Modern Beetle For 2010

Anthony Fontanelle
August 9, 2007

The Volkswagen Beetle can be considered as one of the most famous cars in the world. Millions of this car has been sold around the world in the past. Even today, car enthusiasts are still addicted to restoring old Beetles. Although it does not have the amenities of modern cars, the Beetle of old has a charm that few vehicles can match. But time has passed and the Beetle became the New Beetle. The modern version of the classic car is based on the latter.

The compact was first released by Volkswagen for the 1998 model year. It uses the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf but in design, it looks similar to the original model although the New Beetle looks very modern compared to its predecessor. In terms of consumer acceptance, it failed to achieve the worldwide acceptance that its predecessor has claimed in the past. Although it has received good acceptance in some market, it is yet to become famous around the world.

Although the New Beetle is designed based on the Classic Beetle as far as exterior design is concerned, it differs in the placement of the engine. In the vintage Beetle, the engine is placed at the back of the car. In contrast, the New Beetle uses the design of modern cars where the engine is located in front of the car.

To give the New Beetle a stronger foothold in its aim to become popular in the global market and to cope up with the changing times, Volkswagen decided to make the New Beetle more modern for its redesign for the 2010 model year. The plan to reveal a new New Beetle for the 2010 model year is reported to be still on track in spite of the Porsche takeover of the largest European automaker.

According to reports, the new New Beetle will be using a platform that it will share with the new generation Volkswagen Rabbit. Similar to the current New Beetle, the new New Beetle will be designed in California and engineered in Germany. Production is also expected to continue in Mexico. But that is where the similarity between the two New Beetles ends.

The new New Beetle will be moving away from the iconic design of the Classic Beetle. This means that it will no longer sport that arched roof. Instead, designers are looking to make the 2010 New Beetle look more like a coupe than the original Beetle. This move on the part of Volkswagen is part of their drive to make the Beetle as modern as possible. The change in the shape of the automobile though can mean that they will be losing their original buyer base and would maybe start attracting a new generation of Beetle aficionados.

Aside from having a coupe-like design, the 2010 New Beetle is also reported to be designed bigger than the current New Beetle. This means that it will have more interior space - something that tall people have found to be lacking on the current model of the Beetle. The upcoming version of the New Beetle will have a sportier stance since it will be made larger and more coupe-like. But it is can be expected that the new aftermarket parts for the redesigned Beetle like the Volkswagen Beetle bug deflector will also be redesigned to fit the new model.

The reaction of the buying public is still to be gauged since a prototype of the new New Beetle is yet to be manufactured. But it can be expected that in the near future, Volkswagen will be unveiling the 2010 New Beetle in a motor show.

Source:  Amazines.com