Volkswagen New Beetle

This article is about the automobile introduced in 1998. For the original Volkswagen Beetle, see Volkswagen Beetle. For the model introduced in 2012, see Volkswagen Beetle (A5).

Volkswagen New Beetle

Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Also called	Volkswagen Beetle (Mexico) Volkswagen Bjalla (Iceland)
Production	October 1997–July 2010
Model years	1998–2010
Assembly	1997–1999: Wolfsburg, Germany 1998–2010: Puebla, Mexico 2010–present: Hai Phong, Vietnam (CKD by World Auto)
Class	Compact car
Body style	2-door hatchback 2-door convertible
Layout	front engine, front-wheel drive, 4motion all-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
Engine	petrol engines: 1.4L I4 16 valve 1.6L I4 1.8L I4 Turbocharged 2.0L I4 2.3L VR5 20 valve 2.5L I5 20 valve 3.2L VR6 24 valve (RSI) diesel engines: 1.9L I4 TDI
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic tiptronic
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)
Related	Audi A3 Mk1 Audi TT Mk1 SEAT León Mk1 SEAT Toledo Mk2 Škoda Octavia Mk1 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Volkswagen Jetta/Bora
Designer	J Mays, Freeman Thomas, Peter Schreyer

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, 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 will cease in 2011. A redesigned model has replaced it.

Concept 1

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.

First generation (A4 Platform)

2001–2005 New Beetle convertible (US)

2001–2005 New Beetle coupe (Japan)

Strong public reaction to the Concept 1 convinced the company that it should develop a production version which was launched as the New Beetle in 1998, 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). In June 1999, the first turbocharged version of the Beetle was launched, known as the 1.8T, and Volkswagen created a web site dedicated specifically to that vehicle. A convertible was added in mid year 2003 to replace the Volkswagen Cabrio.

The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the original VW Beetle: separate wings, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps and large round tail lights, as well as a high rounded roofline. It is assembled currently in VW Puebla factory in Mexico.

The Volkswagen New Beetle was the car that started the retro-futurist design craze. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from popular culture. However, this modern version, being much more complicated than the simple design of the original "people's car" envisioned by Porsche, was prone to several mechanical and electronic defects. The automatic transmission, for example, is a well-documented issue, often failing after only a relatively short period of use (see:hard-shifting issue on VW Bug) and requiring expensive repair. Other issues associated with the retro design are poor access to even simple maintenance areas, making changing a front bulb for example, an expensive service operation. The convertible was also prone to failing window mechanism, which requires the window to "shuffle" when opening and closing the door in order for the window to seal with the roof due to the pillarless door design. The power roof mechanism also suffered from a very complex mechanism of pulleys and plastic flaps in order to simply cover and uncover the folding structure. This was "rectified" by VW in the 2006 model onwards by removing one plastic cover panel from the mechanism, reducing failure likelihood, but at the expense of esthetics. The New Beetle also had an overly sensitive and complex Computer control system, often requiring a full system reset at the VW Dealer whenever the battery was disconnected or discharged to enable it to be driven properly.

2008 New Beetle Anniversary Edition coupe (Australia)   2008 New Beetle Anniversary Edition coupe (Australia)

Specifications

• Dimension:
  • Length: 4,129 mm (162.6 in)
  • Width: 1,721 mm (67.8 in)
  • Height: 1,498 mm (59.0 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2,515 mm (99.0 in)
  • Curb weight: 1,230 kg (2,712 lb)
• Max speed: 177–210 km/h (110-131 mph)
• Acceleration (0–96 km/h | 0-60 mph): 6.5-13.2 sec

Body styles

Chassis code	Typ 1C	Typ 9C	Typ 1Y
Body type	coupe	coupe	convertible
Region(s)	North America	Europe and others	World
Years	1998–	1998–	2001–

Engine choices

TDI diesel engine in 2006 New Beetle

Model	engine code(s)	engine type	max power@rpm	max torque@rpm	years
Petrol engines
1.4	BCA	1,390 cc (1.39 L; 85 cu in) I4 DOHC 16V	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) @5000	126 N·m (93 lb·ft) @3800	2001–
1.6	AWH	1,595 cc (1.595 L; 97.3 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V	101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp) @5600	145 N·m (107 lb·ft) @3800	1999–2000
1.6	AYD / BFS	1,595 cc (1.595 L; 97.3 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V	102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) @5600	148 N·m (109 lb·ft) @3800	2000–
1.8 T	AGU	1,781 cc (1.781 L; 108.7 cu in) I4 DOHC 20V turbo	150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) @5700	210 N·m (150 lb·ft) @1750-4600	1998–2000
1.8 T	APH /AVC /AWC /AWU /AWV /BKF	1,781 cc (1.781 L; 108.7 cu in) I4 DOHC 20V turbo	150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) @5800	220 N·m (160 lb·ft) @2000-4200	1999–
1.8 T	AUQ	1,781 cc (1.781 L; 108.7 cu in) I4 DOHC 20V turbo	180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp)	235 N·m (173 lb·ft)	2001–?
1.8 T	AWP	1,781 cc (1.781 L; 108.7 cu in) I4 DOHC 20V turbo	180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) @5500	235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @1950-5000	2002–2004
2.0	AEG	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V	116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) @5400	165 N·m (122 lb·ft) @2800	1998–2001
2.0	APK / AQY	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V	116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) @5200	170 N·m (130 lb·ft) @2400	1998–2001
2.0	AZJ /BDC /BEJ /BER /BEV /BGD /BHP	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V	116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp) @5200	172 N·m (127 lb·ft) @3200	2001–2003
2.3 V5	AQN	2,324 cc (2.324 L; 141.8 cu in) VR5 DOHC 20V	170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) @6200	220 N·m (160 lb·ft) @3300	2000–2005
2.5	BGP	2,480 cc (2.48 L; 151 cu in) I5 DOHC 20V	150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp)	209 N·m (154 lb·ft)	2006–
2.5	BPR /BPS	2,480 cc (2.48 L; 151 cu in) I5 DOHC 20V	150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) @5000	228 N·m (168 lb·ft) @3750	2006–
3.2 RSI	AXJ	3,189 cc (3.189 L; 194.6 cu in) VR6 DOHC 24V	225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp)	320 N·m (240 lb·ft)	2000–2003
Diesel engines
1.9 TDI	AGR / ALH	1,896 cc (1.896 L; 115.7 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Injection pump)	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @4000	210 N·m (150 lb·ft) @1900	1998–2004
1.9 TDI	ATD /AXR /BEW	1,896 cc (1.896 L; 115.7 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Pumpe-Düse)	101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp) @4000	240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @1800-2400	2000–2005
1.9 TDI	BJB / BKC / BXE / BLS	1,896 cc (1.896 L; 115.7 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V turbo	105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) @4000	240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @1800	2003–
1.9 TDI	BSW	1,896 cc (1.896 L; 115.7 cu in) I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Pumpe-Düse)	105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) @4000	240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @1800-2200	2005–

Safety

The car achieved 4 stars in the Euro NCAP tests scoring 25 points (33 to reach 5 stars).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the New Beetle a Good overall score in their frontal crash test. 2004 models come standard with side airbags, however the IIHS rated the Beetle Poor in their side impact test.

United States models

Engines choices include the 115 hp (86 kW) 2.0L inline-4 for the base model, the 100 hp (75 kW) 1.9 L TDI turbodiesel inline-4 (discontinued after the 2006 model year due to more stringent emissions requirements), and the 150 hp (112 kW) 1.8 L Turbo inline-4 for the Turbo and Sport models .

The Turbo S model (sold 2002–2004) included the 1.8 L Turbo but with 180 hp (134 kW). It also included a sport suspension, six-speed manual transmission, aluminum interior trim, revised front/rear fascias and bigger wheels and tires. A close relative of the Turbo S was the 2002–2004 Color Concept. This limited edition variant was available in limited exterior colors, with interior door panel inserts, seat inserts, floor mat piping and wheel opening inserts color-matched to the exterior paint. It came standard with the turbo gasoline engine and speed activated rear spoiler, six speed automatic, power windows/sunroof/door locks, heated leather seats, and fog lamps.

All 1.8L Turbo and Turbo S inline-4 models equipped with retractable rear spoiler which not available on 1.9 L TDI inline-4, 2.0L inline-4 and 2.5 L inline-5 models.

For the 2006 model, the exterior was slightly redesigned with more angular bumpers and wheel wells, and fitted with the 2.5 L straight-5 base engine with 150 hp (112 kW), which was the only engine option from that point on.

Special editions

Beetle RSi (2001–2003)

VW New Beetle RSi

It is a limited (250 units) version of New Beetle. It included a 224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) 3.2 litre VR6 engine, a 6-speed gearbox, and Volkswagen's four-wheel drive system 4motion, Remus twin-pipe exhaust. It was rumoured Porsche tuned the suspension but this was carried out in-house at VW Individual. The suspension was greatly altered at the rear, with geometry more geared to the race track and a rear cross brace behind the rear seats, 80 mm (3.1 in) wider fenders, unique front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, large rear wing, and 18x9 OZ Superturismo wheels with 235/40ZR-18 tyres. Inside, it was trimmed in carbon fiber, billet aluminum, and bright orange leather. The front seats were Recaro racing buckets. Notable disadvantages found were loud cabin noise and low rear tire life.

Curiously, in Mexico, although being a country very attached to Volkswagen, there are RSis that have not been sold since 2001. This is probably due to its US$58,000 price tag, and because Mexico is the country where many Beetle RSis stayed (20 cars).

Ragster concept

The VW New Beetle Ragster Concept at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show

At the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster concept car was introduced. It was supposed to be a preview of the future design of the New Beetle.^{[citation needed]} The base of the Ragster (the name denoting a cross between a "ragtop" and a speedster) was a New Beetle Convertible modified with a new roof, giving it a much lower roofline, and a unique paint job with silver double stripes. The interior differs from the original New Beetle, being a 2+2, and having distinctive control dials The Ragster's rear-view mirror is mounted on its dashboard, a retro feature, reminiscent of the first Type 1s.^{[citation needed]}

Final edition (2010)

Announced at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Final Edition New Beetle features Aquarius Blue paintwork, with the hardtop receiving a black painted roof and the convertible sporting Campanella White painted side panels. In addition to unique 17" wheels, both models will be powered by a 2.5 litre engine mated to a semi-automatic "Tiptronic" transmission. Other additions include sports suspension and "Final Edition" badging inside and out. Both models arrive with integrated fog lights and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard. The production will run 1500 units of each model

This edition marks the end of production of the current generation New Beetle.

Awards

The Volkswagen New Beetle was Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" for 1999.

See also

• Punch buggy
• Hot hatch
• Beetle Adventure Racing!

External links

• Official New Beetle website at Volkswagen.com
• VX 21st Century New Beetle page