The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic vehicles that transcended generations and influenced an entire industry throughout the past decades. At 81 years in production, it is the longest-running and most manufactured vehicle of a single platform ever created. It broke records with more than 21.5 million units sold worldwide among its three-generation models. Known as the People’s Car, the bug stood the test of time and will always remain a classic icon. Offered locally is the 21st Century Beetle which was revamped by Volkswagen Philippines as the Beetle Club Edition. It is powered by a 1.4-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve TSI inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a DSG dual-clutch gearbox.
Launch
The first-generation Classic Beetle was initially manufactured in 1938. Following suit in 1998 is the second-generation variation called the New Beetle. The most recent generation was released in 2012, which is known as The 21st Century Beetle. It was launched in the Philippines in 2014.
Exterior
The Volkswagen Beetle retains its simple and economic characteristics, staying true to the hatchback’s personality since its first introduction. It has the same shape that Ferdinand Porsche decided to keep. While there are some modifications to the 21st Century Beetle, they are very subtle, including the shapes of the large HID headlights and taillights.
The grill covers the entire lower half of the hatchback accompanied by the snout-like hood. Its most striking design feature is its wheel arches that are complemented by a sloping roofline. Among the design elements retained are the iconic eggshell shape and the window line. The Beetle Club Edition rides on 16-inch alloy wheels that give a more athletic appearance.
Interior
Stepping into the Volkswagen Beetle is a spacious cabin with generous legroom and headroom, thanks to its longer wheelbase and roofline. Consistent with the German brand’s design philosophy of a straightforward, minimalist interior, controls are easy to reach. Every switch, handle, and knob have the signature Volkswagen solidity.
While most of the cabin is clad in hard plastics, details of elegance come through leather upholstered seats and cowhide trims on the steering wheel and shifter. The driver’s seat of an excellent position equipped with multiple manual adjustability. Rear seats can be folded 50/50 to maximize the cargo space.
Technology & Safety Features
The Volkswagen Beetle comes with the bare necessities in entertainment with a touchscreen system that comes with Mirror Link, USB, Aux, and Bluetooth for connectivity and navigation. Audio comes out of an 8-speaker sound system.
In terms of safety, the German hatchback is equipped with a set of six airbags, Front and Rear parking sensors, Anti-Lock Brakes with Electric Brake Distribution, Hill Hold Assist, and Traction and Stability Control as standard.
Platform & Chassis
The Beetle comes in a three-door configuration with a seating capacity for four passengers.
Front Suspension remains at Independent, MacPherson Strut while the Rear gets Torsion Beam with 4-Link suspension. Brakes come in the form of Vented Disc in front and Disc at the rear.
Engine & Drivetrain
Under the hood of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle is a 1.4-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve TSI inline-4 gasoline engine that produces 158 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a DSG dual-clutch gearbox with both automatic and manual modes.