Classic designs remain persistently relevant through the decades. Few vehicles execute this better than the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. In a business climate too often obsessed with the next youthful fad or App, the Beetle dares to be complacent with a geometric design spanning six decades here in the U.S. while appealing to multi generations of grandparents, parents and grandkids.
Although a rear-engine version imported from Germany in the 1950s has given way to an upfront motor location with front-wheel drive, the overall arching architecture remains largely unchanged and recognized worldwide. Comparisons include similarities to upside down bathtubs or an upright baseball cap. Whimsical "There's No Place like Dome" references may also be overheard.
Three-door hatchbacks, like the Beetle, are rarified air as four-door sedans or five-door hatchbacks tend to dot the compact and subcompact landscapes.
Europe's largest automaker whipped up a nostalgic frenzy reintroducing the front-wheel-drive "New Beetle" to the U.S. market in the late 1990s after a 20 year absence. A next-generation platform arriving in the 2012 model year featuring a longer hood, wider stance and lower roof profile.
Another welcome return was a power-operated soft-top convertible version arriving in the 2013 model year. For those wishing to experience the great outdoors with a non-mobile roof, hardtops offer a panoramic moon roof.
The "Bug" changes little from 2014 models save tweaks to an available diesel engine now cranking out a bit more horsepower and the introduction of the limited-run 'Beetle Classic.'
Volkswagen's Beetle and Mini's Cooper include base pricing north of $20,000 in a subcompact category where price sensitivity often comes into play. To that effect, the value-added 'Beetle Classic' with three exterior colors, in-dash navigation and six-speed automatic includes a $21,195 starting price. A convertible version of the Beetle Classic is also available for $25,995.
Volkswagen hardtops offers three turbocharged, four-cylinder engines for the U.S. market, including a higher-mileage diesel variant. Turbocharging pressurizes air prior to the engine's intake stroke through a turbine compressor driven by recycled exhaust gasses. This volatile air increases horsepower when mixed with injected gas.
A 1.8-liter 16-valve, direct injection turbo supplies 170 horsepower utilizing regular, 87-octane fuel. Move up to the 2.0-liter 16 valve R-Line turbo and horsepower jumps to 210 with recommended premium unleaded, representing the most potent Beetle. The updated 2.0 turbo diesel TDI generates 150 horses (10 better than 2014) and Beetle-best fuel economy readings: 31 miles per gallon city and 41 mpg highway with either five-speed manual or available dual-clutch automatic transmission. The fuel tank measures in at 15.2 gallons.
As manual transmissions become difficult to spot among vehicles of any size, Beetle bucks this trend as each of the three engines comes with the choice of five-speed-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Each of the three engines is available with a 'Sunroof-Sound-Navigation' package. A solo Sunroof is available in the 1.8 liter four cylinder while the 2.0-liter R-line four offers a 'Sunroof-Sound' package. Push-button start comes in all Sunroof-designated packages.
Our tester for the week, a tornado red 1.8-liter turbo teamed with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission and sunroof package had a $24,705 starting price and $25,525 ending point with $820 destination charge. A 1.8-liter with five-speed manual transmission starts at $20,695; add $1,100 for six-speed automatic.
Under the dome, spacious headroom awaits front-seat riders unlike the back row where those over six-feet may reach their upper limit. Wisely, VW markets Beetle as a four seater; too many subcompacts over sell their back row accommodations as triple seater. Second row back rests include a 50/50 split, folding semi flat onto seats when expanding the rear cargo area. A temporary spare tire resides under the flat cargo floor. Both front bucket seat backs tilt forward before manually sliding forward if accessing row two.
Two separate glove boxes are found dashboard shot-gun side: a shallow top-tier holder, hinged topside opens up while the lower version employs a larger, more traditional, wide-mouth bin-like fold down operation. For coins, smaller bin folds down from the lower dash left of the steering column.
The Tornado red exterior extends inside as accent hues running the width of the upper dash, steering wheel and extending to side doors and the back row. Circular air vents flank the ends of the red dash with vertical vents framing the multi-function center screen displaying backup camera feed. Static rear windows remain for show, with no up or down privileges.
Beetle's back to basics interior theme includes an old-school ventilation set up, where three, large easy to grab dials twist to and fro when summoning fan speed, temperature and blower direction. Air conditioning and rear defroster buttons reside above. Simple works best, although maximum fan velocity and coolness need a boost even with temperatures only in the lower 80s. The instrument panel includes a three-leaf clover layout with the large center circle home to the analog speedometer with a smaller, three-quarter circle fuel gauge to the right and tachometer left.
The manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel includes a flat bottom, a design found in the racing car circuit. Vinyl seating tilts towards soft rather than firm. A narrow armrest between front buckets folds up when extra elbow room is needed. When positioned down, the arm rest may impede with larger-sized water bottles housed in the rear-bound inline dual cup holder.
Unlike diminutive sedans and coupes with stout rear deck lids, Beetle completely eliminates the protruding trunk design by extending the dome curve starting at the front 'A' pillar and arching through the rear 'C' pillar down to lower rear bumper reaches. While most hoods suffice with conventional panel-flat surfaces, Beetle has a beak-like design curving down towards the lower front bumper, creating a grille-less look. Large circular headlight housing positioned on front fenders provides the genesis to the "Bug" nickname. Wide, large side doors are rather heavy when closing.
Volkswagen's prominent and recognizable stacked and circular logo serves double duty out back. A simple up pull from the bottom "W" unlatches the top-hinged hatch door when manually lifting up. Bold flared fenders accent the four round wheel wells. Circular rear tail lights prominent before the 2012 redesign get replaced with an elongated 'C-shaped' style with open ends facing the hatch door.
The base 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbocharger favors fuel efficiency over break-neck speed results. While longer wheelbases offer smoother glides, subcompacts with shortened distances between front and rear axles tend towards a 'festive' on-road ride and Beetle is no exception. A great, easy-to-park higher-mileage commuter car with oodles of standard content, but above-competition pricing may detour some potential buyers.
While Beetle's sold in the U.S. largely get sourced from a Puebla, Mexico assembly facility, Volkswagen opened its sole U.S. plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2011 when mid-size Passat sedans began rolling off. An all-new mid-size, seven-passenger crossover joins Passat in Chattanooga in 2016.
At a Glance
2015 Volkswagen BeetlePrice as tested: $25,525
Engine: 1.8-liter turbo four cylinder
Horsepower: 170
Fuel estimates: 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway
Length: 168.4 inches
Wheelbase: 100.0 inches
Height: 58.5 inches
Width: 71.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,012 pounds
Drivetrain warranty: Five-year 60,000 miles
Assembly: Puebla, Mexico