New VW Beetle Even More Fun

Sure, I'd love to own it.

Some cars are just plain fun to have. Beyond the driving experience, their very presence in your driveway and your presence inside them makes you happy. My recent week with a Yellow Rush 2013 Volkswagen Beetle was memorable for the joy of it.

We all know that the original Beetle was Adolf Hitler's idea of a people's car. Despite those origins, the Bug sold in the tens of millions worldwide, finally ending sales in the U.S. back in 1979 (but continuing elsewhere until surprisingly recently).

In 1998 the New Beetle showed up, with a water-cooled, front-mounted engine (unlike the Beetle's air-cooled rear unit.) Based on a concept car, it gave some identity to the VW brand for years.

The 2012 Beetle was all new, still based on the Golf. It retains all the styling cues, but in some ways is more like the original car (although the engine remains in front, with a radiator). Beetle maniacs will note the more upright windshield, flatter roof, and completely different taillamps.

Inside, the car gets an all-new interior that evokes elements of the old favorite--a flatter dash, with plastic panels the color of the exterior, mimic the metal dash of old. There are two glove boxes--and the top one flips upward. There's even a clever multi-faced surface on the windshield pillars that makes them seem about half of their substantial (safety-enhancing) width. They even provided me with leatherette seats and doors--that's the material my old '64 Beetle had.

A central circular speedometer is old-fashioned, but pretty much everything else around it is 2013. For example, while driving, I noted the up- and downshift display. It's part of teaching you to shift at the right time for maximum fuel efficiency. The secret, though, was that I had the remarkable TDI model. VW offers other engine choices in the Beetle, but the 140-horsepower turbodiesel is fabulous for fuel economy--and it's slightly louder sound evokes the ancient Beetle sound a little, too. Diesels have higher torque for their size--this engine generates 236 lb.-ft. of it--so you can easily drive along at just 1,500 rpm. That means better fuel economy--and a quieter driving experience.

Mileage is just one of the delights of Diesel motoring. I averaged a smile-inducing 41.8 mpg over the week of mixed driving, but using the two-way information panel in the dash, I tracked individual trips. I routinely hit 50 miles per gallon on the freeway on my 30-mile treks to work. At one point, the display read an incredible 57.3 mpg!

Unfortunately, Diesel is running a little more than premium gas at the moment, unfortunately, and despite technological advances in clean Diesel fuel and engine efficiency, it is not the absolute cleanest way to generate mobility. It still manages to get a 7 for Greenhouse Gas and 6 for Smog in the EPA's test--in the solid middle.

My yellow car was a real joy to drive. The wide expanses of yellow sunny plastic on dash and doors made me happy during a cold and sometimes rainy winter week. The car starts right up--and greets you with "Welcome to Your Beetle" on the instrument panel. The Diesel engine is not silent, but you only hear it, really, if you stand in front of the car while it's running. Inside, it's essentially silent.

On the upper dash, there's a centrally mounted set of gauges--quite sporty looking. The left is for oil temperature--important in a Diesel and part of a "real" sports car, too. The central gauge is a stopwatch, presumably for timing your quarter-mile runs, but I never used it. On the right, a turbo boost gauge lets you see what you can feel when you stomp your foot. Of course, if you're going to maximize fuel economy, you'd best keep from going to the turbo well too often.

Part of the fun for me was using the smooth and accurate six-speed manual transmission. Granted, manuals are a dying breed in the U.S., but my '64 had a four-on-the-floor with a long, bent handle an a tiny plastic knob like a drawer pull, and that was fun--in its day. I followed the up/down guidance much of the time--you don't need to rev a Diesel--and found that there was plenty of power to zoom up hills, pass on the freeway, and cruise comfortably at 70. Of course, an automatic is available and will likely be the gearbox of choice.

The gasoline Beetles come with other engines. The standard engine is a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four, with either transmission. For higher performance, you can choose the 2.0-liter turbo, which bumps output to 200 horsepower.

As before the Beetle is available as a convertible, too. This model, which just appeared, looks like big fun, comes in some interesting decade-themed models ('50s, '60s, '70's) and promise even more fun on sunny days.

My only complaints were minor. The seatbelt seemed to ride a little high on my shoulder and it is not adjustable for height (although the seat is). Also, the songs on my iPod stuttered when each one began. 

Prices start at $20,790 for the 2.5 Beetle with manual transmission. Prices go up from there. You can add a sunroof, Fender (yes, the guitar company) audio system, and much more. My TDI, with only floor mats, the unusual heavy duty trunk mats with "CarGo Blocks" and a first aid kit as options, came to $24,360. That may sound like a lot for a Beetle, but the car is no longer the starting model of the brand, and it comes with a lot of standard equipment, including heated seats, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, cruise control, Bluetooth, and more. All prices include shipping.

The Beetle is a hatchback, and although the rear seats don't fold flat, I had no problem placing a bass back there, so it would work for me as a personal car. The driving fun, fuel economy and driving pleasure make this one a real favorite, and should help VW continue its upward surge of sales.

Car Show Leaves Me Exhausted

I attended the 2011 San Francisco Auto Show yesterday. As a huge dealer showroom (plus more), there were lots and lots of cars there, and plenty of people looking at them.

We arrived just when it was opening, hoping to minimize the crowds on Black Friday. We needn't have worried--it never got too bad. Descending the staircase, we saw the Fisker Karma--a remarkable and expensive plug-in Hybrid vehicle--and the powerful and very expensive McClaren.

It was the 1959 Autobianchi near the stairs that really appealed to me, though (a similar car is shown in the photo).

We opted to turn left and start our tour at the Lexus stand. The brand new 2013 GS was on display and a young man was describing its wonders. Looked nice, with its spindle grille, but not particularly exciting.

The Ford/Lincoln display had some new models worth considering, including two important Fords--the 2013 Focus BEV all-electric vehicle and the 2013 Escape compact crossover SUV. The electric Focus, due early in 2012, will give the Nissan Leaf some direct competition with its estimated 100-mile driving range. The all-new Escape replaces an aging bestseller with the more stylish European Kuga.

At the Hyundai stand, the new Equus looked huge and over chromed--and overpriced. It's surely contains all the right stuff, though, so we'll see who goes for it. The new Hyundai Veloster sports sedan/coupe was there with its oddball four-door sedan left side and two-door coupe right side. It looks better than that might sound, and in bright colors, should be another hit for the rising Korean brand. The Hyundai Elantra Touring could be a nice ride. It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission and starts at $16,000.

Speaking of Koreans, the new Kia Rio hatchback looked like a shrunken little brother of the remarkably appealing new Optima. So much going on with those two brands now.

GM had some fresh merchandise, with Buick's compact Verano--the smallest Buick in a long time--and the new full-size Cadillac XTS. I think both could be successful, but Buick is still struggling to entice folks used to buying import brands. At least at a car show people can get a feel for the new iron--although these two cars were perched up on stands away from the future buyers to sit in them and check out the interiors. Chevy's new 2013 Malibu sat right next to the 2012 model, showing the big changes--while keeping a smooth, handsome overall shape. This is a volume car and needs to be excellent to battle the dominant Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The 2012 Camry, by the way, was there, ready to check out. The problem is, it's so subtly redone that buyers may not be aware that it's new. As a mainstream midsize (virtually fullsize) sedan, it needs to not upset anybody, but it may not entice anyone either.

As I kept moving through the show, I realized that I was getting tired. There were lots more cars there but they didn't move me. The new Subaru Impreza looked good but they still don't know how to draw a pretty face at that company. VW had a couple of new Beetles there, and that was fun. I've already driven one for a few minutes so it wasn't my first look, but the future of that model is probably in good hands with the new, sharper, lower, modern interpretation. With it's hatchback and drop down 2nd row seats, it could be a practical choice too.

There were loads of classic cars from the Academy of Art University collection and you could drive the Nissan Leaf in a short loop.

Oddly missing--Mercedes-Benz.

What to buy? I need a small wagon or hatchback with a folding rear seat. There were numerous options, with the Mazda3 with SKYACTIV technology looks promising, especially in bright blue paint. The grin up front is a little toned down now.

Exhausted, now I'll review my hoard of brochures and think about my favorites.

VW Beetle No Longer a "Chick Car"

I knew the new Beetle was coming for 2012--but today I got an email offer to sign up for one of 600 Black Turbo limited edition models. I guess if I wanted a new Beetle (notice the lowercase "n"--the car's called just Beetle now) I would want one with a turbo--but maybe not in black.

This special manly VW bug features a 200-horsepower turbo engine, a sport suspension, and special Black Pearl paint.

If the "New Beetle" that arrived in the late 1990's was a change from the old car, this is a little less so--still based on the Golf--but it is a huge change in proportion and style. See the photos for more details, but you'll immediately notice a much higher window line and a more upright windshield--getting away from the "three humps" look of the New Beetle.

The interior is retro, but all-new. However, in another move toward toughness--sorry, no more bud vase.

I learned from my local dealer that deliveries of these new Beetles are weeks away, but you will definitely want to check one out when they arrive.