Volkswagen New Beetle: История и Модификации

Compact car

the Volkswagen New Beetle from 1997–2011

At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro" themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio, the concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo. A red cabriolet concept was featured at the Geneva Motor Show, also in 1994. Production design approval was reached in mid 1995, with a design freeze resulting in 22 months of development time for production. In October 1995, the Volkswagen Concept Two was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, essentially an early preview of the production model due in early 1998. Strong public reaction to the Concept One convinced the company that it should develop a production version which was launched as the New Beetle in 1997 for the 1998 model year, based on the Golf IV's larger PQ34 platform. The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance (including the absence of a car emblem script with the exception of the VW logo). For the 1998 model year, only the TDI compression ignition engine was turbocharged; the spark ignition engines were only naturally aspirated. In June 1999, Volkswagen introduced the 1.8T, which was the first turbocharged spark ignition engine offered for the New Beetle. Volkswagen created a web site dedicated specifically to the 1.8T. A convertible was added for the 2003 model year to replace the Volkswagen Cabrio. However, the New Beetle Convertible was never offered with a compression ignition engine in North America. The third generation Beetle Convertible, the successor to the New Beetle Convertible, was offered with the TDI compression ignition engine in the USA but not in Canada, though, making it possibly the only diesel convertible car offered in North America. The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the original VW Beetle: separate fenders, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps, and large round taillights, as well as a high rounded roofline. It was assembled in VW's Puebla factory in Mexico. In June 2005, Volkswagen announced a facelift of the New Beetle featuring revised bumpers, wheels, lamps, VW emblems, sharper lines and a different interior. In the USA it went on sale for the 2006 model year.

Modelengine code(s)engine typemax power at rpmmax torque at rpmyears Petrol engines1.4BCA I4 DOHC 16V at 5,000 at 3,8002001–1.6AWH I4 SOHC 8V at 5,600 at 3,8001999–20001.6AYD / BFS I4 SOHC 8V at 5,600 at 3,8002006–
20091.8 TAGU I4 DOHC 20V turbo at 5,700 at 1,750 4,6001998–20001.8 TAPH /AVC /AWC /AWU /AWV /BKF I4 DOHC 20V turbo at 5,800 at 2,000 4,2001999–20021.8 TAUQ I4 DOHC 20V turbo2001–20021.8 TAWP I4 DOHC 20V turbo at 5,500 at 1,950 5,0002002–20042.0AEG I4 DOHC 16V at 5,400 at 2,8001998–20032.0APK / AQY I4 SOHC 8V at 5,200 at 2,4001998–20012.0AZJ /BDC /BEJ /BER /BEV /BGD /BHP I4 SOHC 8V at 5,200 at 3,2002001–20032.3 V5AQN VR5 DOHC 20V at 6,200 at 3,3002000–20052.5BGP I5 DOHC 20V2006–2.5BPR /BPS I5 DOHC 20V at 5,000 at 3,7502006–3.2 RSIAXJ VR6 DOHC 24V2000–2003 Diesel engines1.9 TDIAGR / ALH I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Injection pump) at 4,000 at 1,9001998–20041.9 TDIATD /AXR /BEW I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Pumpe Düse) at 4,000 at 1,800 24002000–20051.9 TDIBJB / BKC / BXE / BLS I4 SOHC 8V turbo at 4,000 at 1,8002003–1.9 TDIBSW I4 SOHC 8V turbo (Pumpe Düse) at 4,000 at 1,800 2,2002005–2006

The New Beetle achieved five stars in the 2011 Euro NCAP tests compared to four stars in the 2000 Euro NCAP tests scoring 25 points (33 to reach five stars). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the New Beetle a Good overall score in their frontal crash test. 2004 models come standard with side airbags; however, the IIHS rated the Beetle Poor in their side impact test.

Engine choices include the 2.0 L inline four for the base model, the 1.9 L TDI turbodiesel inline four (discontinued after the 2006 model year due to more stringent emissions requirements), and the 1.8 L turbo inline four for the Turbo and Sport models. The Turbo S model (sold 2002–2004) included the 1.8 L turbo but with It also included a sport suspension, six speed manual transmission, aluminum interior trim, revised front/rear fascias, and bigger wheels and tires. A close relative of the Turbo S was the 2002–2004 Color Concept. This limited edition variant was available in limited exterior colors, with interior door panel inserts, seat inserts, floor mat piping, and wheel opening inserts color matched to the exterior paint. Wheel color inserts, diameter, and style varied with model year. It came standard with the 1.8 turbo gasoline engine, 5 speed manual gearbox, speed activated rear spoiler, power windows/sunroof/door locks, heated leather seats, and fog lamps. All 1.8L Turbo and Turbo S inline four models were equipped with a retractable rear spoiler which was not available on the 1.9 L TDI inline 4, 2.0 L inline four and 2.5 L inline five models. For the 2006 model, the exterior was slightly redesigned with more angular bumpers and wheel wells, and these models were fitted with the 2.5 L 5 cylinder engine with which was also fitted on the Rabbit and Jetta, later becoming the sole engine option. The New Beetle would not be given the upgraded 2.5 L engine (engine code CBTA/CBUA) that 2008 and later Jettas and Rabbits received.

At the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster concept car was introduced. It was supposed to be a preview of the future design of the New Beetle. The base of the Ragster (the name denoting a cross between a "ragtop" and a speedster) was a New Beetle Convertible modified with a new roof, giving it a much lower roofline, and a unique paint job with silver double stripes. The interior differs from the original New Beetle, being a 2+2, and having distinctive control dials. The Ragster's rear view mirror is mounted on its dashboard, a retro feature, reminiscent of the first Type 1s.

The anniversary edition was released in 2008 for the Mexican and Australian markets, and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the New Beetle. Based on the Beetle Miami, the car featured the exclusive body colour of "Campanella white", with a black roof and door mirrors, and featured a '10' logo stripe on the side. The interior was also modified, featuring black and white leather seats with a '10' logo on the headrest and in the footwells, with a decoration showing the production number of the Beetle. The car had a 1.6 litre petrol engine. 310 New Beetle Anniversary Edition's were produced.

The Blush is a limited New Beetle convertible with a special "white gold" exterior paint and "Bordeaux red" convertible top, with burgundy leather seats matching the convertible top color. Neither the white gold exterior nor interior colors were available on other 2009 New Beetle convertibles. 1500 New Beetle Blush convertibles were produced.

Announced at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Final Edition New Beetle featured Aquarius Blue paintwork, with the hardtop receiving a black painted roof and the convertible sporting Campanella White painted side panels. In addition to unique 17 inch wheels, both models were powered by a 2.5 liter engine mated to an automatic "Tiptronic" transmission. Other additions included sports suspension and "Final Edition" badging inside and out. Both models arrived with integrated fog lights and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard. The "Final Edition" marked the end of production of the New Beetle. It was succeeded in 2011 by the Beetle (A5).

In 2010, Volkswagen Australia offered a final limited edition variant named as BlackOrange Edition. Two color combinations were available: Black gloss exterior with silver mirrors, silver alloy wheels and silver decals for the lower flanks of the body, or Red Rock metallic exterior with black roof/mirrors, black alloy wheels and black decals for the lower flanks. All BlackOrange Editions came with 17 inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, leatherette seat upholstery, cruise control, front fog lights, tinted rear side/rear windows, aluminium pedals and leather bound steering wheel/gear knob.

The Volkswagen New Beetle was Motor Trends "Import Car of the Year" for 1999.