Another retrograde update IMHO; here's VW's design-speak:

“The Beetle is now characterised by a clean, self-confident and dominant sportiness… We wanted the vehicle to be more sporty, dynamic and masculine.”

It's bigger than the previous version of course...

 

Looks better than the current version.
Still wouldn't buy one.

 

Saw a pic of one today which had similar writing to that of a Porsche Carrera along the doors. It says "Turbo"

http://www.thetechherald.com/article...swanky-new-Bug

Tragic.

 

Mrs P had an old 'new' beetle sometime ago - one of the first UK spec. cars, albeit LHD - I rather liked it; considerably more interesting visually than the grey-porridge masquerading as contemporary car design.

The new one has clearly adopted the new VW 'design language' in order to, allegedly, broaden its appeal; heaven forfend something should be distinctive and have 'personality'...

As ever, each to their own - but I'd take an old 'new' Beetle over a new 'new' Beetle or a current Golf. It had honesty in the design and looked 'fun'.

 

Men cannot own "new" Beetles on account of the vase on the dash ...

 

Will still be the ultimate indicator for those I'd probably wish to avoid.

 

That's very much at odds with my experience; almost all 'new' Beetle owners (or ex-owners) I know are quite lovely - Mrs P being especially so and she's an accountant too...

... perhaps it's a Northern thing!

PS Our Beetle was Mars/Guards/Laser Red and we came very close to fitting a set of these über-tasty Budnik Pentacle billet wheels. Alas VW changed the stud pattern very early in the Beetles life and the giveaway-priced new set we were offered (£1,200 at the time) woudn't fit. I recall being gutted.

Funny the crap one remembers...