Has anybody looked at the images of the 2012 Beetle that debuted this morning?

I'm disappointed in it. It's both too similar to the outgoing model and too bulbous (those huge fender flares completely don't do it for me). It looks pretty nice from directly behind, but other angles to me are extremely awkward-looking.

Even though it doesn't really compete directly with the MINI and the Fiat 500, I thought they might be inspired by the mojo from those smaller cars to come up with something with a bit more character. The funny thing is that if you described the direction they wanted to take it in words I would have thought it was a great idea: not so slavishly geometric, inspired more by the (superior) profile of the original, not trying so hard to be cute. But, no.

The interior is a big step up in terms of materials from the outgoing model, but to me is completely devoid of personality. Their interiors between the Jetta, GTI and Beetle now seem completely interchangeable at a glance.

I hear Oprah likes it, though.

 

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...YORK/110419872

 

Looks like they tried to go back in time with it, while keeping some modern style. I like it more then the 2nd generation beetle, but its still not a car I'd drive.

 

Love it!

The countryman is on my list of new cars for this/next year but the beetle just made the list. I wonder if I can deal with an infant and only two doors???

 

You know, I clicked the link expecting to hate it, but I think it is a huge improvement. It looks kind of cool. The back end reminds me of a Porsche. Still don't like the "smirk" on the front end though, I prefer the look of a grill I suppose.

 

I think it looks great; and I was never a Beetle fan prior.

I can see the aftermarket going crazy with it.

 

I like it! I love those red seats..very retro. But, the front end is kind of like a snarky shark.

Looks way better than the Fiat 500.

 

Looks like they lengthened it and reduced the height somewhat. I think it is an improvement over the previous generation but it isn't for me.

 

I can't say I hate it either. They definitely got back to the "beetle" roots, in that they made the car look more like an actual bug, especially from the back. The inside looks much nicer as well. I read an article prior to the car being revealed, I read in an article that Volkswagen was trying to make the 2012 Beetle more "masculine", IMO, they still failed in this aspect, and I can't see too many men driving around this car.

 

I have to respectfully disagree here. I think the new design is much more masculine than the old. The flat roofline and rear of the car especially, along with the interior. Although I do think the front end is still a bit cute. They maybe could have done something else with the headlights or something to make it a bit meaner. But the majority of comments from guys so far, all over the interwebs has been, "now that's a beetle I would drive".

 

I had the same reaction. The profile view looks like the 2nd Gen Beetle starting to morph into a 911. The exterior design is way better, IMHO. The blending of the big wheels with the fender openings is sharp. I could do without the headlamp LEDs but thanks to Audi they're becoming less unexpected and a bit more acceptable. Lose the big VW badge on the bonnet and I could easily see myself behind the wheel of this car -- especially the red one.

Can't say the same for the interior. The center stack, with its squared off lines and rectangular louvered vents, looks like something out of a old Chevy. The gauge panel up on the dash top seems a bit contrived and forced (but hey, maybe they're real gauges -- something the MINI lacks). It all appears a bit cheaply made and not befitting of the improvements outside.

 

I definitely think it's more masculine looking than the older generations-my comment and opinion stemmed from as you noted as well, the front of the car. I love the way the back looks, but the front still is kind of "cute-sy". But then again, so is the front of the MINI's.

 

To me the interior is reminiscent of the old beetle.



If they follow the standards they set with the GTI which is well known for having the highest quality interior in it's class, the 21st Century Beetle should do well.
That is the only problem i had with my '04 MCS... I missed the fit/finish/materials of my Audi interior. Of course the MCS won on fun styling.

The gauges could have probably been integrated better but maybe they were going for that add-on look? At least it saves people the trouble and you don't have to have those a-pillar pods. And thankfully they put them in a much better place than the new camaro.

 

Our club VP liked it so much he said "I would like to see that on fire and going over a cliff please", so ...

 

I kinda like it, too.

 

I'd like to see a photo of the new beetle parked next to the last generation beetle. They look a lot alike to me.

Dave

 

Funny you should mention the Beetle in a MINI forum... Because it looks like that's exactly what VW's gunning for. They just released prices today.

Volkswagen gives price points for 2012 Beetle, targets Mini

And here's some photos some commenters posted on Jalopnik yesterday...

 

All those photos do for me is remind me how great the original looked.

A day of the new design and the first word that still comes to mind is "hulking". It's hard for me to imagine this is going to compete with the MINI -- maybe with the Clubman or the Countryman even -- but the hardtop?

That interior (red and white, posted above) of the original Beetle is so much cooler than the 2012 interior, which is just a generic VW interior as far as I can see. I guess the new interior with the red dash option is getting there, but that original looks actually a lot more like the interior of the new Fiat 500 IMO.

 

Can't sit in the back of the old one("New Beetle") with out leaning forward. I can't imagine the head room now in the squashed one. Just dump the Beetle and bring on the Scirocco.

 

Too bad it won't have the trailer option!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0

 

I actually think it looks better than the previous generation, and though the interior is now more VW generic than before, it looks better!

 

http://www.firstsupercars.com/porsch...ug-the-bugster

 

Love it, huge improvement over the NB, sheds that feminine look that the NB had, great engine and tranny offerings, has a classic look, while keeping with the current traditions. I do think they could have done a better job on the interior, but love the gauges, and seats.

I prefer it over the the MKVI GTI, if they offered an R version I would consider it down the road to replace my allroad, even if not it may be a possibility.

 

R version of Golf and Beetle is confirmed for N. America.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/r...irmed-for-u-s/