New 2012 Beetle is official

Remember the racing bug Super Bowl commercial? It teased the new 2012 Beetle. Today VW took the wraps off the new Beetle. The third generation of the Beetle is celebrating a transcontinental world debut simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York today. Placing the original Beetle and the 21st Century Beetle next to one another, it's clear that the lines of the rear sections are nearly identical, but the overall look is bolder and more dynamic. The Beetle also breaks free of the design geometry defined by three semi-circles (front wing, rear wing, domed roof above it).

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"The Beetle is now characterized by a clean, self-confident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it is also substantially wider, the front hood is longer, the front windshield is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. All of this creates a new dynamism," explains Klaus Bischoff.

The 2012 Beetle is 71.2 inches wide (3.3 inches wider), 58.5 inches tall (.5 inches lower) and 168.4 inches long (6 inches longer). The new focal point is the C-pillar. The development team also increased the car's track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension.

Another feature is the rear spoiler that is integrated into the design (standard on 2.0L TSI engines with 200 hp). The top surface of the rear spoiler is black, while the underside is painted in body color.

The Beetle is sportier, offering both turbo-charged TDI Clean Diesel and turbo-charged gasoline engines, in addition to dual exhaust, performance-handling packages, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and new, sleeker styling. Volkswagen will offer a panoramic roof, a range of audio options, including the Fender Premium Audio System, and a customization program for the 2012 Beetle with a large number of personalization options, including a wide variety of colors and wraps along with an annual theme model.

The new 2012 Beetle will launch in September/October in the United States and October/November in Europe. The original Beetle (1949-1979) sold almost 5 million units in the United States. The new Beetle (1998-2010) sold almost 500,000 in the States. For me the whole retro trend in cars is getting old. Are you excited about the new 2012 Beetle?

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