| Amidst the board-room shakeups and in-flux product | | | | Stehrenberger. |
| plans following the quasi-takeover by Porsche, a few | | | | The plan to get rid of the iconic classic shape of the |
| things have nevertheless stayed on course at | | | | Beetle may result to backfiring if performed – it is |
| Volkswagen Central in Wolfsburg, Germany. One such | | | | an understandable move for VW to attempt to |
| project is the replacement for the not so new New | | | | produce a sub-brand using the Beetle name. The |
| Beetle, which is reportedly on track for a 2010 launch, | | | | strategy can be likened to BMW’s venture with its |
| said Mark Stehrenberger of Motor Trend. | | | | Mini lineup. |
| According to the sources, the 2010 VW Beetle will | | | | The Beetle was widely scorned for its odd styling, |
| once again be styled in California and engineered in | | | | rough ride, weak power, and high noise levels. But the |
| Germany. It will be sharing a platform with the | | | | car was ultimately the longest and most produced for |
| next-generation Rabbit and the new Scirocco. The | | | | a solitary design. It remained a hot seller even as |
| next-generation Beetle, on the other hand, is an | | | | rear-wheel drive traditional subcompacts were |
| attempt to deviate from the ‘chick car’ image | | | | improved until ultimately replaced by front-wheel drive |
| attached to it in the previous years. | | | | models. The German automaker intends to preserve |
| To create a more upscale and full modern look and | | | | the hot-selling factor of the car hence the plan of |
| style, a VW pool of designers use sleek and elegant | | | | reviving the same in a more upbeat and upscale |
| body parts mated to enhanced and hi-tech auto | | | | manner. |
| equipment. The next-gen Beetle will be made bigger | | | | In creating the New Beetle, VW did an awesome job |
| than the current model. It will also make better use of | | | | of seizing the essence of the old variant in both form |
| the extra interior space. | | | | and function. Since then, the New Beetle, launched in |
| The upcoming Beetle will be equipped with improved a | | | | 1998, has undergone some minor facelifts but little else, |
| VW window switch, roof, fenders, engines, a radiator, | | | | leaving its interior design and architecture to sour as |
| car accessories, striking design cues, and other | | | | the auto competition leapt ahead with more tidy |
| noteworthy modifications. | | | | executions and enhanced materials. |
| The charming bug-eye aura, rounded contours, and | | | | “In principle, I like the New Beetle save for its interior. |
| spherical roofline are binned in favor of a more | | | | Yes, ergonomically it's comfortable enough but please, |
| aggressive, and more conventional, style with a | | | | less plastic expanses and fewer diminutive audio |
| sportier deportment and coupe-style roof as illustrated | | | | buttons would be start,” said Stehrenberger. |
| in the drawings. The new Beetle is being penned to | | | | “Despite its shortcomings, the quirkiness of the |
| easily adapt for a wide variety of model variants. The | | | | Beetle's living space will endear it to most if not all |
| upcoming Beetle is the reason why the German | | | | owners, as will its fun factor. Buyers seeking |
| automaker has hesitated bringing the Scirocco, an | | | | practicality and efficiency over style and nostalgia will |
| almost identical car, stateside. | | | | likely pass on a Beetle. This front engine, |
| Additionally, a soft-top cabrio will come shortly after | | | | front-wheel-drive version of Germany's famed |
| the hatchback's launch, with a sport wagon with small | | | | folks-wagon is completely modern but it's no Honda Fit |
| rear doors reportedly coming shortly thereafter. Other | | | | when it comes to cargo space and frugality.” But |
| variants on the table include a micro-van, a pickup, and | | | | Beetle aficionados should delight the fact that VW is |
| a sport wagon-based crossover, with hotted-up | | | | making the iconic car much better. |
| versions also part of the product mix, said | | | | |