[新車速遞] 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: All-New Bug Grows up

本帖最後由 carwing 於 2011-4-20 11:38 AM 編輯

Ladies and gents, say hello to the all-new,third generation Volkswagen Beetle that was unwrapped today ahead of its world premiere at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show
and New York Auto Show .The newest interpretation of the Bug comes 73 years after the launch ofthe original Beetle in 1938, which sold an amazing 21.5 million units,and 13 years after the debut of the New Beetle in 1998 that managed tosell a little over 1 million units until production ended in 2010.   When it goes on sale in North America and Europe in the fall of 2011, and the rest of the world from early 2012, the latest model will be known simply as the ‘Beetle’ as Volkswagen dropped the ‘New’ from the car’s name.If someone asked us to summarize the qualities of the 2012 Beetle in a few words, it would be: larger, more mature and unisex.Starting with the design, VW’s goal was to make the 21st century Beetleappeal to both genders. As a result, the VW Group’s chief designerWalter de Silva and his team offered the Beetle a meaner andlower-slung look that draws on cues from the Beetle Ragster conceptshown in Detroit in 2005. The overall styling is far less bulbous andmore chiseled compared to the New Beetle, while keeping the retro feelof the series.
Thesame goes for the interior, with Volkswagen dropping the ‘cute’features of the previous model such as the signature “bud vase” mountedto the dashboard. Highlights include an available flat bottom steeringwheel, an extra glovebox integrated in the front facia whose lid foldsupward while keeping the standard glovebox that opens downward,optional auxiliary instruments above the center console and integratedaudio and navigation systems with a 5-inch or a 6.5-inch screen. As anoption,VW offers a panoramic sunroof that is said to be 80 percent larger than on the previous model.
  The2012 Beetle has grown in size and now measures 4,278 mm in length (+152mm), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm). The trackwidth front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, are alsoincreased over its predecessor and promise to offer improved interiorspace. In addition, the boot capacity is 310 liters, up from 209 litersin the 1998 model, while all versions come with a split-fold rear seatfor improved versatility.
  Likeits predecessor, the Beetle features a front mounted engine,front-wheel drive layout. Depending on the region, the latest Bug willbe offered with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines.
  Inthe U.S., powertrain options include a 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel with140HP and either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatictransmission, that returns 40mpg in the Highway cycle, 29mpg in Citydriving, and 33mpg combined.
  Thegasoline range comprises of VW’s –you-guessed it- archaic 2.5-literfive-cylinder unit with 170HP. The manual version attains 22 mpg(City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined), while its counterpartwith a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22 mpg (City), 29 mpg (Highway)and 25 mpg (combined).
  Finally,U.S. buyers can opt for a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline unit with200HP and a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. It is offered with a6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG.
  Forthe rest of the world including Asia, Australia, Europe and NewZealand, the new Beetle will be offered solely with turbochargedfour-cylinder engines, all of which are being used for the first timein the Beetle.
  Gasolinechoices include a 1.2-litre TSI with 105HP, a 1.4-litre TSI delivering160HP and a 2.0-litre TSI producing 200HP. The diesel range includes a1.6-liter with 105HP and a 140HP unit. According to VW, thanks to theaddition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems the Beetle1.6-litre 105HP is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 4.3lt/100km (equal to 54.7 mpg US or 65.7 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 112g/km.
  All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.
  We’ll have more details and photos of the 2012 Beetle from the New York Auto Show this week, so stay tuned to Carscoop.

Key facts summaryName: The Beetle
World debut: 18 April 2011
Market launch, North America: September / October 2011
Market launch, Europe: October / November 2011
Market launch, Asia: February 2012
Market launch, South America: late 2012 / early 2013
Character: iconic automobile
Equipment lines: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport"
Engine power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS
Lowest fuel consumption (combined), Europe: 4.3 lt/100 km (1.6 TDI)
Fuel economy (combined) USA: 33 mpg (2.0 TDI)
Engine specifications:all petrol engines are charged TSI engines (except 2.5-litre engine forUSA); all diesels are new common rail TDI engines; all engines meetEuro-5 emissions standard; all US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV
Debut of original Beetle: 1938
Debut of New Beetle: 1998
Total units built to date: more than 22.5 million
Designers:Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand), Exterior: Marc Lichte(team leader), Cris Lesmana, Nisan Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski(team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour and trim: Oona Scheepers (teamleader), Susanne Gerken Exterior dimensions: 4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm
width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbase
Cargo capacity: 310 litres