VW New Beetle: Stands the test of time

The VW New Beetle gets a new engine, but keeps its iconic shape.

Hard to imagine, but the 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle is in its ninth model year with only mild changes. Industry observers like to point to sagging sales of the Beetle as some indication that it has lost popularity, but really, what did they expect? The Beetle is doing fine for its age, and Volkswagen has done a good job of freshening the car mechanically to keep it current.

Case in point: For 2006, the Beetle finally dumps the tired 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder as its base engine, replacing it with a gutsy 2.5-liter, 150-horsepower five-cylinder. Gone also is the turbo-charged 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Because it had 150 horsepower, there was no need to keep it around as long as you have a base engine with the same specifications.

This leaves the New Beetle with two engines: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, and the 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel. The diesel engine has just 100 horsepower, but it's still a fuel mileage champ, EPA-rated at 37 miles per gallon city, 44 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 35/42 with the automatic. (The diesel version can't be sold in California.)

And even though it's 9 years old, it remains one of a kind.

Truly a design icon!

GermanCarBlog, VW New Beetle

Source: Mercury News, picture by VW

VW New Beetle: Stands the test of time

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