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So much for Herbie: 2010 Volkswagen Beetle going full modern


Art By Mark Stehrenberger


Amidst the board-room shakeups and in-flux product plans following the quasi-takeover by Porsche, a few things have nevertheless stayed on course at Volkswagen Central in Wolfsburg, Germany. One such project is the replacement for the not so new New Beetle, which is reportedly on track for a 2010 launch.

Set to share a platform with the next-generation Rabbit and upcoming Scirocco, the 2010 Beetle will once again be styled in California and engineered in Germany, according to our sources. That, however, is where the similarities will end. Despite its overall success as a revival of the iconic original design, Volkswagen is looking to move away from the "chick car" image of the New Beetle.

Designers have reportedly been ordered to create a more modern and sleek style for the next-gen Beetle that will be bigger than the outgoing model and make better use of available interior space.

The cutesy bug-eye look, rounded shape, and bulbous roofline are binned in favor of a more aggressive -- and more traditional -- style with a sportier stance and coupe-style roof as depicted in the drawings.

The new car is being designed so it can be easily adapted for a wide variety of model variants. The potential Beetle plan may also explain why VW has hesitated bringing the Scirocco -- a vehicle that would be similar in scope -- stateside.

A soft-top cabrio will come shortly after the hatchback's launch, with a sport wagon with small rear doors reportedly coming shortly thereafter. Other variants on the table include a micro-van, a pickup, and a sport wagon-based crossover -- with hotted-up versions also part of the product mix.

While plan to move away from the classic Beetle shape may end up backfiring if carried out, it's an understandable move for Volkswagen to attempt to create a sub-brand using the Beetle name -- much like what BMW is attempting with its Mini lineup.http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/112_0707_2010_volkswagen_new_beetle/

Why they try to push a "Beetle" upmarket is beyond me. Beyond me. This car should start at 12k and be 16k loaded.

If they go upmarket, then bring us the Polo or a entry level Beetle.

If they had a Beetle, bare bones, starting at 10-12k, it would sell like nuts

Interesting.

Looks sorta Solara-ish...

Will be neat to see the final product.

Why they try to push a "Beetle" upmarket is beyond me. Beyond me. This car should start at 12k and be 16k loaded.

If they go upmarket, then bring us the Polo or a entry level Beetle.

If they had a Beetle, bare bones, starting at 10-12k, it would sell like nuts

+1

Beetles should be a people's car

the biggest fault of VW is trying to upscale everything they have over the competition
works well in europe but not here in north america

:agree: The beetle is supposed to be the people's car

I see a bit of C30 in there.

Well, I won't be buying one either way but I do have to say I'm kinda shocked how long the new Beetle has gone without a major redesign... it came out in 98 and unless I missed something, it has gone with the same basic chassis, interior, exterior, and so on for a decade now, and sounds like it still has at least another 2 more years to go.

12 years is unheard of in this day and age for a model to go without being reworked in a major way...

Why they try to push a "Beetle" upmarket is beyond me. Beyond me. This car should start at 12k and be 16k loaded.

If they go upmarket, then bring us the Polo or a entry level Beetle.

If they had a Beetle, bare bones, starting at 10-12k, it would sell like nuts

+1

Beetles should be a people's car

the biggest fault of VW is trying to upscale everything they have over the competition
works well in europe but not here in north america

:agree: The beetle is supposed to be the people's car


^^^Agreed.

VW is hurting right now and they continue making these mistakes. "Volkswagan" literally means "people's car" and they keep pushing over priced products at us. Even the current Beetle often stickers around $20K+. Please. VW Beetles should compete with Yaris, Fit, Versa, ect... for under $14K. Now they want to make it even more expensive. :egads:

And I'm not to excited by those intitial renderings.


Well, I won't be buying one either way but I do have to say I'm kinda shocked how long the new Beetle has gone without a major redesign... it came out in 98 and unless I missed something, it has gone with the same basic chassis, interior, exterior, and so on for a decade now, and sounds like it still has at least another 2 more years to go.

12 years is unheard of in this day and age for a model to go without being reworked in a major way...

Yeah, even high end sports cars known for long production runs don't go that long. It's pathetic.

So when are they gonna make the Jetta a car for more than just girls.

Do the three variants each count as a VeeDub for under seventeen thousand? Will they have to change the ad campaign?

VW's version of the upcoming Audi A1. More fun cars for the summer. I like the first rendering:thumbup:

Do the three variants each count as a VeeDub for under seventeen thousand? Will they have to change the ad campaign?

Even the current Beetle often stickers around $20K+.
I don't think most people see the new Beetle as a economical car. Most people that buy them don't buy for price, but for style. Also, the varients that are priced that high come with leather, turbocharged motors, monsoon stereos, and several other upmarket features... upmarket-equipped compact cars is a market that obviously exists. Some people just want all of the options for as little as possible... so that's who that market appeals to.

VW Beetles should compete with Yaris, Fit, Versa, ect... for under $14K. Now they want to make it even more expensive. :egads:
I disagree. I think the Beetle, based on what I said above about it being purchased for style more than price, needs to stay on the high side of the low end of the market. The Rabbit if anything should be the alternative to the Yaris and such, though they currently have it positioned as more of a Civic competitor than anything.

Ya know what I'd like to see from them? Something even smaller and cheaper than the rabbit but with their smallest diesel variant and offered for about 13-14k. Consider it an upmarket but even more fuel efficient competitor to the Yaris and Fit.

Which new car costs 12k in todays market? :uh:

I don't think most people see the new Beetle as a economical car. Most people that buy them don't buy for price, but for style. Also, the varients that are priced that high come with leather, turbocharged motors, monsoon stereos, and several other upmarket features... upmarket-equipped compact cars is a market that obviously exists. Some people just want all of the options for as little as possible... so that's who that market appeals to.


I disagree. I think the Beetle, based on what I said above about it being purchased for style more than price, needs to stay on the high side of the low end of the market. The Rabbit if anything should be the alternative to the Yaris and such, though they currently have it positioned as more of a Civic competitor than anything.


I understand what your saying.

But I still think the Beetle should at least START low (around $14K). And then have available features if people want them. Even the Yaris S loaded tops out over 17K. So there is that option.

If you look at the Beetle's glory days, it was cheap, basic transportation that most people could afford. It helped make it the best selling car in history until the Corolla took that title away in the late '90's. Now, VW isn't selling many at all. I think VW needs to bring the Beetle's original philosophy back even if it is stylistically changed.

Which new car costs 12k in todays market? :uh:

Accent, Yaris, Aveo, Rio, Versa, & Ion all start under $12,500.

Actually, Accent and Rio start under $10,500!!

I could name several more under $13K.

Doesn't look much like a beetle anymore.:(

Might as well drop the beetle name and let it rest in peace. Changing the shape will be total backlash.