Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle Overview

The iconic Volkswagen Beetle, or more fondly known as the ‘Bug’, is the quintessential people’s car. Born in 1938 during a rather grim period of the world’s history, little did Ferdinand Porsche know that the two-door, rear engine car that his team designed and engineered would go on to shape the automotive industry as we know it today.

Unlike the original, the new Volkswagen Beetle has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. It features a lower profile while retaining the iconic shape of the original Type 1. Codenamed the Typ 5C, Malaysian has seen numerous iterations of the iconic nameplate since its introduction including the unique Beetle Dune, the Beetle Cabriolet and the limited edition ‘Herbie 53’ design.

The most recent models on offer are the facelifted 1.2 Litre TSI coupé available in both the Design and Sport trim, introduced back in 2019. Imported directly from Puebla, Mexico, prices start from RM 137,620 for the Design and RM 148,620 for the Sport (OTR without insurance). The facelifted Volkswagen Beetle comes with a redesigned bumper and a new colour option known as Silk Blue, offered alongside the usual Habanero Orange, White Silver, Tornado Red, Dark Bronze and Pure White.

Volkswagen Beetle Design

The Volkswagen Beetle combines retro styling with modern functionality. The bulging front and rear fender pays homage to the original Type 1. Now featuring a new bumper design with subtle chrome touches, the front looks purposeful yet suitably understated.

Circular headlights design with distinct LED daytime running lights, coupled with the sports styled bonnet and sharper roof line create a contemporary yet instantly recognizable look.

Elegant frameless windows with chrome finishes elevate the premium feeling of the car. A rear hatchback style opening seamlessly integrates with the slopping rear roof line design, retaining the iconic Type 1 curvy rear end and its distinctive proportion.

The Design variant feature 16-inch alloy while the Sport variant gets 17-inch Rotor alloy wheels. The rear LED lights are now tinted too. The cargo space available is 310 litre and is accessible by lifting up the VW badge, in usual Volkswagen fashion.

Volkswagen Beetle Dimension

The facelifted Volkswagen Beetle is longer and sporting a lower profile than its predecessor.

Volkswagen Beetle Interior

In contrast to the typical black and austere interior found in most German cars, the body-coloured interior trims found on the dashboard, steering wheel and the door panel brightens up the cabin, reflecting the quirkiness that is the Volkswagen Beetle.

But that is as far as the quirkiness go while the rest of the cabin remains pretty Germanic with logically laid out buttons and practical design, which may not necessarily be a bad thing. The Design trim is fitted with fabric upholstery while Sport trim gets upgraded ‘Vienna’ leather.

Interior storage is generous with useful cubby holes with a second ‘beetle’ glove box. And despite having only two doors, it will seat four comfortably albeit with slightly compromised headroom for the rear passenger due to the slopping roof line.

Volkswagen Beetle Features

Standard equipment includes electronic folding heated wing mirrors, fog lamps with cornering lamps, body-coloured interior trim, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, 3-dial analog instrument panel, and a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system connected to an eight-speaker audio system.

Sport variant gets an upgraded 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running light, Vienna combination leather upholstery with front sport seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and paddle shifter. Driver assistance like cruise control is available exclusively on the Sport variant only.

In terms of safety, both variants come equipped with Rest Assist, a driver alert system that helps detect drivers fatigue by alerting the driver when break is needed during long journey. Other standard safety feature includes 4 airbags, ISOFIX anchor, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) and ABS with Brake Assist.

Volkswagen Beetle Driving Performance

Volkswagen Beetle Engine

Powering the front wheels is Volkswagen’s lightweight EA211 1.2 Litre 4-cylinder TSI turbocharged engine with direct injection, developing 105 PS at 5000 RPM and 175 NM of torque from 1550 RPM. Lugging the 2-door coupé from a standstill to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds and upwards to a top speed of 180 km/h.

Volkswagen Beetle Transmission

The engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG Direct Shift transmission. Gear changes are seamless and effortless with the occasional hesitation during stop-and-go traffic. Paddle shifter is available on the Sport variant should you decide to take gear changes into your own hands.

Volkswagen Beetle Ride Comfort

Contrary to popular believe, the Volkswagen Beetle is not based on the highly versatile MQB platform that underpins the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, but rather it shares the older generation A5 (PQ35) platform with the current generation Volkswagen Jetta and the Mk 6 Volkswagen Golf.

At low speed, the ride can be a bit on the firm side but by no means uncomfortable. It deals with bumps and road imperfection reasonably well. However, there is a sense of disconnection between the drive and the chassis when chucking it into corner at speed. That being said, it is an excellent highway cruiser with exceptional NVH levels partly thanks to its bulbous shape that cuts through air and minimizes wind noise.

Volkswagen Beetle Fuel Consumption

The rated combined fuel economy for the 1.2 litre engine is 5.9 L/100km and CO2 emission figure of 139g/km.

Volkswagen Beetle Conclusion

Let’s be honest, a Volkswagen Beetle today is hardly a rational purchase but rather a fashion statement, one that states that you care about aesthetics above all else.  But that being said, a combination of timeless design, refined powertrain, decent ride quality and passable practicality makes the Volkswagen Beetle an excellent daily companion.

There is almost nothing quite like it in the market and the MINI 3-door is perhaps the closest comparable car out there. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. After more than 81 years in production, Volkswagen has decided to discontinue the legendary Beetle nameplate. It is no doubt an automotive icon that transcends generation and legends like the Porsche 911 owes its success to the Volkswagen Beetle. It certainly deserves a place in the hall of fame alongside icons like the Jaguar E type, Citroen DS and the Ford Model T.