Volkswagen BEETLE 2.0
Volkswagens Original 2.0-Litre Beetle Faces Stiff Competition From A Growing Number Of Rivals. Steve Ghosley Checks If It Has What It Takes
With the novelty value starting to rub off,
Volkswagen have been in the unusual position of having to really sell their Beetle to a public that now has a far greater choice of retro and quirky vehicles from which to choose. Cars like the
MINI and
Smart car are satisfying the needs of those who want to be different and have left Volkswagen with a problem that they havent had to face before.
Their solution has been to continually introduce new variants like the 1.4-litre, 1.6-litre, turbo-charged 1.8-litre and 2.
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3litre V5 petrol versions as well as a 1.9-litre TDi PD diesel powered model to keep customers interested and the range fresh. The model we look at here though is the 2.0-litre petrol eight-valve 115bhp petrol engine already used, at one time or another in Golf, Bora and Passat models and capable of surprisingly good performance.
This is the version that first hit the streets when the need to be seen in the latest Bug was more important to buyers than the performance or even the cost. Now that the hype has died down, the 2.0-litre Beetle has to compete with all the newly arrived versions, so how does it fare? At £14,480 for the manual variant, it isnt cheap and if you want the automatic, that costs £15,305. Theres also a Cabriolet alternative to the fixed top version were looking at here, open-topped motoring in this case priced at £18,235.
Whichever version you choose, this Beetle comes with a fairly high specification along with the performance you would expect from a lusty two-litre engine. Its decently fast (rest to sixty in 10.9s on the way to 115mph) but less frugal than any of its stablemates bar the 2.3-litre V5, with a combined consumption figure of 32.
0mpg. This reduces further to 29.7mpg if you opt for the automatic gearbox. Performance however, tends not to be an important consideration for potential Beetle buyers.
What you get for your money though is and with this model the creature comforts over and above the standard fare consists of manual air-conditioning, ABS brakes, Route 66 alloy wheels, Canasta cloth upholstery and carpet mats. You also get a very handy 12-volt socket in the luggage compartment. In addition, expect to find electric front windows, powered heated and adjustable mirrors, tinted glass, remote central locking and an alarm. You can get all these things in a Golf of course or indeed in any other sensible family hatchback.
But then, you dont buy a Beetle to be sensible.
"The new Beetle is a
Volkswagen through and through feeling like its hewn from stone "
Modern Beetles are bought as fashion accessories, as second or third cars for the weekend jaunt or the trip to the squash club. Early US buyers included Beverley Hills celebrities, a presidents daughter and exclusive car rental establishments. In the UK you see them zipping about with advertising agencies names on the doors. Or parked outside fashionable restaurants and nightclubs.
And in the parking slots of exclusive gated residential estates. To therefore complain about the lack of bootspace, the fact that there are no rear doors or even the price is meaningless. What matters is that this car has style and plenty of it. Dont buy one if youve a tendency towards the shy and retiring.
Youll still find that when you park, passers by admire its cute looks. When you drive it, you can still often see on the faces of the people that you pass a look that says "I want one". This Beetles interior is even more of a shock than the outside; full marks to the design team for doing the job properly, rather than filling it with Golf and Polo dials from the Volkswagen parts bin. Of course, there are plenty of tell-tale Volkswagen signs; the switches, the firm seats, the positive gearbox but you dont really notice them. What you do notice are all the natty stylish touches.
The big central circular instrument cluster with its huge numbers and cute little built-in rev counter. As youd expect from a car with such a high roofline, theres enough room inside to wear a top hat should the mood take you. More practically, that high roofline does make travelling in the rear reasonably palatable, although legroom is at a bit of a premium. Nice touches include folding rear
seat that increases boot space, the height adjustable seats and the three 12V power sockets installed around the car.
On the road, the ride is Germanically firm and the handling competent but generally uninspiring. The new Beetle is a Volkswagen through and through feeling like its hewn from stone, with the kind of build quality youd expect from something twice as expensive. The little touches help too; the lovely blue instrument lighting which illuminates only the figures on the speedometer; the beautifully designed unique-fit stereo. Equipment levels, as weve seen, include most things on the average wish list and include ESP, the Electronic Stability Programme normally reserved for performance models.
This senses when youve entered a corner too fast and automatically reduces the power whilst selectively applying individual brakes so that the car can be kept under control. On the passive safety front, theres twin side and front airbags built around a platform thats still one of the safest things this side of £30,000. This 2.0-litre Beetle has a fight on its hands and not just with the oppositions products.
Most prospective customers will be looking for something different to what this model offers. It is neither the fastest, most economical or cheapest in the range and the specification could offer more. So whos going to continue to buy this Beetle? Perhaps a keenly priced 2.0-litre special edition version would answer that one.
Over to you Volkswagen.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 range
PRICE: £14,480 - £18,235 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 209g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 115mph / 0-60mph 10.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 32.0mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4081/1836/1498
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