The new 21st Century Beetle was unveiled yesterday. What do you think of it?

I think it's a HUGE step in the right direction. I would never drive the old beetle, but this is far more appealing.

I like it. The flower vase is no longer an option and the styling has changed to try to snag straight males

When I drive my mother in laws 2004 beetle, my kids call me gay daddy. Still, it's better on gas than my hemi durango.

Looks like an Audi tt with more headroom in back. Now if they'd just put the engine from the tt-rs in there...still doesn't make my want list, but definitely a step in the right direction for everyone who isn't a 16 yr old girl (no offense).

i think it is a dtep in the right direction also but still wouldn't buy one.

or can I afford one...maybe when its 35 years old and I can snag it for $2200.

From the belt line down and interior I really like it!

From the belt line (base of windows) up I definitely do NOT!
... IMHO that makes it look like a squashed Bug & not a sleek auto!
It reminds me of the huge bulky late 40's Chevy/Pontiac/Olds/Caddy "fastback" hulks.

BTW - beware of "girlie car" quips, cuz our 914s were also labeled as girlie Porsches (or NARPs by some)! However, they didn't realize that is was called that because it attracted girls/babes - not cuz they wanted to drive it!
That center cushion also came in handy when you couldn't separate the "Wing Gal" from your real target!

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There ya go Mark, now you have 914 content here!

I'd rather own

it looks more Porsche 911 to me? Still better than before!

Fender on the nav display?

I think new version is an improvement over the last incarnation. I thought the last one was just bad retro. Maybe I’m just becoming an olde man, but I still don’t care for it though. I’d rather have an original Beetle. But then again there probably is a reason I am driving a 914 instead of a Boxster.

10 years should do the trick.

Yeah, they have been touting a Fender sound system in some of the ads.

Maybe you get a Twin Reverb in the back seat and a Bassman for a sub.

Just looked at the photo again and I see the Fender script on the small A-pillar speakers too.

I like it better than the previous incarnation. I would consider it if I could get it with a 6-speed TDI and in my choice of colors (still a sore spot when I considered a Rabbit which came only in black, white, and grey, which I don't really consider to be colors.)

Ummm... yeah, Fender's really known for their "audio prowess"

I could get caught driving one of those.
Much better lines.

They also said they will eventually offer a 2.0L turbo Diesel.
I would do that ;-)

Stu

They had a short lived runaway hit with the 1998 "new" beetle, as they were on the upside of the retro restyle trend. But after the "mania" wore off, everyone figured out they were not great cars, and shared little in principle of what the original was supposed to be about.

Now it appears they are moving it even further upscale but I can't figure out the market they are trying to appeal to?

I have a good friend that has a Boxster, a C6 Corvette convertable, and his late wife's Beetle cabrio.

He is a good looking guy in his late 50s, and gets more interest from ladies when he runs errands in the Beetle! I guess people figure that he's not a middle aged guy that's having his middle-aged crazy period when he drives the VW.

It's kind of similar with the 914, you don't get people looking at you as a gold-chained PORSCHE driver! I'll take friendly waves any day over the alternatives.

The new Beetle kind of reminds me of what Scion did when it restyled the xB - they lost the original 'funkiness' that made it fun!

what is the MSRP on the black one with all the options?
Compare that to what you can get in another car....that will be the real test...

Rich

Volkswagon has been bringing down the Price of it's cars to be more in line with Toyota & Honda ( they have finally realized what market they are in) so it will be interesting to see how they price this car.

Me in an AW SpyShot

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Schummi & Me on the same page

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Until the beetle is RWD with an engine in the back I'm out. I do like the rims though. Reminds me of the old school BRM's I know and love.

It is better, but it looks like its trying too hard.

I like the looks but it still has the drive wheels and the engine in the wrong place. I HATE front wheel drive. I want the throttle to help me turn, not fight me. FWD is a stupid idea. Might as well have skate wheels in the back. Or just 1 wheel back there. Or just let the back drag on the ground and throw sparks. Just think of all the money you could save on tires that way.
Oh man, I crack myself up.

But the new R pails in comparison to the R32 of a few years ago

I like it better. But I wouldn't buy one. Rather have a GTI. And way better lookin too. Actually I wish they'd import the Scirocco. I'd almost certainly buy one.

Don't know whhat you are so excited over. Looks a lot like an old Beetle with a chopped top.

Heck, S&L racing Cocoa Beach ran a chop top on their autocross car back in the early 70's. Got 3rd in the SE nationals.

Looked a lot like this except theirs was primer grey.