Volkswagen Beetle – A New Uber-Retro Model is coming

Volkswagen will release a new model of the iconic Beetle in 2012, and according to VW’s Group Head Designer, it “will be a big step” for the brand.

The Beetle has been a huge success for VW in the US, with the European and the UK market often branding it a little bit too ‘girly’, and a bit gimmicky.  But the US buyers seem to love the new Beetle, with sales peaking at 83,434 in the country in 1999.

Since the new Beetle came onto the market a dozen or so years ago there have been some incredible ‘retro’ successes, with the MINI and the Fiat 500 probably fighting for first place.  And with their next generation Beetle, VW are hoping to achieve the same level of resurgence by producing the ‘uber-retro’ car.  Volkswagen are also hoping to push it up the marketing ladder by throwing in some Eco models, which may be based on the VW Up! underpinnings and electric, hybrid and SUV models are all strong possibilities when the new Beetle starts to appear in the coming years.

This new model will address and deal with the concerns of the present model, mainly with its cramped rear seating.  Stefan Jacoby, VW’s US boss, says that “more space inside and better packaging are essential”, as it’s based on the new VW Golf.  However, the new model won’t necessarily be any bigger than the current one.

The next Beetle could certainly prove to be a big seller, even in the UK and Europe, if VW can achieve what BMW has done with the MINI and Fiat with the 500.

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