Volkswagen New Beetle
| Volkswagen New Beetle | |
|---|---|
_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.
...
Wikipedia