2012 Volkswagen Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition

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By Brett Davis | June 15th, 2011

Volkswagen has launched a new sporty version of the just-released new Beetle, called the Volkswagen Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition. The model will only be available in the US via Volkswagen’s online Vehicle Pre-Order program.

The Black Edition comes equipped with the 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It offers similar performance to the GTI, with a punchy 147kW of power and 280Nm of torque on tap. The Black also comes standard with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission for added sportiness.

Other bespoke features include 18-inch chrome and black highlighted alloy wheels, red brake calipers, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility and a sporty interior with new seats.

The outside has also been treated to a number of sporty accents, including a racy ‘Turbo’ decal down the side of the car and a subtle boot lip spoiler added at the rear.

The Volkswagen Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition will go to the first 600 customers who order the specific trim level, available from US$24,950 ($23,400).

The new Volkswagen Beetle is set to arrive in Australia in the first half of next year. Are you looking forward to the new model? And do you think a special edition, sports model would do well here in Australia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Robert

Adolf would be stoked if he saw this

GG

Robert, you’re an idiot.

UMWHAT

if i wanted a fast Beetle I’d get the Audi TT RS
Neil M

Looks a lot like a Porsche!
Cam

Is the flower vase in Brembo red?

Jober As A Sudge

It’s part of the performance pack…10% lighter too!

Octavian

It’s Herbie’s nemesis.
john

So about $50 000+ in Australia seen as how we always get ripped off over here if it is gets released here.
talk then think

That turbo sticker gives it a few KW more.

Handsome_Al

And in red it goes faster too…

PeterG

Pass the Baygon
MW

Oh how I wish it’s $23,400 in Australia!
Lox

Turbo decal look naff.
mick

If they sold in Australia at that price [$23,400},I would be very interested!

john

$23400 you have to be joking. We prop up there profit margin. Have a look at Harley Davidson ,our dollar is worth more than there’s but has the price of there bikes come down? HELL NO !!! You can get a HD ride away for $17500 over there, here its is $28000 for the same bike. It is complete rubbish how we are constantly being robbed blind.

bangel

More like $40k plus on roads , only place the beetle sells well is in the US , who as we all know have weird taste in cars .
John N

You want to feel even worse about that $28K AUS Harley you’re buying, which you will probably continue to pay $28K for? It will now very likely be assembled in India at less than a tenth of the assembly cost. That boat ride downunder is $$. Ah the penalties of living on an island.

The Beetle for the US market is manufactured in Puebla, MX. Even at $24,950, that’s not cheap for what you’re getting these days. VW is seriously de-contenting US market cars to get their prices down to stay competetive with Hyundai and Toyota. Beam axles, drum brakes, much lower quality interior materials, old engines…. careful what you ask for. My current German built VW W8 is likely my last new VW.
aLo

I must be running a fever, I actually like.
Greasy

I’ll consider putting a black rose in the dashboard flower vase to make it more manly, would that help..?
Dave S

Looking at that Beetle. I would not be too happy if I was Porsche. It looks far to close to the look of early 911′s.

Dave S

It says “I dont have enough money to buy a real Porsche, so this will have to do.”

Xave H

It is such an improvement on the old Beetle. That thing looked and drove like a piece of S*#T!

It really reminds me of a porsche Cayenne Turbo for some weird reason. I also think porsche have right to be a bit angry as it also reflects the porsche RSR with the old fashion styled rear wing.
中国小人物

如果中国人挣的也是美元，2万多的甲壳虫简直就是神话了，在中国就是买辆再烂的车也要3万多。而一辆2万多的甲壳虫，到了中国，加上换算和运费，是16.7万，而加上运费，我估计最起码在25-30万了，天理何在？

john

??
mike

Konichiwah, good sir. Now what do you gotta say about the Beetle? I’m one of the 600 preorders, welcome kit is in the mail ; ). A few gripes: this limited turbo feautures exclusive black pearl paint and a few other bells and whistles. It has “sport cloth” seats (why not leather?) and comes only with DSG automatic, no manual transmission options. Also, no navigation display : (. I called VW, and they pretty much said “whatever”. I will hang on to my preorder, as it is easily refundable until September. Gives me a loooooong time to figure out if this Turbo Limited will be for me.

Drew

I love the lower roofline and the Porsche appeal. In regards to the the US price this is without the TAXES. Hence why it seems so cheap. I’m happy to stick with the 4doors of a GTI.

中国小人物

Drew，你懂中文？呵呵，很高兴得到你的回复。在你们美国，工作一年可以挣好几辆甲壳虫，要工作好几年才能买一辆，唉。。。

john

?

中国小人物

Oh, I can understand the words? Sorry, my English is not good, I am a Chinese, the old Beetle sold more than 200,000 in China, the new Beetle came out in the U.S. you sell 24,800, plus various fees, we sell at least 20 Chinese more than one million yuan. We here a year per capita income of 50,000 count it. Oh. . . Come here and complain. Hope you American friends Bie Jianguai.
http://newbeetle2012.org/ Brian Cooke

It looks like they squashed the bug :’( its a cool car but doesn’t look like a beetle anymore