The New Beetle: Now More Versatile Than Ever | Volkswagen

Volkswagen The Beetle | Volkswagen The Beetle

The New Beetle: Now More Versatile Than Ever

Volkswagen Group Japan has announced the release of a minor model change for the The BeetleThe Beetle, its first update in four years. Prices start from ¥2,349,000.

Text & Photographs by UCHIDA Shunichi

Turbo Model Renamed 2.0 R-Line

The minor model change has been applied to Volkswagen's iconic model, "The Beetle," which debuted in 2012. The Beetle

The new lineup, as before, consists of three grades: the basic "The Beetle Base," which allows you to feel the Beetle's charm up close; the "The Beetle Design," available in eight color variations; and the "The Beetle 2.0 R-Line" (formerly Turbo), equipped with a high-performance engine.

A major feature of this minor model change is the rich array of color variations. Specifically, The Beetle Design and The Beetle 2.0 R-Line offer two new colors, Bottle Green Metallic and Stone Washed Blue Metallic, in addition to Pure White, Tornado Red, Blue Silk Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect, and the Sandstorm Yellow Metallic used in the limited Dune model, and the Habanero Orange Metallic used in the Club model, for a total of eight vibrant and diverse color options. The Beetle Base is available in four colors.

Volkswagen The Beetle | Volkswagen The Beetle

Inside, the dash pad, door trim, and steering trim are color-matched to the body color, creating a vibrant atmosphere. For seats other than the base model, there are two color options, black and beige, available in checkered fabric or optional leather. The combination of body color and interior can result in up to 32 different variations, significantly expanding the choices.

Exterior changes include a redesigned front and rear bumper. Compared to the previous clean appearance, the Beetle Base and Beetle Design now have a sportier and more refined look with the use of chrome.

The Beetle 2.0 R-Line features a new front bumper design with air intakes, black-painted wheel arch extensions, a large rear spoiler, and a black-painted diffuser. Additionally, the overall length of all models has slightly increased from 4,270mm to 4,285mm.

Volkswagen The Beetle | Volkswagen The Beetle

The New Beetle: Now More Versatile Than Ever (2)

Enhanced Safety and Infotainment Features

The powertrain remains the same as before, featuring a 1.2-liter TSI engine (inline 4-cylinder SOHC with intercooler turbo) paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission.

The higher-performance The Beetle 2.0 R-Line is also equipped with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder TSI engine, similar to the previous generation, producing a maximum output of 211 ps. Notably, the 2.0 R-Line now comes standard with a triple-meter display in the interior.

In terms of safety equipment, new additions include Blind Spot Detection, which detects blind spots behind the vehicle, and Rear Traffic Alert, which significantly enhances safety when reversing. Furthermore, the Fatigue Detection System has been adopted, which detects unusual driving patterns due to fatigue or drowsiness and prompts the driver to take a break.

The Volkswagen genuine infotainment system, Composition Media, standard on The Beetle, features App-Connect, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto, and MirrorLink. By simply connecting a smartphone, users can access navigation functions, send and receive emails via voice input, and make phone calls.

Volkswagen The Beetle Design | Volkswagen The Beetle Design

The Beetle has sold 26,000 units in Japan over the past four years since its launch. Regarding the user profile, Til Schaer, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Japan, stated, "The proportion of female customers is 50%, which is higher than other Volkswagen models, and there is no particular age bias. Above all, most customers purchase the car because they love its unique design."

He added, "We hope to provide even more enjoyment to Volkswagen customers with the new model's abundant color variations."