fuel and temperature inserts inside. Also in the center is digital odometer readout. At night, the display gets illuminated with red and blue lighting against a black backdrop. A digital clock and outside temperature readouts are found near the rear-view mirror. A large grab handle above the glove box is a interesting touch that works in concert with the ceiling handles above both doors.
Three easy-to-grab dials monitor ventilation controls below the stereo system in the middle of the dashboard. Rather short arm rests support elbows, while the power window and door lock controls are flush against the doors. Cloth seating comes standard in GL and GLS. Leather-trimmed seating surfaces are staples in GLX and our Turbo S test vehicle and is optional in the other two trims.
Outside: There is no mistaking this vehicle for any other make or model in the mall parking lot. The front lid curves downward over the front wheels to the body-colored bumpers eliminating the need for a front grille. The two large side doors incorporate strap-like body-color handles. The trunk lid must be opened either by depressing a driver’s door mounted release button or via the key fob.
No key cylinder is found anywhere on the curvaceous truck lid that extends down from the square back window. Large semi-circle plastic fenders surround all four wheels. Circular headlights have all the feel of a set of eyes piercing forward. Tail lights are round, too. On the roof, as with most VWs, is the black, whip radio antenna tilting backwards. The square, locking fuel door is on the right rear fender. Sixteen-inch tires adorn the Turbo S while 16-inch tires come standard in all other trims.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 98.7 inches Overall Length: 161.1 inches Overall Width: 67.9 inches Overall Height: 59.0 inches Ground Clearance: 3.9 inches
Warranty: The 2002-model year bumper-to-bumper warranty increases to four-years or 50,000 miles (which ever comes first) up from two years or 24,000 miles. The limited powertrain warranty is now five years or 60,000 miles. The roadside assistance program is now four years or 50,000 miles, up from a two-year term. Corrosion/perforation coverage remains 12 years with no mileage limits for all fully-galvanized Volkswagen vehicles.
Safety features: For a compact model, the New Beetle comes very well equipped with safety nuances. Driver and front passenger airbags are standard as are side air bags, anti-theft alarm, remote keyless entry, daytime running lights, three-point safety belts and anti-lock brakes. Traction control is standard in GLX and Turbo models plus GLS editions with the 1.8-liter engine.
Final thoughts: The New Beetle provides a spacious feeling for front seat travelers. While the distinctive compact may be more expensive than a Ford Focus or Chevrolet Cavalier, it does come with many safety features standard. It’s also a design that never goes out of style, good for resale values. |