Volkswagen unveils the next generation Beetle

Volkswagen has just revealed to the world the next generation Beetle. And despite being around for over 60 years, the Beetle is only entering its 3^rd generation next year. The Beetle was first introduced back in 1949, and sold for 30 years before being discontinued. In 1998, the Beetle was brought back to life with the 2^nd generation model you usually see on the road. Come later this year, we’ll be seeing a new breed of Beetles roaming the streets.

The 3^rd generation Beetle looks a bit like the 2^nd generation model, but it is “substantially wider, the front hood is longer, the front windshield is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline.” It is 3.3″ wider, and 6″ longer than before but 0.5″ shorter in height. It will arrive in 2 variants – a turbo-charged TDI Clean Diesel and a turbo-charged gasoline engine version. I guess Volkswagen isn’t ready to take the hybrid path just yet. The Clean Diesel engine is touted to give 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 miles per gallon in the city.

No prices have been revealed, but the 3^rd generation Volkswagen Beetle will go on sale in the US in September or October later this year. Any takers?

George Wong
Categories: Transportation
Tags: car, volkswagen