Next generation 2011 VW New Beetle

In conjunction with the upcoming Super Bowl XLV games in the US, VW has released the first of a series of teaser ads for the new VW New Beetle (it sounds really odd to introduce the new New Beetle). I've always wondered why is there the word "New" in the current Beetle's original name. Surely the logical Germans would've noticed that the naming convention is not consistent throughout their model lineup.




Details are scarce but we do know for sure that the odd feminine looks of the current model will be dropped in favor of something that transcends gender and age, like a MINI, which is a far more successful present day interpretation of a retro classic. The logic is simple, not many people, be they men or women, want to be seen arriving in a car that looked like 4 clowns are going to jump out of it anytime. Men don't want to drive feminine looking cars, women too don't want to drive feminine looking cars. Unless of course if you live in Japan but that's another story.

So that bubble shape will be toned down, windscreen will raked more upright just like the original Beetle, it will be wider and lower to give a more agile looking silhouette. And if the concept of the teaser is to reflect the true qualities of the product, we can then expect a very agile chassis that could give the MINI Cooper, still the benchmark in FWD hatchback handling (aside from the Golf GTi) a run for its money. In fact, the beetle (as in the biological version) in the teaser ad even has racing stripes on it! Reminds me of Herbie. Unlike the MINI however, the Beetle will be marketed as a two door coupe.


These are some spyshots obtained by Car UK. Ignore the exterior looks though. This is just a development mule for powertrain and component testing. It is not the actual production version of the car.




Rumour has it that the next Beetle will debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show. The US of course, is the (New) Beetle's largest market.

The Super Bowl ad however is not the first teaser for the next generation Beetle. Back in November 2010, Oprah Winfrey gave away 250 units of the unreleased Beetle to her audience, showing them only the silhouette of the car.