Press Information THE BEETLE Introduction background 2 summary 3 production 5 Design objectives and exterior 6 interior 7 climate control 8 Engines 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS 9 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS 9 2.0-litre TDI 110 PS 10 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS 10 BlueMotion Technology 10 gearboxes 11 servicing 12 Running gear front and rear axle 13 electro-mechanical power steering 13 braking system, inc. ESP, HBA and XDS 13 hill hold function 13 Equipment highlights Beetle 14 Design and R-Line 15 Dune 16 Factory-fit options keyless entry 19 and technical highlights light and sight pack 19 bi-xenon headlights 20 parking sensors 20 Fender premium soundpack 20 telephone preparation 20 satellite navigation systems 20 Safety and security features 21 Euro NCAP test results 21 line-up with insurance groups 22 Warranties information 23 History original Beetle, 1938-2003 24 New Beetle, 1991-2011 27 Beetle, 2011- current 29 After hours telephone: Volkswagen Press and Public Relations Telephone 01908 601187 Mike Orford 07467 442062 Volkswagen (UK) www.vwpress.co.uk Scott Fisher 07554 773869 Yeomans Drive James Bolton 07889 292821 Blakelands Nicki Divey 07802 248310 Milton Keynes MK14 5AN Press Information THE BEETLE Volkswagen unveiled the latest generation Beetle in Shanghai on the eve of the city’s motor show in April 2011, marking a new era in this iconic car’s history. When the original was launched in 1938, it was known simply as ‘the Volkswagen’, quickly acquiring a raft of nicknames from across the world. Whatever the name, its popularity is not in question, with 21.5 million sold over 73 years. In the latest generation, efficient engines and innovative features combine with heritage to make a modern classic. The design moves away from that of the New Beetle of 1998 and instead draws on cues from the original and Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. As such it’s longer, wider and lower, giving a more masculine and dynamic appearance. The Beetle Dune, a distinct crossover model, joined the Beetle Coupe and the Beetle Cabriolet in early 2016. This stylish addition to the Beetle range is available as a coupe or a cabriolet, and it trades on the famous ‘Baja Bugs’ that are vividly associated with west coast America. Indeed, styling inside and out helps the Beetle Dune stand out from the crowd. Its adventurous character is emphasised by a large silver-framed central air inlet and a black honeycomb grille. In profile, the black wheel well and body extensions contrast with the eye-catching paint colours. In addition, black side trim strips – stylised ‘Beetle running boards’ – and ‘Dune’ badging underscore the dynamic image of the Dune. At the rear, a large spoiler and new LED lights create a futuristic look. Just a couple of months after the introduction of the Dune, the complete Beetle range received a facelift. The more aggressive front end was joined by revised interior styling. The Volkswagen Beetle’s distinctive cabin was given brighter instrument panel lighting, new dials and dash styling. New upholstery materials brought further styling options. At the same time, the range was refreshed with the introduction of the Beetle R-Line. The Beetle R-Line is distinct from the rest of the range in that it has a body-coloured rear diffuser and chromed twin exhausts. And the R-Line’s exterior styling includes gloss black door mirrors and door protectors, not to mention a rear tailgate spoiler. The Beetle measures 4,278 mm in length (+152 mm compared to the previous generation New Beetle), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm). The track width front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, are also increased. Overseen by Walter de Silva (Volkswagen Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand), with Marc Lichte the team leader for exterior design, the car’s new proportions mean the roof extends back further, the windscreen is shifted back and the rear section is now more akin to that of the original Beetle. The boot capacity is a practical 310 litres, up from 209 litres in the 1998 model. The Beetle has four seats, with a split-fold rear seat for added versatility. Inside the cabin, the Beetle’s designers created a modern, practical and distinctive appearance with easy to identify and ergonomic controls. Certain features, such as the glovebox and colour accent panels (on Design models) hark back to the original. Three ‘standard’ trim levels are available – Beetle, Design and R-Line – and each is endowed with its own individual character and features. A wide range of innovative optional equipment is also available, ranging from keyless entry through satellite navigation systems to Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. …/more - 2 - Press Information The ‘Fender’ premium soundpack is an exciting option that was added to the Beetle range in 2011. Developed in conjunction with the legendary electric guitar firm of the same name, this audiophile’s delight offers a 400 W output and a subwoofer, along with switchable three-colour illumination surrounding the front loudspeakers. In the UK, a choice of four engines is available: two petrol – a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS and a 1.4- litre TSI 150 PS – and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel that’s available with 110 PS or 150 PS. All engines come equipped with BlueMotion Technology, which thanks to the addition of Start/Stop and battery regeneration systems reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. As well as being economical and environmentally sound, the Beetle is also built to be one of the safest cars on the road thanks not only to features such as standard ESP and four airbags but also a laser-welded and galvanised body structure which has one of the highest torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/˚. This was recognised by Euro NCAP which awarded the Beetle its top five star safety rating in 2011. The Beetle went on sale in North America in autumn 2011, followed by mainland Europe. UK Retailers began taking orders for the Beetle in October 2011, with the first customer deliveries taking place in April 2012. The Beetle Dune went on sale on 5 April 2016 and the revised range, with the facelift, went on sale on 28 July 2016. SUMMARY Beetle made its debut at Shanghai Motor Show in April 2011; on sale in US and Germany from October; mainland Europe from November and UK from April 2012 Over 22.5 million Beetles have been sold since the original model was created in 1938, putting it among the world’s top three most successful cars of all time; over one million of these were New Beetles, of which over 68,000 were sold in the UK All new generation Beetle models are front-wheel drive, front engined and have three doors and four seats Created by a team led by Walter de Silva (Group Design Chief) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand Head of Design), the latest Beetle is substantially longer, wider and lower than the outgoing car and on a marginally longer wheelbase, meaning it looks more sporty, masculine and dynamic New proportions and design break with those of the 1998 version with longer bonnet and the steeper inclined windscreen moved back, making the latest model more akin to the 1938 original or the Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 1995 Beetle Dune went on sale in April 2016 and the complete line-up received a facelift in July 2016, with the R-Line added to the range Dimensions are: length 4,278 mm (+152 mm); width 1,808 mm (+84); height 1,486 mm (-12); wheelbase 2,537 mm (+22); while track widths have also increased by 63 mm to 1,578 mm at the front and by 49 mm to 1,544 mm at the rear Cargo capacity has increased and ranges from 310 litres to 905 litres with split/folding rear bench folded (previously 209/769) Four versions are available, two petrol and two diesel. A 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS and a 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS, plus a 2.0-litre TDI with a choice of 110 PS or 150 PS …/more - 3 - Press Information On the road, new suspension contributes to more dynamic driving performance than in the previous model. A very lightweight strut type set-up at the front is completed by semi-independent rear suspension Trim levels are defined as ‘Beetle’, ‘Design’, ‘R-Line’ and ‘Dune’. All have a high level of equipment including air conditioning and DAB radio; alloy wheels, multi-function leather steering wheel, MDI (multi-device interface), Bluetooth and colour co-ordinated dash and door panels on Design; and 2Zone air conditioning, parking sensors and gloss black wing mirrors on R-Line Safety is a priority with twin front and side airbags, plus ABS and ESC all standard. What’s more, the Beetle’s body is largely laser-welded and galvanised meaning it has one of the best torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/˚ Inside, the Beetle has an all new design; the bud vase is gone; the second glovebox integrated into the facia with an upward folding lid (familiar to those who know the air-cooled version) is back. Ergonomic and easy to read, all dials and controls are within easy reach and sight A range of optional items, including sat nav systems, keyless entry and start, Bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors and a Fender premium soundpack are available for the first time on the Beetle New model continues to be built at Volkswagen’s Puebla plant in Mexico, alongside the Jetta, Golf and Golf Estate …/more - 4 - Press Information Production The Beetle is produced at the Volkswagen de México plant and headquarters in Puebla – the capital of the federal state of the same name, 75 miles south-east of Mexico City – alongside the Jetta, Golf Mk VII and Golf Estate as well as a number of engine variants for self-supply and delivery to all Volkswagen automobile factories in America.