|
Hard to believe the Volkswagen New Beetle has been on the road for a full decade, already. Most vehicles would go through two full generations in that period, but the New Beetle has built on the original’s reputation for going the distance. (The classic Beetle was produced from 1938 until 2003!) Since its introduction, over 1 million New Beetles have been produced worldwide, with more than 500,000 sold in the United States. Originally unveiled as a design study car called “Concept 1” at the Detroit-based North American International Auto Show in 1994, the New Beetle made its worldwide debut in 1998. Since then, the hardtop spawned a cute convertible version. Together, both have offered a range of engines, including diesel, for both performance and fuel efficiency. Special editions have injected new life into the production run, including clever online marketing tie-ins for exclusive colors. In 1996, the New Beetle received its most significant update, with revised bumper caps freshening the exterior appearance. Under the curved hood, a five-cylinder engine was fitted, giving the New Beetle a smooth, refined alternative to the peaky, yet highly entertaining turbocharged four-cylinder...
|
