Volkswagen beetle – Page 2 – Automobiles Review

Volkswagen Confirms Beetle Dune Goes Into Production [VIDEO]

Volkswagen Beetle Dune is all about wind, dunes and sea. But this is not the main subject that we want to discuss but rather the video that Volkswgen has just released. As we have predicted earlier last week, the car is going to get a transformation of a concept into a production model. And the footage which you can watch below confirms that. In it you can see the only Dune in existence so far, but starting in 2016 we will see more of these on the road. There is also a statement that the Beetle Dune will also be available as a convertible.

The concept version of the car was revealed in January at North American Auto Show. In the video below, you can see this Beetle rolling on the road in sunny Sylt, Germany. This model is based on the current production Beetle. It delivers 210 horsepower (155 kW) via its turbocharged petrol engine. The unit is matched with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

The front-wheel driven Beetle has been raised by 50 mm compared with a standard one. This allow 19-inch wheels fitment, which are then shod with large tyres. A rear-mounted ski-rack on the other hand can accommodate skis as well as sandboards. Inside, the customers will enjoy the 7.7-inch touchscreen positioned in the center console.

httpv://youtu.be/GtEAnJ3s9wM

Source: Volkswagen via YouTube

July 3, 2014

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Gets New Premium Package

2014 Volkswagen Beetle was introduced to the market in the beginning of the year. The car is equipped with direct-injected 1.8T which has replaced the previous 5-cylinder 2.5 liter one. The unit produces a maximum of 170 hp (127 kW) and 249 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,750 rpm. The powerplant is also economical and returns 33 mpg on the highway. It can be mated with five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic. Other innovations for MY2014 include the new electric power steering.

From July, those who are looking to get a 2014 Beetle will have a new option to consider: the Premium Package. The pack is offered on both Coupe and Convertible trims equipped with the aforementioned engine or the TDI Clean Diesel engine. The Premium Pack adds features new to the Beetle, as well as equipment previously only available on the Beetle R-Line trim.

To be more precise, the front will get Bi-Xenon automatic headlights, which will light up the way of the car. Three exterior color options are new and come exclusively with the pack. They are namely: Oryx White, Platinum Gray and Deep Black.

The Premium Beetle will also get a sport suspension, grey door sills and mirror caps and R-Line bumpers with foglights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. What rounds out the exterior are the 8″ Disc wheels in Galvano Grey, which are featured in the TDI, and the 19″ Torando wheels in White for the 1.8T.

Inside, the iconic Volkswagen is getting also enhanced. Unique seating surfaces with leather inserts and contrast stitching is the first thing one sees when they enter the car. The other new features here are: Climatronic Automatic Climate Control, RNS 510 with navigation and satellite radio, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Fender Sound System and iPhone 5 cradle.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle with Premium Package has a starting price of $27,355 USD.

Source: Volkswagen

June 30, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept Takes To The Road

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept was revealed in January at North American Auto Show and we didn’t expect to see or hear from it soon, but miracles happen. The car has currently made reappearance on the road in sunny Sylt, Germany. And although it remains a concept car, everything about it is feasible which makes it practically a production vehicle. And this is the reason we expect to see it very soon hitting the market.

Beetle Dune concept stands on the current production model. It actually uses the same 210 horsepower (155 kW) turbocharged petrol engine, which, if you remember well, is coupled with a six-speed DSG gearbox. The latter provides power to the front wheels.

The first thing that this Shiny little Volkswagen Beetle evokes in us is fun. And the engineers and designers have ensures that the driver will definitely have fun on any terrain. In particular, the body has been raised by 50 mm compared with a standard Beetle. In addition, this one runs on 19-inch wheels shod with large tyres, lending the car an all-terrain look.

A reminiscence of the classic Beetle makes the rear-mounted ski-rack. It is the perfect accessory not only for the ski-season, but also for the hot summer, because it can hold sandboard. There are some visual gimmicks that define the concept; just take a look at the front bumper honeycomb air intakes and LED turn indicators.

Also, inside things have been made production-friendly. The only specific interior element the additional passenger grab handle in place of the glove-box. There is also a 7.7-inch touchscreen positioned in the center console. What’s left is to expect to see this little jewel soon debuting as a production vehicle.

Source: Volkswagen

June 24, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition

Volkswagen has unveiled the Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition at 2014 AMI Leipzig. The model is paying tribute to the body manufacturing company, which has produced thousands Beetle Cabriolets between 1949 and 1980.

Outside, the Beetle Cabriolet Karmann boasts a set of new 18” Disc design alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires and central chrome caps. The special model will be available in seven colors and feature a unique Sioux Brown power folding soft top.

The interior features sport seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, aluminium pedals and dash pad with Beetle look in matt aluminium. There is also a wind deflector and the Park Pilot parking distance monitor.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition is available across entire engine range including the range-topping 2.0 liter TSI with 210HP (155 kW) at 5,300RPM and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) at just 1,700RPM. The engine is connected to a 6-speed DSG sending the power to the front wheels. 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph).

Volkswagen will also present the new Scirocco, the new Golf GTE1 with a plug-in hybrid drive and the Beetle Dune concept car with a higher-set body and distinctive off-road design.

Source: Volkswagen

June 2, 2014

Volkswagen GRC Beetle To Compete In Red Bull Global Rallycross

Volkswagen and Andretti Sports Marketing have introduced more information about the 2014 Rallycross program. This included the reveal of a new vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. The brand has announced also that it will run two cars in the series for drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed.

At first, the team will compete with modified Polo rally cars, and later will switch during the season to the Volkswagen GRC Beetle. The latter is an all-wheel-drive rallycross car that is built upon the third-generation Beetle and will offer more than 560 horsepower (412 kW) from its turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine.

If you haven’t heard about the Rallycross, well here some info: this is the fastest growing form of motorsports in the United States. The cars which are competing are pitted against each other and the clock in a series of heats on a closed course that’s usually a mixture of dirt and pavement, with a 70-foot jump. What attracts the most is that the action is fast and intense.

Tanner Foust, as mentioned, will sit behind the steering wheel of the Beetle. He is a 2011 and 2012 GRC champion and runner-up in 2013. Foust is also famous for hosting the U.S. version of Top Gear and for his rally driving skills.

The other driver to take part in the rally is Scott Speed, who will be racing the 7UP entry. Speed has competed at the very pinnacle of motorsports, driving Formula 1 for Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2006 and 2007. He also participated in NASCAR between 2008 and 2013.

Red Bull Global Rallycross series begins in May, where a pair of Polo cars driven by Foust and Speed will be competing. The definitive Volkswagen GRC Beetle will appear at the X Games in June.

Source: Volkswagen

February 10, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Marks 65 Years In The United States

Volkswagen is celebrating this month a very special anniversary. Exactly 65 years ago the iconic Beetle arrived for the first time in the United States. In January 1949 Volkswagen Type 1, or Beetle, was shipped to New York City by the Dutch businessman Ben Pon, Sr.

The same year, the car attracted buyers, marking the first time that Volkswagen vehicles were sold in the U.S. The Beetle became later a cultural milestone for the entire generation. For 65 years, the brand managed not only to sell Beetle’s around the country but also to offer eleven different models with great success. As a matter of fact, in 2013 the German company sold 407,704 vehicles in the U.S. alone.

Back in the days, Americans were drawn to the affordability and practicality of the car. They also were so charmed by its unique design, size, and fuel efficiency. 1977 marked the last Type 1, which was rolled off the production line, and the next new Beetle was introduced more than a decade later – in 1998. The vehicle paid styling homage to its predecessor. However, it featured water cooled engine and was mounted at the front.

A redesigned third-generation Beetle entered the North American market in 2011 and offered powerful and fuel-efficient engines, better handling, as well as more technology and safety features.

A week ago Volkswagen announced the pricing of 2014 Beetle, which now comes equipped with 1.8T engine that substitutes the 5-cylinder 2.5 liter one. 1.8T is direct-injected ad produces 170 hp (127 kW) and 249 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,750 rpm. The powertrain is matched with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Source: Volkswagen

January 31, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept Closer To Reality At Detroit

Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-shadow A sketch just a week ago, reality toady: the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept reveals itself to the world in Detroit at the 2014 North American Auto Show. It’s also closer to production than ever. So get your sunscreen and prepare for the amazing sandboarding session you’ve always dreamed of.

Why do we think the Dune is close to production? Well, it’s pretty much a Beetle. A beefed up one but, nevertheless, a Beetle. It sits 50 mm higher from the ground than the standard counterparts, It has four aggressively flaring wheel arches that widen the body by 24 mm on each side (that’s a total width of 1,856 mm. Consequently, both of the Dune’s tracks get a 29 mm advantage over the standard ones. A track width, then, of 1,607 mm at the front and 1,573 mm at the rear. It sits on four 19-inch wheels wearing 255/45 tires. Main point: even more ruggedness!

There are some visual gimmicks that no concept goes without, but they are very minimal. Things like the front bumper honeycomb air intakes, LED turn indicators. Then there’s the back which hosts two spoilers that have been specially designed to accommodate a pair of skis… for sand, apparently.

A very real part of the car, however, is its turbocharged 210 hp engine, which we suspect may have been lifted from a Golf GTI and mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox. Here are some actual figures: 0 to 62 mph gets done in 7.5 seconds; a top speed of 141 mph is “feasible”; and a fuel economy of 23 mpg (city) or 29 mpg (highway). An interesting engineering choice, though, is the FWD setup. It’s called the Dune, people, how do you tackle the sandy stretches?

Also, inside things have been left production-friendly. The only Dune-specific interior bit is the additional passenger grab handle in place of the glove-box. You’ll have a hard time noticing it anyway, since there’s a 7.7-inch touchscreen display dominating the center console.

Source: Volkswagen

January 15, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Off-Roader Makes Debut In Detroit

Another concept is announced to make its official premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it is the Volkswagen Beetle Dune. The brand has released a sketch to reveal the car ahead of debut and through it we can get the impression of Beetle’s cool and rugged offroad look.

As a matter of fact Volkswagen is taking into consideration the chance to bring in production the Dune concept, making it the sportiest Beetle ever. The details revealed are not many but say much: the body was raised by two inches and the designers bolted a pair of skis to the roof.

Another interesting fact is that the Dune Concept actually revisits an idea that was born with the New Beetle Dune concept, presented in Los Angeles in 2000. However, the latter car was unsuccessful because of its unrealistic design, interior and roof structure.

Dune is based on the production R-Line Beetle and will be equipped with 210-horsepower turbocharged TSI engine matched with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The concept puts its power to the ground via the front wheels and a strut-type front and multilink rear suspension, with the XDS electronic differential lock delivering additional traction.

Source: Volkswagen

January 10, 2014

Retro Styling For MR Car Design Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle will always be one of the most emblematic vehicles of the automotive industry. When this car in its current form gets transformed by the luxury tuning specialists such as MR Car Design, the result is sumptuous.

To be more precise, the here presented Beetle has been equipped by MR Car Design with a fully electronic G-Ride air suspension, which was added on the front and rear axle and was sportively trimmed. In addition, the height in front or rear can be adjusted by remote control or fully automatically.

In order for the vehicle to have a perfect on-road presence, the tuning professionals have installed on it 8×19” wheels which were perfectly coupled with 225/35-19 tires. Regarding the poweroutput of the car, MR Car Design has performed carefully a 2.0 TDI chip tuning software optimization.

The result is that the Volkswagen now is capable of generating up to 210 PS (154 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. In addition, the tuners have also added cat exhaust systems, G-Ride air suspension and coilovers, sport rims and foil wrapping.

Source: Miranda Media

October 7, 2013

HRE Performance Enhances Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

HRE Performance has improved the visual characteristics of a Volkswagen Beetle Turbo by featuring to it their FlowForm wheels. To be more precise, this Super Beetle now runs on Gloss Silver FF01 wheels.

What is special about this Turbo version of the iconic car is that it is equipped with the award-winning EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder TSI® engine. It is able to produce 210 horsepower (155 kW) and can generate 207 pound-feet (280 Nm) of torque.

This enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in only 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The power of the engine is transmitted via six-speed manual transmission.

However, for the tuners at HRE 210 horsepower weren’t enough. With the help of an APR Stage IV GTX Turbocharger, in addition to various other APR upgrades, they were able to enhance the power of the car up to 500hp (368 kW).

Furthermore, the original color of the car is now hidden under a foiling. This “Super” Beetle is wrapped in Matte Azure Blue Metallic delivered by ORACAL. What is left to mention is that the Gloss Silver wheels are in size 20″x9″ and they give a final touch to this project.

Source: HRE Performance Wheels

June 25, 2013

2013 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Limited Edition

Volkswagen has announced a new limited edition Beetle. The 2013 Beetle GSR has a unique design and powerful turbocharged petrol engine. Only 3,500 units will be created and 100 of them are being offered to UK customers.

The exterior boasts yellow and matt black accents, GSR lettering, R-Line designed bumpers and black rear spoiler complete the GSR look. The attractive hatchback rolls 19” Tornado alloy wheels fitted with 235/40 tyres.

The interior also comes with black and yellow theme. There is also a leather sports steering wheel and R-Line sports seats (with fabric covers and contrasting yellow stitching). The car also boasts an R-Line dash pad, GSR gear stick, leather handbrake lever gaiter and black floor mats with contrasting yellow embroidery. Last, but not least is a badge with the car’s special-edition number (1 to 3,500).

The 2.0 liter TSI has 210HP (154 kW) and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) – 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and expected fuel consumption of 38.7 mpg with CO₂ emissions of 169 g/km.

The new 2013 Beetle GSR can be ordered with either a 6-speed manual or DSG gearbox. The manual Beetle GSR costs £24,900 (OTR RRP) with a £1,500 premium for DSG. The car is available to order now with first deliveries expected in September.

Source: Volkswagen

May 10, 2013

Petrolicious: Volkswagen Beetle – Kindred Spirits [VIDEO]

When you think about which car is one of the most famous and emblematic one in history you will definitely ponder on at least five models. What is also certain is that among them will be the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. One of the best words to describe this vehicle is “ubiquitous”.

The model entered production in 1935 and since then from it were produced over 21 million units. With almost 80 years old history the Beetle continues to be as successful as in its days of fame. Although it remained mostly unpopular with its original name – Volkswagen Type 1, the Beetle remains the longest-running and most manufactured car of a single design platform.

Despite the fact that so many cars of this Volkswagen model were produced, it is still extremely hard to find two Beetles that are customized in the same way. The idea of endless customization is probably what endears so many to model, or perhaps it is that behind these cars there are no two owners alike. This basically means that behind every one of it there is a story.

In the video below, the fellows from Petrolicious show exactly this: the story of Stephan Ruiz and his Beetle. After many mishaps involving stolen, burned, and wrecked Beetles, he has eventually found his personal Beetle. Clean is the best word to describe this one-year-only 1967 Beetle, and Stephan wants to keep it that way.

httpv://youtu.be/HfAMeKieObQ

Source: Petrolicious

March 20, 2013

Tag: Volkswagen beetle