Volkswagen BEETLE
Vanessa Hinkley takes a big swig of Volkswagens little fashion icon
If youve owned a conventional family hatchback for what seems like years and years, then youre probably crying out for something a bit different. Something like a
Volkswagen Beetle? Well perhaps. You probably hadnt considered a Beetle as a replacement, like me assuming it to be too expensive and impractical. Check out the car more carefully, as I did, and you might change your ideas.
No, its not quite as spacious as something more ordinary and youll have to pay slightly more than you might have been expecting but both are drawbacks you might well be prepared to put up with in return for the privilege of owning one. I would be. 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 Im told included Beverley Hills celebrities, a presidents daughter (young Chelsea Clinton) and exclusive car rental establishments.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
 |
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
 |
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
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.
If youre ferrying people about regularly, a Beetle wont be ideal since it only comes with three doors. Buy a Golf if you want five doors. Still, the boot, although not huge, is a pretty decent size, particularly if you fold down the rear seats. Like my colleagues, I found the Beetle interior to be 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. 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 pen holder or something. As youd expect from the bubble-like shape, theres enough room inside to wear an Ascot hat should the mood take you. More practically, that high roofline does make travelling in the rear reasonably palatable though legroom is at a bit of a premium. Like all modern Volkswagens, the Beetle feels 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. Even the topless Beetle Cabriolet feels surprisingly rigid. Unlike many open-top conversions, it doesnt flex like a wobbleboard when the road is anything less than billiard table smooth. The MkIV Golf-based chassis is renowned as one of the stiffest around and the decapitation process has retained much of that torsional rigidity.
The rear view mirror doesnt get an attack of the DTs when you pass over an expansion joint nor are there the sort of creaks associated with the final moments of a Bond villains lair when you negotiate a speed hump. Thanks to that huge windscreen, front
seat occupants are well protected from wind buffeting, but anybody in the rear seat will get more of a leathering at speed. Rear seat accommodation for two isnt too bad unless the front passengers have extremely long legs. Headroom is an issue at the back with the hood up, but then it is in a hard top Beetle in the first instance.
Theres a usefully sized boot, but if youre big on practicality, Volkswagen can offer you an alternative. Its called a Passat Estate
On the road, you know youre in a Volkswagen. The ride is Germanically firm and the handling competent but generally uninspiring. Theres the choice of 1.4, 1.
6 or 2.0-litre power and a diesel, plus a couple of performance engines the 1.8T turbo petrol unit and the V5. The 1.
8T manages the rest to sixty sprint in 9.0s (compared to 10.9s for the 2.0) on the way to 126mph (115mph for the 2.
0). Opt for the V5 and that sprint will tumble to 8.7 seconds and the top speed creeps up to 131mph.
I thought the price span to be fairly reasonable, the cheapest 1.4-litre version priced from £11,610, the 1.6-litre version retailing at £12,510 and the 2.0-litre model that most choose costing £14,480.
Id be tempted to push the boat out and go for the fleet 1.8T £15,675, a much better proposition than the pricey (but no faster) V5 at £17,225. Then theres the punchy but economical 1.9TDi for £14,335.
Of the Cabriolet models, the entry-level 1.4-litre car, priced at £14,610 looks reasonable VFM. Equipment levels include most things on the average wish list; the 2.0-litre version includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, ABS, power steering, tinted glass, a decent stereo and power/heated mirrors.
On the safety front, theres twin side and front airbags built around a platform thats probably the safest thing this side of £30,000. Nice touches include folding rear seat that increases boot space, the height adjustable seats and the three 12V power sockets installed around the car. Options include a CD changer, leather upholstery, a sunroof, a winter pack with heated front seats and headlight washers and, for easy city driving, a four-speed automatic transmission.
A Beetle is always going to be an unashamed indulgence but in this case, its one that even the family-minded user can just about justify making.
<< Back to Volkswagen car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Volkswagen Cars For Sale UK
