Motoring corner With Carlover

“The Volkswagen Beetle” And yet another VW Beetle is set to roll off the production line. The first notable change from the new model compared to the existing model is the name. Volkswagen has dropped the ‘New’ out of the existing model’s New Beetle name and is simply calling this one the Volkswagen Beetle. The Volkswagen Beetle is now in its third generation and has been designed as a modern interpretation of the original Beetle that respects the past and looks forward to the future. The Volkswagen Beetle is a front-wheel drive, four-seat hatchback powered by either a 170-hp 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder or a 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic for the 2.5L, and a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG with the 2.0T. Safety features include front and side-impact airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, and daytime running lights. After skipping the 2011 model year, the Beetle is back and completely redesigned from top to bottom. The other main difference is the sharper, lower profile bodywork. The roofline appears to be lower while the higher waistline gives the car a more retro hot rod stance. At the same time, you can see evidence of Volkswagen’s current design language in the front bumper, with the lower hexagonal shape and the sheered-off front and rear wheel arches. As for the pricing for the Volkswagen Beetle ranges from($18,995 - $24,950) Base 2dr Hatchback starts at US$18,995, the 2.5L 2dr Hatchback goes for US$19,795. The 2.0 Turbo T2dr Hatchback is in the range of US$23,395 and the 2.0T Turbo Launch Edition 2dr Hatchback stands at US$23,395. Depending on where you are or ordering from, those prices could fluctuate from time to time! The car is actually 12mm lower overall than the predecessor, topping out at 1486mm. The rest of the car has grown, however, by 152mm in length (now 4278mm), 88mm in width (now 1808mm), as well as the wheelbase which is now 2537mm, stretched from 2515mm. Boot size has also grown from 209 litres to a much more accommodating 310 litres. With the New front-engine, front-wheel drive packages have been altered as well, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged 155TSI making its way into the range-topping model. A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine (the 103TDI) will also make its way into the line-up for some markets, offering 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Volkswagen Beetle will be offered with a range of turbocharged petrol engines. Starting out with the 1.2-litre 77TSI engine with 77kW and 175Nm, to the 1.4-litre 118TSI unit with 118kW and 240Nm, up to the top-spec model fitted with the 155TSI 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with 155kW and 280Nm with either a six-speed manual transmission or the option of a dual-clutch DSG automatic. motoringcorner@live.co.uk

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Motoring corner With Carlover