2012 Volkswagen Beetle Fuel Economy

all-new third generation Volkswagen Beetle which opened today ahead of its world premiere at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and the New York Auto Show. Bug latest interpretation comes 73 years after the launch of the original Beetle in 1938, which sold an astonishing 21.5 million units, and 13 years after the debut of the New Beetle in 1998 who sold a little over 1 million units until production ended in 2010.

When it went on sale in North America and Europe in the autumn of 2011, and the whole world from the beginning of 2012, the latest model will be known only as 'Beetle' as Volkswagen dropped the 'New' from the name of the car.

If someone asked us to summarize the quality of the Beetle 2012 in a few words, it would be: larger, more mature and unisex. Starting with the design, the goal is to make VW Beetle 21st century attraction to both sexes. As a result, VW Group design chief Walter de Silva and his team offered Beetle look bad and low-slung that draws on cues from the concept shown in Detroit Ragster Beetle in 2005. Overall styling is much more rounded and more sculpted than the New Beetle, while keeping the retro feel of the series.

The same goes for the interior, with Volkswagen dropped the 'cute' features from previous models such as "bud vase" sign mounted to the dashboard. Highlights include a flat bottom steering wheel is available, an extra glovebox integrated in front of the cap shingle folds upwards while keeping an open standard glovebox down, optional additional instruments on the center console and an integrated audio and navigation system with 5-inch or 6.5 -inch screen. As an option, VW offers a panoramic sunroof that says 80 percent bigger than the previous model.

Beetle 2012 has grown in size and now measures 4.278 mm (152 mm), width 1808 mm (84 mm) and 1486 in height (-12 mm). Front and rear track width, and wheelbase of 2537 mm, also increased more than its predecessor and promises to offer improved interior space. In addition, the boot capacity of 310 liters, up from 209 liters in model year 1998, while all versions come with rear seats split-fold for increased flexibility.

Like its predecessor, the Beetle features front mounted engine, front-wheel drive layout. Depending on the region, the latest bug will be offered with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines.In the U.S., powertrain choices including 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel with 140hp and both 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which returns 40mpg on Highway cycle, 29mpg in city driving, and 33mpg combined.

The range consists of VW gasoline-you-guess-old five-cylinder units of 2.5-liter with 170HP. Manual version reaches 22 mpg (city), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined), while her partner with a 6-speed automatic entry in the 22 mpg (city), 29 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined).

Finally, U.S. buyers can opt for the 2.0 liter TSI petrol unit with a 200HP turbocharged and combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. It is offered with a 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed DSG. For the whole world including Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Beetle will be offered solely with turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all of which are being used for the first time in the Beetle.

Petrol options include a 1.2-liter TSI with 105HP, a 1.4-liter TSI gives 160HP and the 2.0-liter TSI produces 200HP. The range includes 1.6-liter diesel engine with 105HP and 140hp units. According to VW, thanks to the addition of Stop / Start and battery regeneration system 105HP 1.6-liter Beetle is expected to have a combined fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (equivalent to 54.7 U.S. mpg or 65.7 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 112 g / km.

Name: The Beetle
World debut: 18 April 2011
Market launch, North America: September / October 2011
Market launch, Europe: October / November 2011
Market launch, Asia: February 2012
Market launch, South America: late 2012 / early 2013
Character: iconic automobile
Equipment lines: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport"
Engine power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS
Lowest fuel consumption (combined), Europe: 4.3 lt/100 km (1.6 TDI)
Fuel economy (combined) USA: 33 mpg (2.0 TDI)
Engine specifications: all petrol engines are charged TSI engines (except 2.5-litre engine for USA); all diesels are new common rail TDI engines; all engines meet Euro-5 emissions standard; all US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV
Debut of original Beetle: 1938
Debut of New Beetle: 1998
Total units built to date: more than 22.5 million
Designers: Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand), Exterior: Marc Lichte (team leader), Cris Lesmana, Nisan Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski (team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour and trim: Oona Scheepers (team leader), Susanne Gerken
Exterior dimensions: 4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm
width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbase
Cargo capacity: 310 litres 

2012 VW Beetle Gallery