Increased Luggage Capacity Through Larger Body

The first generation Beetle, born in 1938, saw over 21.5 million units produced in just over 50 years. In 1998, it was reborn as the New Beetle, production of which ended in 2010. The third-generation Beetle, debuting now, is touted to usher in a new era of car design while boasting performance comparable to the Golf GTI.

The Beetle, designed under the supervision of Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff, is based on the Ragster concept revealed at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show. As Volkswagen states, it brings the design closer to the original "Type I" Beetle's appearance. Unlike the New Beetle, with its distinctive three semicircles (front wings, rear wings, roof), the new model features a more emotional and dynamic design. The very name, "The Beetle," seems to assert its rich history of over 70 years.

Beyond the pursuit of originality, improvements in practicality have also been considered. The body dimensions are 4,278mm (plus 152mm) in length, 1,808mm (plus 84mm) in width, and 1,486mm (minus 12mm) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,537mm.

The body, designed to extend rearward, contributes to securing luggage space, a common challenge for compact cars. While the previous New Beetle had a luggage capacity of 209 liters, The Beetle significantly expands this to 310 liters.

The interior is ergonomically designed, with three trim patterns to choose from: the standard "Beetle," finished in black; "Design," colored to match the 12 body colors; and "Sport," with a carbon fiber look. Optional equipment includes keyless access, a satellite navigation system, a panoramic sunroof, and bi-xenon headlights.

Four Engine Options Available, Centered Around a 200ps 2.0-Liter

For the engine lineup in Asia, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand, there will be a 1.2-liter TSI engine with 102ps, a 1.4-liter TSI with 160ps, and a 2.0-liter TSI with 200ps, alongside a 1.6-liter TDI diesel engine producing 105ps (TDI will not be sold in Asia). Thanks to BlueMotion Technologies, including start-stop and energy regeneration systems, the smallest 1.2-liter TSI model achieves fuel economy of 5.5 L/100km and CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The top-of-the-line 2.0-liter engine model is paired with an electronic differential lock "XDS." This feature, also found in the Golf GTI, controls braking during cornering to suppress inner wheel spin, ensuring traction and reducing understeer for sportier, more precise handling.

The Beetle will begin accepting orders in the summer of 2011, starting in the UK, with global showrooms expected to feature the model from early 2012. It is slated for a 2012 launch in Asian markets, with an anticipated price tag around 2.5 million yen.