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Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle (9C MY02.5) 2.0 coupe (2010-10-01) 01.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Also called Volkswagen Beetle (Mexico)
Volkswagen Bjalla (Iceland)
Production October 1997–July 2011
Model years 1998-2011
Assembly 1997–1999: Wolfsburg, Germany
1999–2011: Puebla, Mexico
2011–present: Hai Phong, Vietnam (CKD by World Auto)
Designer J Mays,
Freeman Thomas,
Peter Schreyer
Body and chassis
Class Compact car (C)
Body style 2-door hatchback coupé
2-door convertible
Layout front engine, front-wheel drive, 4motion all-wheel drive (RSi)
Platform Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
Related Audi A3 Mk1
Audi TT Mk1
SEAT León Mk1
SEAT Toledo Mk2
Škoda Octavia Mk1
Volkswagen Golf Mk4
Volkswagen Jetta/Bora
Powertrain
Engine petrol engines:
1.4 L I4 16 valve
1.6 L I4
1.8 L I4 Turbocharged
2.0 L I4
2.3 L VR5 20 valve
2.5 L I5 20 valve
3.2 L VR6 24 valve (RSI)
diesel engine:
1.9 L I4 TDI
Transmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
6-speed automatic tiptronic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,515 mm (99 in)
Length 4,129 mm (163 in)
Width 1,721 mm (68 in)
Height 59.5 in (1,511 mm) (1998–2000),
1,498 mm (59 in) (hatch 2003–present),
59.1 in (1,501 mm) (convertible)
Chronology
Predecessor Volkswagen Beetle
Successor Volkswagen Beetle (A5)

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1997, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front, driving the front wheels, with luggage storage in the rear. Many special editions have been released, such as the Malibu Barbie New Beetle. In May 2010, Volkswagen announced that production of the current body of the New Beetle would cease in 2011.

In 2011 for the 2012 model-year, a new Beetle model, the Beetle (A5), replaced the New Beetle. It is often referred to as the New Beetle as well.

At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio, the concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo. A red cabriolet concept was featured at the Geneva Motor Show, also in 1994.

In 1996, the Volkswagen Concept Two was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show. This one had major restyling and looked a lot like the final production version, launched in 1998.

Strong public reaction to the Concept One convinced the company that it should develop a production version which was launched as the New Beetle in 1997 for the 1998 model-year, based on the Golf IV's larger PQ34 platform. The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance (including the absence of a car emblem script with the exception of the VW logo). For the 1998 model year, only the TDI compression-ignition engine was turbocharged; the spark-ignition engines were only naturally aspirated. In June 1999, Volkswagen introduced the 1.8T, which was the first turbocharged spark-ignition engine offered for the New Beetle. Volkswagen created a web site dedicated specifically to the 1.8T. A convertible was added for the 2003 model-year to replace the Volkswagen Cabrio. However, the New Beetle Convertible was never offered with a compression-ignition engine in North America.


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