Volkswagen Beetle (A5)

This article is about the model introduced in 2011. For the original Volkswagen Beetle, see Volkswagen Beetle. For the 1997-2011 model, see Volkswagen New Beetle.

Volkswagen Beetle
2012 Volkswagen Beetle (US)
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	2011–present
Assembly	Puebla, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	2+2 hatchback
Platform	Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
Related	Audi A3 Audi TT Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen Tiguan Volkswagen Scirocco
Powertrain
Engine	petrol engines: 1.2 L I4 TSI 1.4 L I4 16 valve TSI 2.0 L I4 16 valve TSI 2.5 L I5 20 valve diesel engines: 1.6 L I4 TDI 2.0 L I4 TDI
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,537 mm (99.9 in)
Length	4,278 mm (168.4 in)
Width	1,808 mm (71.2 in)
Height	1,486 mm (58.5 in)

The Volkswagen Beetle is a compact car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model year, as the successor to the New Beetle. It features a lower profile while retaining an overall shape recalling the original Volkswagen Beetle.

One of Volkswagen's goals with this Beetle model was to give it a more aggressive appearance while giving it aspects of the original Beetle's design, which it has achieved with its new dimensions. The Beetle is longer than the New Beetle (now 4,278 mm (168.4 in) and sharing the A5 (PQ35) platform with the current Volkswagen Jetta. It also has a lower profile, 12 mm (0.5 in) shorter than its predecessor, and 88 mm (3.5 in) wider. The boot is now 310 L (11 cu ft), up from 209 L (7.4 cu ft). The second generation Beetle is being built alongside the Jetta, Golf Variant & Old Jetta (Clásico) at Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Volkswagen projects that a convertible version will follow the coupe in 2012. A performance version, called Beetle R, is projected to follow later.

Launch

On November 22, 2010, on the final episode of the Oprah's Favorite Things special, Oprah Winfrey and Volkswagen announced that every member of Winfrey's audience that day would receive one of the Beetles upon its release in 2011. VW staff gave the audience their special keys to the car. This was followed by a teaser commercial during Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.

To celebrate the global reveal, VW partnered with MTV, to make a debut on three continents on April 18. The reveal began in Shanghai, China with a MTV Sound System celebration hosted by MTV VJs, followed by MTV World Stage events in Berlin and New York City.

On April 18, 2011, the 2012 model was unveiled as the Volkswagen Beetle, dropping the word "New" from its name. It debuted at Auto Shanghai and the New York Auto Show.

Engines

The new model retains the front-engine, front-wheel drive layout of the first generation, while improving interior packaging with more room in the rear. Four-cylinder engine options for the European market are expected to include 1.2-litre (103 bhp (77 kW; 104 PS)), 1.4-litre (158 bhp (118 kW; 160 PS)) and 2.0-litre (197 bhp (147 kW; 200 PS)) TSI petrol engines, and 1.6-litre (105 bhp) and 2.0-litre (138 bhp (103 kW; 140 PS)) TDI diesel engines. In addition to the 2.0-litre TSI and TDI engines the North American market retains the 2.5-litre (168 bhp (125 kW; 170 PS)) straight-five engine found in the previous Beetle.

All engines for this model are offered with an option of a six-speed manual transmission or the option of a dual-clutch DSG automatic. In the United States transmissions on petrol models come with either a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic on 2.5 L models, while on the clean diesel model there is the option of a DSG six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

VW Beetle Turbo Black

Special editions

The first special edition of the 2012 Beetle is the Black Turbo launch edition. It will be limited to 600 cars on the U.S. market and will be the first car available through Volkswagen’s new Vehicle Pre-Order program.

A Beetle Turbo Black made an appearance at the 30th annual Wörthersee Treffen in June 2011 in Reifnitz, Austria. It was located on the floating barge showcase at the entrance to the show. Other cars on the barge included a Reifnitz Edition GTI and the Touareg Racer. A heavily modified in-house electric-powered Beetle, called E-Bugster, was unveiled at 2012 North American International Auto Show. Unlike other new Beetles, the E-Bugster is a two-seater instead of 2+2.

A convertible version of the hatchback will be available late 2012 or early 2013 for the 2013 model year. The convertible version will be available with both the gasoline and diesel engines. Transmission will be a five- and six-speed manual and the fast-shifting six-speed DSG automatic. Volkswagen plans to launch three special editions to celebrate the new chop top variant. "Fifties", "Sixties", and "Seventies" special editions will feature special period accurate colors, wheels, and interior options. These "authentic reproductions", as Volkswagen calls them, will be sold in Europe this summer and the U.S. in the autumn of 2012.

The Fender Beetle special edition will feature Fender's nine-speaker, 400 watt sound system, specifically designed for the Beetle and other Volkswagens. Painted in a deep black pearl and chrome accents on the side skirt, bumper, wheels, and mirrors with Fender badges on each side and on the back for the outside. With black cloth seats with alternating stitching colors and a sunburst colored dashboard styled like Fender's iconic Stratocaster on the inside, this will be two icons coming together as one.

External links

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