BRAND NEW VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE UNVEILED

The new Volkswagen is out in the public domain’s eyes, just days before the public can get to touch and feel it at Shanghai Auto 2011. This gives us hope that you will also get to do the same at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) this October. Otherwise wait for it next year when it lands in South Africa.

Soon after the original Volkswagen began production 73 years ago, the nickname “Beetle” took root and was later adopted as the car’s official name. The new one was designed by a team led by Marc Lichte (who designed the Golf 5), under the supervision of VW Group Design Chief Walter da Silva and Klaus Bischoff, who’s heading up VW brand design.

At 4.2 metres in length the Beetle is notably longer than the MINI Cooper, DS3 and the Audi A1. It also has a much larger boot than the previous car. But at the same time the height has been reduced to give the car a more coupe-like profile similar to the Beetle dragsters of the mid 2000s. At launch, depending on the country, it will be offered in Beetle, Design or Sport trim, each with its unique characteristics such as sat nav, panoramic sunroof and LED daytime running lights.

Beetle will have a wide spread of VW Group engines to choose from, such as the 1.2 TSI (77kW), 1.4 TSI (118kW) and the 147kW 2.0-litre TSI. Some markets will also feature a TDI.