[youtube]scHmkn7ktuQ[/youtube]Volkswagen revealed its 2012 Beetle at the New York, Shanghai, and Berlin car shows on Monday.
The 2012 Beetle is the second complete redesign of the original Beetle. The original Beetle was widely popular in the 1940s in Germany and the model remained basically the same ever since. In 1998, Volkswagen created the second generation Beetle, redesigned for the modern era.
The third generation model is a bit longer and wider—an increase of 6 inches in length and 3.3 inches in width.
The automaker took on board criticism regarding the current Beetle’s deep dashboard, and redesigned the 2012 model’s dashboard to give customers a “more conventional driving position,” according to a Volkswagen press release.
Other significant changes include the replacement of the plastic vase with other optional features, as well as revamping the car to appeal more to male drivers, while retaining that famous retro look.
As per Volkwagen’s original mission, the 2012 Beetle will “remain affordable to a large portion of the population,” yet could make the Mini Cooper a possible rival, priced at $20,100 and above, USA Today reported.
VW’s U.S. chief Jonathan Browning says the new Beetle’s mystique is more comparable to the Cooper, rather than its price, according to the newspaper.
The 2012 Beetle is the second complete redesign of the original Beetle. The original Beetle was widely popular in the 1940s in Germany and the model remained basically the same ever since. In 1998, Volkswagen created the second generation Beetle, redesigned for the modern era.
The third generation model is a bit longer and wider—an increase of 6 inches in length and 3.3 inches in width.
The automaker took on board criticism regarding the current Beetle’s deep dashboard, and redesigned the 2012 model’s dashboard to give customers a “more conventional driving position,” according to a Volkswagen press release.
Other significant changes include the replacement of the plastic vase with other optional features, as well as revamping the car to appeal more to male drivers, while retaining that famous retro look.
As per Volkwagen’s original mission, the 2012 Beetle will “remain affordable to a large portion of the population,” yet could make the Mini Cooper a possible rival, priced at $20,100 and above, USA Today reported.
VW’s U.S. chief Jonathan Browning says the new Beetle’s mystique is more comparable to the Cooper, rather than its price, according to the newspaper.
