Orders for the all new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle are now being accepted on a new online Vehicle Pre-Order (VPO) system, and Volkswagen of America is hoping to get more people to place their orders with a new vehicle to sweeten the pot. The "Black Turbo Launch Edition" is being offered to the first 600 people who place their orders online. Each model will be sold for $24,950 (quite an increase over the base $18,995).
As its name suggests, the Black Turbo Limited Edition will be offered in an exclusive black pearl paint and a new spoiler. This exterior will be combined with 18-inch alloy wheels and large brakes with red calipers. For the interior, the Black Turbo will get Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, three-color ambient lighting, sport cloth seats, and an 8-speaker audio system.
Under the hood, this special edition will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 200 HP and 207 lb-ft. of torque. It will be mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
If you are interested in the Black Turbo Limited Edition, you can place an order right here.
The new generation Volkswagen Beetle made its debut this April at the New York Auto Show and a cabrio version it is expected to be unveiled at the end of 2012. However, long before a first image of the car has surface on the internet. You will easily notice a design language similar to the coupe version, while, compared to the previous generation the fabric roof folds into the back into a much discreet way.
Also, like with the coupe version, the convertible will feature a new design line from the front bumper and front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges and new bi-xenon headlights. Under the hood the cabrio will carry the same engines as the coupe: one diesel and two petrol with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. The engine will be mated with either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG.
Updated 01/30/2012: Today we have a new rendering for you for the upcoming Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio. Enjoy!
In the high-octane, torque-twisting world of the drag strip, a paradigm shift is slowly taking shape with the most unlikely of cars leading the way. Unassuming look aside, the “Black Current” Volkswagen Beetle EV by Oliver Young is an electric vehicle that has done some serious damage on the drag strip becoming the first street-bodied EV to post a nine-second, quarter-mile time. That time looks more impressive when you take into account the fact that this little Beetle once destroyed a Tesla Roadster on a drag strip.
While it’s not the fastest quarter-mile time ever posted by an EV – that title belongs to the Current Eliminator, which covered the same distance in seven seconds at 160 mph – the Black Current does hold the record for being the fastest ‘street-bodied’ EV in the world - at least until proven otherwise.
For now, though, Oliver Young can stake claim to this tremendous achievement and on a grander scale, he and his ‘Black Current’ Beetle EV are giving EVs the proper exposure in the world of drag racing, something that was unheard of as late as a decade ago.
More details on the Volkswagen Beetle EV “Black Current” after the jump
The world heard the Beetle name for the first time back in 1938 and with 73 long and impressive years tucked away nicely under their belts, Volkswagen has never really strayed away from their original design. The appeal for the Beetle never really faltered because it was, in fact, a unique design, but Volkswagen has made the decision to reignite the passion for the Beetle with efficient engines and innovative features combined to obtain a ‘modern classic’ in the 2012 Beetle. The vehicle will make its first appearance in China, at the Shanghai Motor Show, and then it will be brought to the 2011 New York Auto Show. Sales on the North American market will begin this autumn, while Europe sales will start in early 2012.
The new Beetle shares its platform with the new Volkswagen Jetta and will be 1,808 mm wide (84 mm wider), 1,486 mm tall (12 mm lower), and 4,278 mm long (152 mm longer). Thanks to the new proportions, the roof is extended further, the front windscreen shifted back, and the rear section follows the contour of the original Beetle.
US customers will have the possibility to choose from three trim levels - "Beetle", "Design," and "Sport" - and three engines - one diesel and two petrol.
UPDATE 07/13/2011: Jay Leno was able to park the new generation in his garage long enough to take a spin in it and compare it to the first generation Beetle. Leno thinks the 2012 model is a direct reference to the very first Beetle. Check out his review after the jump and let us know what you think.
UPDATE 09/01/11: Volkswagen has released the official online configurator for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. Understandably, there’s a reason why the Beetle is one of the most popular cars in history. So with the New Beetle scheduled to hit dealerships in the spring of next year, you better start getting your creative juices working before you start making some orders.
There’s a certain sense of artistic symbolism to this commercial that makes it one of our favorite ads that is set to be shown at the Super Bowl later today.
Created by Volkswagen for this special day, the commercial takes us into the life of a wandering beetle in the forest that’s seemingly determined to race past all of the other insects like his life depended on it. It sort of reminds us of that movie ’A Bug’s Life’ except that instead of Flik the Ant, we’re treated to a beetle that always seems to be in a hurry, even demonstrating a few drift maneuvers while racing past other insects in the jungle.
If you’re not the type to get queasy in seeing the mugs of bugs up close, then you’ll definitely enjoy this commercial. Obviously, there’s only one car in Volkswagen’s line-up that can be associated with this ad and we don’t need to remind you what it is.
All you need to do is look at the main character of the commercial and it’s physical characteristics and it becomes as obvious as the name associated with it.
And if you still haven’t figured out that this commercial is for the 2012 Beetle, then the sick ending of the insect fading into the silhouette of the new Beetle is as mind-numbingly obvious as it can get.
