Volkswagen originally showed the new-shaped Beetle as a concept car at the Detroit car show when no one seemed to think that it would ever be produced. But when it arrived on our streets it was akin to what happened to the Mini; the shape alluded strongly to the original and there was a huge furore about it, but there the similarity ended. Far from having a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine like the original, the one we loved, it had a conventional layout, in fact, the engine, chassis and running gear of a Golf.
Power units offered are 1.8 or 2.0ltr petrol or a 1.9 Turbodiesel. 5 and 6 speed manual gearboxes are available or 4 or six speed automatics (the 6-speed auto on the 173 bhp 1.8 version).
On the move, manual variants tend to be noisy, especially at speed, and the car is affected more than average by side winds.
Build and interior materials are good, as are the front seats. Head and legroom in the front could be described as generous, although rear passengers suffer if the front seats are more than half way back. Rear passengers will also suffer a lack of headroom and anyone of any height will have their heads hitting the roof.
Visibility is a little restricted and storage, both interior and in the boot, is frugal. Insurance groups range hugely from 5 to 15.
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Volkswagen BEETLE.