One of the hottest vehicles of the 2011 New York Auto Show has to be the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The new car is described as "dynamic, sporty and masculine" by VW, which had an original VW Beetle on hand, in the studio, during the design phase of this new car. The intent was not to simply make it less of a chick car, but to "bring back the spirit of the original, unbreakable, tough, easy-to-use Beetle."
The new New Beetle (just Beetle now) is lower, the windshield is closer to the driver, and the car is 150mm (about 6 inches) longer, with a wheelbase 3.2 inches longer than before. Seventeen-inch wheels are now standard, with 18s and 19s optional.
And while we were specifically told that there was no official plan, we were also told that "VW has an R division team set up in Germany and they need to build cars." Pricing was not announced, but is said to be competitive with the current model's pricing.
Here's Riswick with more...
drhorrible says:
05:52 AM, 04/21/11
Best view of it yet. I reserve my opinion until I see it in real time.
eclogite says:
06:00 AM, 04/21/11
That steering wheel looks like it belongs in a bumper-car.
standingwave says:
06:53 AM, 04/21/11
It’s easy to forget just how much of a sensation the last generation New Beetle was. Sure it had a long production run but the beetle it replaced was still being produced in Mexico for most of the New Beetles early life (ending production 2003). Personally I think there’s nothing wrong with more niche based automobiles having more than just an average lifespan as long as the market is there.
The PT Cruiser wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but lasted 10 years and could have lasted longer had the HHR stayed just a concept. With more and more niche vehicles like the Fiat 500 and all the variants of the mini cooper flooding the market this is probably a good time to update the bug.
prndlol says:
07:18 AM, 04/21/11
All I really want to tweak in this design is add a strip of sheetmetal between the tail lights and the edges of the trunklid.
roar02ram says:
07:24 AM, 04/21/11
Riswick, WHAT are you WEARING? Yeesh!
bonzjr says:
07:57 AM, 04/21/11
Hi, Lil Jimmy, what prep school do you go to?
bodyblue says:
08:00 AM, 04/21/11
JR, one NEVER buttons both buttons on a two button coat....call me, we can talk.....:)
bankerdanny says:
08:29 AM, 04/21/11
OK Pee Wee, please tell me you forgot your jacket and borrowed that one from somebody else. You're in NYC, go buy one that fits. LOL
jlh3 says:
08:42 AM, 04/21/11
JR, one NEVER buttons both buttons on a two button coat....call me, we can talk.....:)
I was gonna say the same thing
stoppre75 says:
08:45 AM, 04/21/11
HAHAHA, i love how all the comments are about James's jacket and not the car. The people do have a point though, leave that jacket in the hotel room when you check out.
As for the car, it looks decent - but this whole "masculine" thing is wearing. It's still a beetle.
blueprint1 says:
09:18 AM, 04/21/11
Beetle: now more masculine!
Riswick: not quite.
addicted2sp33d says:
09:20 AM, 04/21/11
JRiz + that suit + facial stubble = used car salesman.
louiswei says:
09:59 AM, 04/21/11
Agree everything with the comments on Riswick's outfit, it's a disaster...
azggjones says:
10:01 AM, 04/21/11
I could not get past JR to look or care about the new beetle.
uncanny_man says:
10:06 AM, 04/21/11
Teehee. The original beetle, unbreakable?
kain77 says:
10:33 AM, 04/21/11
There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand.
rohith says:
10:41 AM, 04/21/11
The car looks quite good, and hopefully it drives well enough to make up for the fact that we're not getting the Scirocco. I'd like to know whether the car is based off of the current Mk6 Golf or the Mk7 Golf that's supposed to debut next year. It would bode really well for the car as far as dynamics and longevity if it's based off the Mk7 platform.
I'm also hoping that the engine lineup is a short term thing (perhaps a new engine lineup will bow with the Mk7?). VW needs to step it up in fuel economy, with Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, and Honda all getting around 40 mpg on the highway with their compact cars. The low 30's that the 2.5 5 cylinder and 2.0T get just won't be competitive in the medium term.
jr27 says:
10:56 AM, 04/21/11
why is everyone so upset about riswicks clothes?
focus on the awesome beetle
bankerdanny says:
11:05 AM, 04/21/11
Caroline, please please PLEASE use this photo for caption of the week.
Unfortunately my company internet filter blocks the videos from IL, which is why I only commented on the suit and not the car too.
cb_racer says:
11:06 AM, 04/21/11
@ all the princesses concerned with the dude's clothes. This is a CAR blog not a fashion blog!
Pack your pink dresses and get the !@#$ out of here.
redliner says:
12:40 PM, 04/21/11
JR is getting married. He no longer has to impress anyone.
jackson611 says:
01:09 PM, 04/21/11
First off, it's not a suit. A suit comes from one swatch of cloth, this is two different colors.
He looks good, he just needs to adjust a few things. The main thing is undoing the second button. It will help get rid of the bulges that appear to give him A cups. Suits aren't meant to have the bottom button buttoned, so the bottom button pulls the fabric at the top. Another thing is the tie. The tie he's wearing isn't bad, it just isn't the best for his outfit. The colors of the tie (black, white, and grey) match what he is wearing, but it's spring and time to wear colors. A vibrant or bright color would really bring out the white shirt and grey jacket, something like patterned red tie with white and black accents.
It's a good look, it just needs a few adjustments.
adamb1 says:
01:16 PM, 04/21/11
"Table for two or would you like a seat at the bar?"
bodyblue says:
02:58 PM, 04/21/11
"It's a good look, it just needs a few adjustments."
The coat is too small and three pocket sport coats have never looked good.....especially with the pocket flaps out. Also the lapels are too skinny along with the tie. The too short and skinny tie and lapels along with the three pockets just dont work. Sorry JRiz....I really enjoy reading your stuff but take it from somebody who has worn suits and sport coats and ties for 30 years, it just does not work.
Style and fit hint: put on your sport coat....drop your hands to your sides then curl your fingers inward......the bottom of your coat should be in the fold of your fingers. If that happens then the coat is the correct length. Then button your coat....if the lapels flare at all then it is too small, and remember never button both buttons. On a three button coat (hopefully finally out of style again) one only buttons the middle button. Also make sure your fly, the end of your belt buckle and the button line on your shirt all line up....it is called your "gig" line and it shows how much attention to detail you are dedicated too. ( I come from a military family)......remember always dress to where you aspire to be in life. :) I do applaud you for dressing up however....some of us just wanted to help!
robert4380 says:
03:05 PM, 04/21/11
Oh man, the guy who quoted the line from "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" cracked me up. This is too funny.
twhitewolf says:
03:21 PM, 04/21/11
While Mr. Riswick (no comment on the United Airlines stewardess jacket) may not be quite as tall as I am, he seemed to have plenty of headroom in this new Beetle. I like the overall look of the car and I'd like to see a road test, particularly the TDI version.
saturn95 says:
03:22 PM, 04/21/11
Whoops, wrong website, I meant to go to Inside Line, the automotive blog, not the fashion blog.
Wait a minute...
atomic13 says:
05:05 PM, 04/21/11
Oh James...I'll watch any video with you in it, bad suit and all =) That said, thank you for the tour of the interior. I'm a bit interested in all the shiny red details and the fact that no one has mentioned it, yet most panned the same detail in the Juke. I guess your suit took center stage instead?
blueguydotcom says:
08:13 PM, 04/21/11
Wow, there is a weird Project Runway vibe about some of these posts. WTF is up?
Couldn't care less how the guy is dressed. God, how I long for the days of working at a software company where everybody wore shorts and t-shirts. Only thing worse than a sea of khaki...suits. Shaking at the idea...
As for the car - good for VW for taking one more shot.
bankerdanny says:
08:26 PM, 04/21/11
Come on BDG. none of us actually care either, but that picture is freaking hilarious, how can you not give JRiz some crap over that look?
bankerdanny says:
08:32 PM, 04/21/11
OK. Now that I have watched the vid, I would very seriously consider this over a GTI. I really like the shape, 911/TT love child, and I like th interior too.
Maybe in a couple more years when it's time to replace my Jetta I'll take a look.
litewerk says:
10:46 PM, 04/21/11
Gotta say that I, too, like this upcoming model far more than the New Beetle of 1998 to date. And, like bankerdanny says, it has a very definite 911/TT vibe to it while still not looking too drastically different from the car it replaces. My impression is that VDub got it just right. Just seems far more desireable than the previous one.
gloss says:
07:43 AM, 04/22/11
Great looking car. Must say that I like it a lot more without that superfluous spoiler on the rear deck.
albook says:
07:58 PM, 04/22/11
Hahaha leave James alone. The Beetle looks much improved.
speddle says:
06:37 PM, 04/23/11
Oh god, please grow out a goatee. You're dreamy, James.
babycakes1977 says:
04:59 PM, 04/24/11
Is this a Sears outfit? Sheesh...
gbriank says:
11:37 PM, 04/24/11
If he had a stick like mic in one had, I'd swear he looked like a younger Bob Barker from the "Price is Right"...