Myths are almost indestructible? Thirteen years after a first attempt, Volkswagen is launching another reinterpretation of the famous Beetle, this time enrolling in much the neo-retro trend. The success of the Fiat 500 and Mini gave ideas in Wolfsburg, which has for its global aspirations. The car, produced only in Mexico, will end its friendly taste of American consumers (60% of estimated sales), Europe and now China.

“Reinventing the original!”, Insisted the VW marketing team, Walter de ‘Silva, head designer of the group. The result is very close to the Beetle of old. The windshield has been rectified and is closer to the driver. The car, built on the latest Golf platform, is lower than the New Beetle in 1998 (less than 12 mm). But the larger (more than 84 mm) and longer (152 mm). This extension has allowed us to stretch the roof line and push the rear window, giving the most visually proportions in relation to that of the famous original. Coverage has been expanded, and the trunk, weak to the previous edition (209 l), saw its capacity increase of 350 l. Its engines, with the exception of a five-cylinder 2.5 liters of breath reserved to the United States, will be identical, in the French market, that of the Golf Cabriolet (105 to 200 hp).Inside, the dash vertically, accepting a circular speedometer and small windows evoke the atmosphere of the interior of an ancestor, sold at 21, 5 million copies of nearly half-century career. The New Beetle is still more performance-oriented, as evidenced by the huge 19-inch wheels (optional) and a significantly firmer suspension. Who will buy this beetle new look? “Motorists wishing to ride differently,” predicts Volkswagen. The whole question is whether the myth Beetle will have enough force to deflect the act of purchase in its favor. Reply with early sales figures. More “manly” than the 1998 model, according to its creators, could paradoxically attempting a female clientele happy to have a little taste of the male, as he did with a little ’4 × 4. But those who want to stand out from rolling in something other than a Golf also remember that the Scirocco is very elegant yet part of the Volkswagen range.

After installation on board, the driver is a bit ‘more in the vein of the original model in the New Beetle in 1998, where he was oddly placed in the center of the car. Now close the windshield rectangular window, is ready to relive a piece of automotive history, but with materials and technologies of today. As usual at Volkswagen, the group does not lend itself to criticism. The not-foam plastic from the upper part of the dashboard are more reminiscent of the input level to the Golf Polo. Motorists in North America, a region which should absorb most of the volumes will be less likely to offend than its counterpart in Europe.

Source: www.lefigaro.fr