2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Overview

After a brief hiatus, the New Beetle returns for 2012 as just the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The new Beetle sports a more aggressive, masculine design more true to the original people's car than the New Beetle. With its Porsche 911-esque profile, the 2012 VW Beetle is longer, lower, and wider than the outgoing model while still remaining a compact coupe.

At its debut, the 2012 Beetle will have two models, two engine options and four engine options. The base engine in the Beetle 2.5 is a 2.5-liter I-5 producing 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic is available. The base engine in the Beetle Turbo is the same 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 found in the Volkswagen GTI. The turbocharged I-4 produces 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque in the Beetle Turbo. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Beetle Turbo, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic complete with paddle shifters is optional. A 2.0-liter turbodiesel is slated to join the lineup in late 2012.

The 2012 Beetle's interior gets redone for 2012 too. The 2012 Beetle loses its flower-power vase, and instead features a retro-inspired cockpit that includes a painted dashboard, an extra glove box (dubbed the "Beetle Bin"), and optional center console-mounted auxiliary instruments including an oil temperature gauge, clock, and boost gauge, on turbo models.

The Range

Body style: Coupe
Engines: 2.5L I-5, turbo 2.0L I-4
Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Models: Volkswagen Beetle 2.5; Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

What's New

Everything is new on the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The all-new Beetle features a more aggressive look that's designed to appeal to women and men. Aside from the new exterior and interior, the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle gets new fuel efficient engines and transmissions. Later this year a 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 producing around 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque will make its way into the Beetle. We suspect a Beetle Convertible won't be too far behind.

Exterior

The Volkswagen Beetle's exterior is all-new for 2012 becoming longer, lower, and wider. The new Beetle is 6.0 inches longer, 0.5 inches lower, and 3.3 inches wider than the old model, giving it improved ride and handling. In becoming lower, the 2012 Beetle loses the New Beetle's arched "cathedral roof" giving it a look similar to that of the original Beetle, and a profile reminiscent of the Porsche 911. Volkswagen differentiates the exterior of the Beetle 2.5 and Beetle Turbo by giving the Beetle 2.5 retro-inspired 17-inch "turbine" wheels, and the Beetle Turbo 18-inch "twister" wheels, and a rear spoiler.

Interior

The interior of the 2012 Beetle is just as retro-inspired as the exterior, while still featuring the modern amenities one expects in a premium compact. The new 2012 Beetle comes standard with iPod connectivity, and features optional extras like navigation, a Fender-branded premium stereo, and a sunroof. The Beetle is also notably for its "Beetle Bin," which is a second glove box above the conventional one, just like the original Beetle.

Performance & Handling

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle sports significantly improved performance over the outgoing model. The enthusiast's choice would have to be the Beetle Turbo, which is essentially a VW GTI in a costume. A Beetle Turbo equipped with the six-speed dual-clutch auto took 6.3 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill--just a tick slower than the GTI. The Beetle Turbo also managed a respectable 27 seconds at 0.65 g on the Motor Trend Figure Eight course. A six-speed automatic Beetle 2.5 took 8.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill. Both the Beetle 2.5 and the Beetle Turbo needed 125 feet to come to a dead stop from 60 mph.

Safety

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle comes standard from the factory with driver and front passenger airbags, and side curtain airbags in the front, and rear. The Beetle also features Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System. VW's Intelligent Crash Response System shuts off the Beetle's fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazards in the event the Beetle is involved in an accident. Both the Beetle 2.5 and Beetle Turbo also come standard with traction control and electronic stability control.

EPA Fuel Economy

Beetle 2.5: 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway (manual); 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway (automatic)
Beetle Turbo: 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway (manual); 22 mpg city/30 mpg (dual-clutch auto)

You'll Like

• Porsche 911 profile
• Beetle Turbo performance
• Retro interior touches

You Won't Like

• Being accused of driving a "girl's" car
• Dated 2.5-liter I-5