Beetle Topic Hub

2019 VW Beetle Convertible 2.0T Final Edition SEL – Review by Ben Lewis

Sometimes when cars go away, we don’t mourn their passing. Usually, those cars are nothing special, having outlived their usefulness, or are being replaced with something much better. But the VW Beetle has always been more than that. So, we’re truly sad to see this cheerful little vehicle go away. Who doesn’t need to smile today? Auf Wiedersehen, Baby… The appropriately named Final Edition is sending the Beetle off in a fine way. VW has a habit of making cool last models, and this one is no exception. We were lucky enough to score the Convertible version – it just …

May 25, 2019 Read more

2017 VW Beetle DUNE Cabriolet – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Is the Beetle Dune ragtop just what the doctor ordered? Back in September, we tested a VW Beetle Dune, and decided it could be the answer to VW’s Diesel-inspired tummy troubles. While the folks at VW may (still) be reaching for a Super Gulp-size Pepto, we found a much better choice for quick relief. The 2017 VW Beetle DUNE Cabrio. The recipe for the convertible is pretty similar to the Dune hardtop. Based as an homage to the Baja Bugs of yore, all Dune models get a notable bump in the macho department, with a slightly taller ride height (half …

Nov 11, 2016 Read more

2016 VW Beetle DUNE – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

You might not be a big fan of VW right now. Diesel has once again become a dirty word, and while the automaker struggles to make things right with the government and the buying public, the brand has been getting the stink eye in a lot of ways. We’re going to look past the diesel models, because there’s also a lot of goodness in the VW lineup, and we think there are an awful lot of folks who design, make, and sell the brand that had nothing to do with the problems going on. Right now, VW needs a new …

Sep 02, 2016 Read more

2016 Volkswagen Beetle DUNE Editions – Hitting Sand in Hard or Soft Tops Next Year!

This DUNE is not a concept. Finally! VW has been making DUNE-themed concepts every few years since the New Beetle burst on the scene in the mid-1990s. Each time, the natural jaded view that a two-wheel-drive beach car is a non-starter for actual practicality in its namesake terrain. Yes, the original baja Bugs were two-wheel-drive, also, but with the engine in back providing incredible grip in deep sand, but a light and floaty nose to glide over ridges and jumps smoothly. The 2016 DUNE will not be as graceful in soft sand, but quick and fun on hard-packed sand and …

Nov 17, 2015 Read more

2016 Volkswagen Beetle DENIM Recreates 1970s Jeans Bug – Limited-Run Special Cabrio Arrives by March

Some (sorta) uplifting news from VW: a production version of the Beetle Denim seen on the auto show circuit over the past year. The value-priced special edition comes on just the cabrio in two colors: Pure White or Stonewashed Blue. Retro wheels in 17-inch size and a 1.8-liter turbo join the new finishes, clothes and stitching throughout the sun-loving denim bug. While dubbed the Denim edition, the fabrics inside actually are cool high-tech fibers, a bit like athletic-wear. Looks comfy and cool on the inside, if a bit dour outside. 2016 Volkswagen Beetle DENIM VOLKSWAGEN REVISITS FAN …

Nov 17, 2015 Read more

VW Diesels Face Massive EPA Fraud Allegation – TDI Stop Sale Notice Is Days Away

Very unsettling news today that casts a dark shadow on Volkswagen TDI “Clean Diesel” engines sold in the United States since 2008. The EPA’s legal “notice of violation” to Volkswagen of America is deathly serious. And, as we predict below, will lead to TDI models being pulled from US showrooms almost immediately — as soon as this coming week. Unlike recall notices to fix even serious safety issues, a willful violation of the Clean Air Act would incur significantly higher monetary damages than a typical recall. Even the Takata airbag scandal is not this alarming. Max fines per vehicle sold …

Sep 18, 2015 Read more

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack In 30 New Photos

Updated 6.11.15 With 30 New Photos This Alltrack Golf SportWagen makes so much sense, it is hard to believe it took this long tomake real. Subaru is still riding the giant wave of Outback sales that started with its lifted, AWD wagons in 1995. The Alltrack is set to arrive in the US in 2016, and VW seems eager to follow up on the demand for its Golf SportWagen TDI and TSI. If you wish hard enough, we might even see the bad-ass older brother of the VW wagon family: the Golf R SportWagen. Or at least a GTI Variant! …

Jun 10, 2015 Read more

Volkswagen Reveals USA-Bound 2017 Golf SportWagen Alltrack in NY + 4 Beetle Concepts

VW is rolling into the New York show with some exciting vehicles! The most interesting is the Golf SportWagen Alltrack, which is confirmed for US showrooms next year as a 2017 model-year. This AWD variant is similar in theory to the Audi allroad or Subaru Outback formula, building on the platform of the new Golf SportWagen. Three of the Beetle concepts are pretty silly, with names like Denim, Pink and Wave, mostly just wheel and trim upgrades to the standard model. The most thrilling for performance fans is a Beetle R-Line, which is damn close to a SuperBeetle proper and may …

Apr 01, 2015 Read more

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Rear-Drive Widebody by Tanner Foust Racing

What is the best way to make the VW Beetle a credible sports-car? Make it rear-drive! But a race-prep overhaul and a widebody package from famous Japanese Porsche tuner RAUH-Welt Begriff on top of that? Yes yes yes! 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Rear-Drive Widebody by Tanner Foust Racing 2015 Volkswagen Tanner Foust Racing ENEOS RWB Beetle ft. RAUH-Welt Begriff Widebody This Volkswagen Beetle that represents a collaboration between Volkswagen rallycross driver Tanner Foust and famed Porsche tuners RAUH-Welt Begriff is set to be unveiled this week at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The Tanner Foust Racing ENEOS RWB Beetle …

Feb 13, 2015 Read more

Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Minibus and Transporter! Work Van Legend Turns 60 in UK This Year

Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Transporter We’ve been pretty down on VW USA this year. Can you blame some pushback from automotive media here in the US in the face of the two-year delay on the Golf 7 arriving on our shores? The first GTI’s are arriving in VW dealerships now, but these are from Germany. The bulk of the line is still months out, at the earliest. The Jetta makes me cringe when I see it on the road, and the new US-market Passat is looking less-good every single day. These old products are priced at the tippy-top of …

Jul 06, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback – 1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro by ItalDesign

A gullwing wedge sportscar for the masses! Before the 914, the closeness of the VW and Porsche teams was evolving fast. To think of the VW name on a futuristic design like this is unreal in 1970 — when the Beetle was just coming down from its all-time sales highs of the 1960s. Porsche was similarly retro at this time, with the 1966 911 being so modern that the 356 was kept in production for a few months to make sure the 911 was well-liked. 1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro

Jun 29, 2014 Read more

2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Scoots Around Go-Kart Autocross at Road America

Alternative headlines? “GSR Aims at Autocross Target, Misses.” “Beetle GSR Drives Like It Has Gorilla On Roof.” The Beetle GSR is supposedly tailor-made for racing and timed laps – it even includes a chronometer stopwatch right in the central dashboard and racing stripes outside. Unfortunately, all who drove it at Road America last week came away with various harsh critiques. Brakes were spongy and non-existent, the tires washed out all sense of grip, it felt pokey, and most damning of all: it handled extremely poorly. My critique that it felt like a gorilla was on the roof was echoed by …

May 28, 2014 Read more

2014 BMW 750Li Definitely Not Beautiful or Focused (Yet) — But Less Adrift as 750i M Sport + Squared-Off LED Lights Option

The BMW 7 series was long my favorite executive sedan — until 2003. Along with everyone on Earth, I was appalled by the redesign of this crisp and solid-handling machine into a lardy boat of Avalon-ian proportions. Things have barely improved in the ten years since this disaster of a redesign ruined every shred of ethos or cred this car had going for it versus the S-Class. Various steps have been taken to improve the tactile responsiveness of this giant barge, but the exterior style is still well past its PSI inflation rating. Regretfully, even the 2014 model looks so …

Apr 09, 2014 Read more

All-New FIA RallyCross Series Looks FUN! Dart, Sonic, Beetle, Fiesta, Fabia, Pug 208GTI and More On-Board

The inaugural WorldRX series is signing up some huge new entries left and right. The participation of Gilles Villeneuve is only the latest in a huge swatch of new players. The charismatic F1 world champ will done a fire suit and helmet before hitting the loud pedal — hard. So what is RallyCross? It is a high-powered racing series that brings much of the car tech from the World Rally Championship, but without that series’ major failing: almost total lack of broadcast entertainment value. By combining loose terrain with paved surfaces, the courses are set to be more like stadium …

Feb 13, 2014 Read more

Daimler Running Big Trucks in Tr4 via 2014 Freightliner Argosy (Villain) vs Western Star (Hero)

Big trucks, be nice! If there was ever a bad-guy in the truck world, it is a cab-over semi truck with a maniacal driver just inches behind the front bumper. The Cab-Over style seems absurd from basic aero principles, but does offer big benefits in such tight turning radii. But Transformers 4 comes out in just a few months, on 6.27.14. Did they miss the coolest new Daimler truck? The Freightliner Revolution is the best looking of the bunch, in my opinion. In addition, Transformers 4 shows a slow progression by Michael Bay and Co. toward reclaiming the original styles …

Jan 05, 2014 Read more

Future VW SuperBeetle Options May Finally Entice More Dudes

A fifth and sixth Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily today? The 2012 SEMA SuperBeetle Concept, and the 2013 Beetle R Concept. 2012 SEMA – VWVortex.com SuperBeetle Concept 2013 Beetle R Concept A seventh Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily? Yes, the seventh is an extremely tough Dude Beetle, if there ever was one:the ABT Sportsline. 2011-2014 Volkswagen Beetle by ABT Sportsline – Exterior Upgrades — ABT BEETLE: FRONT SPOILER — ABT BEETLE: HEADLIGHT COVERS — ABT BEETLE: REAR SKIRT SET — ABT BEETLE: LICENCE PLATE INSERT — ABT BEETLE: TAIL LIGHT COVERS — ABT BEETLE: VALVE CAPS — ABT BEETLE: SUSPENSION SPRINGS …

Jan 04, 2014 Read more

2014 VW Beetle Turbo, TDI and Cabrio – Buyers Guide and Photo Galleries

It’s VW Saturday here at CarRevsDaily! After sharing my first car stories in the previous VW ads article, I’m almost back on board with the 2014 Beetle. Three engines are available, and a fourth with the tuned power of the 2014 GSR. 2014 Beetle Coupe – Exteriors 2014 Beetle Coupe – Fender Edition 2014 Beetle Cabrio – Exteriors 2014 Beetle Cabrio – Interiors

Jan 04, 2014 Read more

How Plucky Visual Humor and Lavish Color Saved the VW Beetle in America (100+ Images)

I’ve been really hard on VW lately, and passed up an opportunity to test drive the 2014 Beetle GSR this summer – which I strongly regret! A few background items: — My first car was a 1975 SuperBeetle, which was the final and best evolution of the design with a curved windshield, hand-crank sunroof, L-Jetronic Fuel Injection and a new MacPherson strut front suspension design. I drove Walter, as he was named before joining our garage, throughout high school until year 2000, and for much of college until 2005. I miss him on winter days like this. — Silverado out …

Jan 04, 2014 Read more

Speculative Rendering – 2015 Volkswagen Passat R

Some big changes at Volkswagen of America this week, with executive leadership heads rolling to account for the current VW sales slump and steep down-trend. This is unfortunate, but just a cost of doing business. The previous acting chief doubled sales in 24 months, which is pretty astounding until you realize how low VW of America’s sales actually were. But what is the root cause? They are many and varied – but it comes down to the dated, extremely boring and overpriced US product portfolio. As many of you may know, I like to play with car configurators online. …

Dec 13, 2013 Read more