Volkswagen's New Beetle is no longer that new, having been around for about four years now. With new entrants such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Thunderbird, and Mini Cooper stealing headlines, der Beetle no longer basks alone in the retro-fad limelight. Out on the road, in the real world, however, the New Beetle still attracts attention.
More important to people who own one, the Beetle's driving dynamics continue to deliver a spunky driving experience to go along with its spunky-yet-timeless looks. Opt for the 150-horsepower 1.8T turbocharged model, and the Beetle is downright quick.
Five models are available: GL ($15,900); GLS 2.0L ($16,850); GLS TDI ($17,900); GLS 1.8T ($19,000); GLX ($21,175).
GL and GLS are powered by Volkswagen's 115-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. GLS TDI uses a 90-horsepower 1.9-liter turbocharged diesel engine. The 1.8T comes with a 150-horsepower turbocharged 1.8-liter engine. The 1.8T is available in two trim lines: the GLS 1.8T and the fully loaded GLX.
When it arrived in 1998, the New Beetle rekindled the magic of its legendary namesake and became a ray of sunshine in an all-too-serious car market. The Volkswagen Beetle is among the top 10 best-selling nameplates of all time, ranking right up there with the Ford Model T in terms of number sold. The design of Volkswagen's New Beetle captures the essence of the original Bug.
But Volkswagen calls this car the "New" Beetle to emphasize that it actually has little in common with the old one. (We can't help but wonder, however, how long we're supposed to call it the "New" Beetle: When they redesign will we be referring to how the "old New Beetle" compares with the "new New Beetle"?)
While the original Beetle used an air-cooled engine mounted in back that powered the rear wheels, the New Beetle mounts a water-cooled engine up front that powers the front wheels.
The New Beetle is thoroughly modern. It is built on the same basic platform as the Volkswagen Golf. It's also far safer than the old Bug. Well-engineered crumple zones and other features enhance crash protection. Dual front and side airbags and antilock brakes come standard. A rigid chassis results in a smooth, controlled ride with little noise, vibration or harshness.
Though it harks to the original design, the shape of the New Beetle is thoroughly modern. Chrome bumpers have been replaced with integrated, color-keyed bumpers. Quality is also far batter than the old Bug. Gaps between doors, fenders and other body panels are some of the tightest we've seen.
The original Beetle was an economy car and looked it. The New Beetle is still a good value, but visually it tells a different story. It looks up-market and up-tempo. It comes in a sophisticated palette of colors. Cyber Green, for example, is a pearlescent metallic finish that seems to change colors in different lighting conditions. Big 16-inch tires lend a sporty look. For 2001, optional 17-inch aluminum wheels ($400) are available for GLX models.
Beetle's unique exterior styling is complemented by its unique interior design. A myriad of materials is used to give the Beetle a high-tech look. The upper dash uses coarse, hard materials accented by smoother, softer surfaces elsewhere. Curved, dimpled door handles look ultra-modern. Upper door panels use a matte version of the car's exterior paint. The steering wheel features brushed aluminum spokes and carbon-fiber-looking handgrips. A small bud vase keeps a small flower looking fresh or holds a plastic daisy.
A big speedometer and tiny tachometer are in a circular gauge panel that glows indigo at night. This complements red lighting used for stereo and heating/air conditioning controls to minimize glare at night. It also looks neat. Sleek radio and heater controls are within easy reach and, but can be difficult to decipher and awkward to operate at speed.
