Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle?

The Emperor · 02-19-2007, 11:05 AM

If new illustrations from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport are any indication, the next-generation Volkswagen Beetle will lose much of its retro styling for something considerably more modern.

When the new Beetle was introduced in 1998, it arrived with styling derived directly from the original. If Volkswagen's California design studio has its way, the 2010 model will have a completely fresh interpretation of the classic Beetle theme.

It will also become sportier, with the aim of competing more directly with BMW's MINI, according to the magazine report. The new model will also have more interior space — it will feature a lower roofline but a longer overall cabin, with more space behind the front seats.

AMS says the regular coupe and cabriolet versions will be offered, in addition to a crossover/wagon and possibly even a pickup.

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NarutoRamen · 02-19-2007, 11:30 AM

While this is a good idea to ditch retro...the fact that the car just looks like a combo of the current beetle and the GTI doesn't do anything for me. Hopefully they can come up with something more original because afterall that was the reason the beetle sold so well.

MikeJ · 02-19-2007, 11:41 AM

I'm surprised they're not ditching the Beetle altogether. I always figured being retro was its raison d'être.

Mirage77 · 02-19-2007, 11:17 PM

I think they should keep the retroness. It is, after all as MikeJ said, the reason why the Beetle is around today...

bum-man · 02-20-2007, 08:46 AM

What they really need to do is set the platform away from all the others like the last one. Then design a new flatfour with that unique sound and chuck it in the back...but that will never happen.

rev · 02-20-2007, 09:14 AM

Could it look something like this?

Giannis · 02-20-2007, 02:30 PM

reminds me of volvo C30

Osnabrueck · 02-20-2007, 03:16 PM

I don't know about those cars specifally, but the retro beetle has run out of steam. VW should do a radically fresh interpretation of what the beetle is for today's audience. A redesign a la Mini cooper won't cut it.

phaeton · 02-20-2007, 05:39 PM

I think the sketches rev8000 is what VW may aim for.

Its a funky cool design, affordable and most likely to be aimed at Nth Americas youth market ala Scion.

Brookside · 02-20-2007, 07:39 PM

I think the trouble with retro is that you can only revisit it once...
a "been-there-did-that" kind of thing. So it's a short term tactic rather than a long range strategy.
Time for something new.

02-19-2007, 11:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Emperor Malicious Persecutor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Where noone has gone before... Posts: 9,144 My Mood: Thanks: 1,411 Thanked 1,572 Times in 953 Posts	Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? If new illustrations from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport are any indication, the next-generation Volkswagen Beetle will lose much of its retro styling for something considerably more modern. When the new Beetle was introduced in 1998, it arrived with styling derived directly from the original. If Volkswagen's California design studio has its way, the 2010 model will have a completely fresh interpretation of the classic Beetle theme. It will also become sportier, with the aim of competing more directly with BMW's MINI, according to the magazine report. The new model will also have more interior space — it will feature a lower roofline but a longer overall cabin, with more space behind the front seats. AMS says the regular coupe and cabriolet versions will be offered, in addition to a crossover/wagon and possibly even a pickup. [ - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER] Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

02-19-2007, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
NarutoRamen Devotee Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,547 Thanks: 406 Thanked 209 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? While this is a good idea to ditch retro...the fact that the car just looks like a combo of the current beetle and the GTI doesn't do anything for me. Hopefully they can come up with something more original because afterall that was the reason the beetle sold so well.

02-19-2007, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
MikeJ Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oulu Posts: 2,037 My Mood: Thanks: 159 Thanked 533 Times in 299 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? I'm surprised they're not ditching the Beetle altogether. I always figured being retro was its raison d'être.

02-19-2007, 11:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mirage77 The Doughnutman. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,438 Thanks: 1,473 Thanked 1,225 Times in 722 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? I think they should keep the retroness. It is, after all as MikeJ said, the reason why the Beetle is around today...

02-20-2007, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
bum-man Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,734 Thanks: 64 Thanked 88 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? What they really need to do is set the platform away from all the others like the last one. Then design a new flatfour with that unique sound and chuck it in the back...but that will never happen.

02-20-2007, 09:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
rev Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Greece Posts: 383 Thanks: 179 Thanked 85 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? Could it look something like this?

02-20-2007, 02:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Giannis Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Patra, Greece Posts: 3,487 Thanks: 139 Thanked 212 Times in 163 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? reminds me of volvo C30

02-20-2007, 03:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Osnabrueck Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 233 Thanked 203 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? I don't know about those cars specifally, but the retro beetle has run out of steam. VW should do a radically fresh interpretation of what the beetle is for today's audience. A redesign a la Mini cooper won't cut it.

02-20-2007, 05:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
phaeton Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia - South Australia Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 1,040 Thanked 453 Times in 244 Posts	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? I think the sketches rev8000 is what VW may aim for. Its a funky cool design, affordable and most likely to be aimed at Nth Americas youth market ala Scion.

02-20-2007, 07:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Brookside Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brookside Posts: 177 Thanks: 62 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Volkswagen to ditch retro for new Beetle? I think the trouble with retro is that you can only revisit it once... a "been-there-did-that" kind of thing. So it's a short term tactic rather than a long range strategy. Time for something new.

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