The Iconic Volkswagen Beetle Enters 2012 with Sportier Styling and New Engine Choices

As we take a look at the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, it's clear that this iconic car is long overdue for a redesign. However, instead of revamping its classic design, VW has opted to give the Beetle a sportier makeover while still maintaining its retro charm. One of the most noticeable changes is the lower and wider stance of the vehicle, which makes it roomier inside. The flatter roofline and push-back windshield also contribute to the new look of the 2012 Beetle.

The entry-level models come with handsome 17-inch wheels, but our loaded 2.5 liter tester boasts larger 18-inch wheels that really stand out. We also appreciate the chrome strip on the running boards, which adds a touch of sophistication to the car's design. Another nod to tradition is the optional dual glove boxes, which carry over some of the classic Beetle identity. The body-colored dashboard and door sills also return to the traditional look of the past.

Moving inside, we find that the interior surfaces are soft to the touch, with easy-to-reach controls that make navigating the car a breeze. There's even more legroom and shoulder room up front, as well as additional headroom for the backseat passenger. The 2.5 liter engine comes equipped with a sunroof, screen navigation, and a premium Fender Brand Live Sound audio system. And, if you open up the glove box, you'll find a dedicated iPod connector.

One of the standout features of the 2012 Beetle is its engine options. There are two gas engines available: a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder that delivers 170 horsepower and a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder. The 2.5 liter engine provides plenty of pep, making it more than sufficient for passing or getting up to speed when merging onto a highway. The automatic transmission comes with sport mode, allowing you to switch between automatic and manual shifting.

However, if you're looking for a more engaging driving experience, you can opt for the tiptronic manual shifting override. This feature lets you manually shift gears using the plus and minus signs on the shifter. When in automatic mode, the car will provide better fuel economy, but when you use the tiptronic to manually shift gears, it's a whole lot more fun and puts you more in touch with the car as you're driving.

Interestingly, VW also offers manual transmissions standard on the 2012 Beetle. The 2.5 liter comes with a five-speed transmission, while the turbocharged engine has a six-speed transmission that can deliver over 30 miles per gallon in highway fuel economy.

For those looking for more muscle in their Beetle, there's an optional four-cylinder turbo diesel model that promises better fuel economy and plenty of low-end torque. This newer addition to the lineup is sure to appeal to drivers who want a more environmentally friendly option without sacrificing performance.

Safety features are also top priority with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. Electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring are standard, with dual front airbags complemented by a combined side and curtain airbag system that protects only the front passengers. This is something to consider for families or drivers who carpool regularly.

Finally, we should take a look at the pricing of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The entry point starts at $19,795, with our loaded 2.5 liter model starting at $24,195. Turbo models begin at $23,395, and VW covers the powertrain for five years or sixty thousand miles.

For comparisons, we can look to other compact cars like the 2012 Ford Focus Five-Door Hatchback, which starts at around $18,000. And for those who want a more retro appeal, there's the turbocharged 2012 Mini Cooper Clubman, priced at around $25,000.

In conclusion, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has managed to strike a balance between modern features and classic design. With its sportier look, engaging engine options, and impressive safety features, this iconic car is sure to appeal to drivers of all ages and backgrounds.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enlong overdue for a redesign the iconic volkswagen beetle enters 2012 with sportier styling and a few new engine choices the beetle's been lowered and widened making it roomier inside this along with the flatter roofline and the push-back windshield give the 2012 beetle its new look entry-level beetles get handsome 17-inch wheels but these 18-inch wheels on our loaded 2.5 liter tester really stand out plus i like the chrome strip on the running boards these optional dual glove boxes carry over a bit of the traditional beetle identity and so do the body colored dashboard and door sills other than the body colored areas the interior surfaces are soft to the touch and the controls are easy to reach and manipulate there's a little more legroom and shoulder room here up front and even the back seater gets a little bit more headroom as well this 2.5 liter comes with a sunroof screen navigation and the premium fender brand live sound audio system and if you open up the glove box there's a dedicated ipod connector too now here on the shifter the plus and minus signs indicate the tiptronic manual shifting override for the available six-speed automatic transmission recommended if you want a sportier driving experience and if you go for the turbo you can even add the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for 2012 there are two gas engine choices a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder and a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder this is the 2.5 liter it delivers 170 horsepower with plenty of pep 20 more than the previous model and more than enough for passing or getting up to speed when merging onto a highway 2.5 liters come with a six-speed automatic with sport mode and tiptronic shifting which lets you manually shift gears yeah the automatic mode will get you a lot better fuel economy but when it comes to using the tiptronic to manually shift gears well that's a whole lot more fun and puts you more in touch with the car as you're driving it you can also get a manual transmission standard on the 2012 beetle either a five speed and the 2.5 liter or a six speed in the turbo at over 30 miles per gallon highway fuel economy for this compact car is just okay but if you crave a little bit more muscle in your beetle the four-cylinder turbo engine produces 200 horsepower with nearly identical fuel economy later in 2012 a 140 horsepower 2-liter turbo diesel model comes to the lineup promising better fuel economy and plenty of low-end torque some important safety features that come with a beetle include electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring standard dual front airbags are complemented with a combined side and curtain airbag system that protect only the front passengers something to consider if you carpool or have kids entry point pricing for the beetle starts at 19 795 our loaded 2.5 liter starts at 24 195 turbo models start at 23 395 vw covers the powertrain for five years or sixty thousand miles for comparisons take a look at the 2012 ford focus five-door hatchback starting at around eighteen thousand dollars or for the more retro appeal check out the turbocharged 2012 mini cooper club man priced at around 25 000 recognizable anywhere the 2012 beetle has a modern appeal for a new generation now it doesn't deliver the best fuel economy but it does have the latest features improved performance and of course the echoes of the original beetle styling that has kept it popular for decades youlong overdue for a redesign the iconic volkswagen beetle enters 2012 with sportier styling and a few new engine choices the beetle's been lowered and widened making it roomier inside this along with the flatter roofline and the push-back windshield give the 2012 beetle its new look entry-level beetles get handsome 17-inch wheels but these 18-inch wheels on our loaded 2.5 liter tester really stand out plus i like the chrome strip on the running boards these optional dual glove boxes carry over a bit of the traditional beetle identity and so do the body colored dashboard and door sills other than the body colored areas the interior surfaces are soft to the touch and the controls are easy to reach and manipulate there's a little more legroom and shoulder room here up front and even the back seater gets a little bit more headroom as well this 2.5 liter comes with a sunroof screen navigation and the premium fender brand live sound audio system and if you open up the glove box there's a dedicated ipod connector too now here on the shifter the plus and minus signs indicate the tiptronic manual shifting override for the available six-speed automatic transmission recommended if you want a sportier driving experience and if you go for the turbo you can even add the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for 2012 there are two gas engine choices a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder and a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder this is the 2.5 liter it delivers 170 horsepower with plenty of pep 20 more than the previous model and more than enough for passing or getting up to speed when merging onto a highway 2.5 liters come with a six-speed automatic with sport mode and tiptronic shifting which lets you manually shift gears yeah the automatic mode will get you a lot better fuel economy but when it comes to using the tiptronic to manually shift gears well that's a whole lot more fun and puts you more in touch with the car as you're driving it you can also get a manual transmission standard on the 2012 beetle either a five speed and the 2.5 liter or a six speed in the turbo at over 30 miles per gallon highway fuel economy for this compact car is just okay but if you crave a little bit more muscle in your beetle the four-cylinder turbo engine produces 200 horsepower with nearly identical fuel economy later in 2012 a 140 horsepower 2-liter turbo diesel model comes to the lineup promising better fuel economy and plenty of low-end torque some important safety features that come with a beetle include electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring standard dual front airbags are complemented with a combined side and curtain airbag system that protect only the front passengers something to consider if you carpool or have kids entry point pricing for the beetle starts at 19 795 our loaded 2.5 liter starts at 24 195 turbo models start at 23 395 vw covers the powertrain for five years or sixty thousand miles for comparisons take a look at the 2012 ford focus five-door hatchback starting at around eighteen thousand dollars or for the more retro appeal check out the turbocharged 2012 mini cooper club man priced at around 25 000 recognizable anywhere the 2012 beetle has a modern appeal for a new generation now it doesn't deliver the best fuel economy but it does have the latest features improved performance and of course the echoes of the original beetle styling that has kept it popular for decades you\n"