Volkswagen may have inadvertently confirmed the end of the Beetle’s production run after a leaked VIN document revealed that its 2019 model lineup of the Bug will feature a “Final Edition” model. According to the document, Volkswagen will offer the 2019 Beetle in four different trim levels. While that itself isn’t interesting, two of the four trim levels are the Final Edition SE and the Final Edition SEL. The other two trim levels — S and SE — likely represent the lower-range versions of the 2019 Beetle.

Unless Volkswagen is pulling a huge ruse over our eyes, I guess that’s really it for the current version of the Volkswagen Beetle as we know it. Remember, back in 2010, the German automaker released a Final Edition for the New Beetle, marking the end of production of the first-generation, water-cooled Beetle. Eventually, the next-generation model arrived, and a lot of us forgot that there was a previous Final Edition in the first place.

This one, unfortunately, carries a more ominous context to it. Volkswagen has hinted in the past that the current-generation Beetle will be the last we see of the iconic model in the foreseeable future. Given those whispers, it's likely that this Final Edition will be different from the last one from 2010. The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition could literally be the last Final Edition model we see of VW’s most legendary model.

The document doesn’t reveal what Volkswagen’s plans are for the Final Edition Beetle. We know that it’ll come in two trim levels, but that’s about it. That said, don’t expect a world of difference compared to the standard models. Expect some indicators, too, in the form of special badging on the exterior and in the interior of the car. Other than that, it’s hard to imagine the Beetle Final Edition carrying anything significantly different. Even the car’s engine — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that produces 174 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque — should be the same across the entire range.

The Beetle Final Edition will also be limited to a low number. Volkswagen built only 3,000 units of the New Beetle Final Edition back in 2010. That’s 1,500 models each for the hardtop and the convertible. Expect a similar volume with the 2019 Beetle Final Edition.

Sales of the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition will start next year so a debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November could be in the cards.

Further reading

Check out what we said about the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle in our full review.

Read up on the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Carbriolet

Read more Volkswagen news.