Volkswagen BEETLE V5 range
If Youre After A Brawnier Beetle, Youve Come To The Right Place. The Beetle V5 Is One Of The Biggest And Beefiest Bargains Around. Andy Enright Reports
Whilst some would argue that the new Beetle has never really taken off in quite the manner that
Volkswagen intended, thats perhaps down to a lack of serious propulsion and inherent public cynicism when attempting to replace a legend. Volkswagens V5 powerplant, as fitted to this Beetle, will certainly scotch the first concern and its aggressive pricing should blow a big hole in the latter too.
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The 170bhp five-cylinder engine is certainly one of the highlights of the
Volkswagen range, being found at one time or another under the bonnets of Golf, Bora and Passat models and affecting a Spanish accent in the
SEAT Toledo. Volkswagens decision to replace the old ten-valve 150bhp engine with a modern 20-valve cylinder head design has worked wonders for the V5, not only differentiating it from the 150bhp 1.8-litre turbo unit thats the bedrock of the Volkswagen range, but also endowing it with effortless mid-range overtaking power and a broad swell of torque. Couple this engine with the trendy Beetle bodyshell and you may expect to be knocking on the door of £20,000, but just £17,225 will land you the privilege of your name on the V5s V5, so as to speak.
When you consider that this is £1,500 less than the Bora V5, youll get some idea as to the Beetles appeal. To be fair to the Bora, it campaigns on a far more sophisticated executive level than the fun-loving Beetle, but even compared to more sporting Volkswagen Group models using the dynamically inferior 180bhp 1.8-litre turbo engine, the Beetle emerges as good value.
"In V5 guise it will shock many drivers of far more serious hardware"
Despite this admirable value proposition, its not easy to spot the target market for the Volkswagen Beetle V5. Many of the Beetles customers are sold on the looks and couldnt care less what its powered by and, subsequently opting for the cheapest model available. Meanwhile, the sort of keen drivers whod appreciate the rich subtleties of the V5 engine would probably not turn to the apparently frivolous Beetle for their performance fun. 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 saw them zipping about with advertising agencies names on the doors. Or parked outside fashionable restaurants and wine bars. Whilst they are still trendier than your average product, the Beetle is now slipping into the mainstream, and thats perhaps where Volkswagen will score with the V5 model.
The cutting edge urban trendies now see the Beetle as yesterdays thing, and are looking at New Minis and
Audi A2s instead. Nevertheless, to the uninitiated the 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 telltale 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. Plus, of course, the vase (yes, you read that right), ready for you to fill with flower power. More macho buyers can pretend its a penholder or something. The roofline sails overhead with what feel like feet to spare, although rear seat passengers wont enjoy the same sensation of space.
Instead theyll have to watch their heads when the rear tailgate is slammed shut as, like the Audi TT, taller passengers heads can come into contact with the rear screen with potentially painful consequences. The view from the drivers seat is otherworldly. With the fascia bathed in soft indigo light and the windscreen well out of arms reach, the curving A-pillars arc down to an unseen bonnet creating a soothing impression of sitting back and watching proceedings through a widescreen television. The V5 Beetle is specified much as any other Beetle in the range, with the exception of some very attractive seven-spoke 17-inch Daytona alloy wheels and a six-disc CD autochanger makes an appearance.
Otherwise count on air conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, ABS, power steering, tinted glass, and power/heated mirrors. For £18,725 Volkswagen will sell you a V5 Sport version replete with big wheels and aggressive spoilers, but for most the standard V5 will be more than adequate. The Beetle V5 is the quickest mainstream Beetle to date, hitting 60mph in 8.5 seconds before running on to a maximum velocity of 131mph.
Its the engine that really is the most impressive thing about the car, and the way that it seems to gain in enthusiasm as it barks towards the rev limiter in each gear is enough to put a smile on most drivers faces. From the Audi Quattro to the
Fiat Coupe, five-cylinder engines have often proved both charismatic and capable and the story continues here. Fuel economy is very reasonable Volkswagen claim a combined figure of 31.7mpg, barely down on the standard four-cylinder 2.
0-litre variant. The Volkswagen Beetle used to be something of an indulgence. More money for significantly less car gave it quite a narrow appeal, but since the product got better and the asking price has become far more reasonable, the Beetle has become a car that can poach sales from more mainstream rivals. In V5 guise, it will shock many drivers of far more serious hardware and represents something of a bargain.
You may well be surprised to find that the Beetle V5 is all the car youll ever need. After all, personality goes a long way
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Beetle V5 range
PRICE: £17,225 - £18,725 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 214g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 131mph / 0-60mph 8.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 22.8mpg / (extra urban) 41.5mpg / (combined) 31.7mpg
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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