2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Anniversary Edition Review
June 15, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 VW New Beetle Anniversary Edition Review & Road Test
Who said black and white was boring?
Model Tested:
- 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Anniversary Edition 1.6 litre four cylinder petrol $27,990 (Manual) / $30,290 (Auto) – as tested
Options:
- Sunroof $1,890
Competent & Reliable, Cheeky Character, Limited Build Volume
Fuel Economy, Lacks Power, Rear Seat & Boot Space, Aging Design
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
The New Beetle has been quite a success story for Volkswagen since its inception in 1998. Paving the way for a veritable retro car revival, the Golf based reproduction of the world’s most iconic mass produced car lead the charge for a healthy souk of contemporary classics.
Modern Minis, fresh Fiat 500s, pimped PT Cruisers, and even mighty Monaros have all made a return in recent years with varying degrees of accomplishment.
But before all of them it was the trend setting New Beetle, with its heart warming character and instantly recognisable shape that proved it was by far it was to be the most popular retro reproduction.
With that in mind, Volkswagen decided to celebrate the new Bug’s tenth birthday (which incidentally marks 70 years of the original Beetle) with an Anniversary Edition. A bounty of extra additions to an already well kitted car has made the package a worthy investment over that of the standard model.
In addition to the standard feature list, the Anniversary Edition gains 17” Versus alloy wheels, a Superleggera-esque black side stripe, sports suspension, fog lamps and cruise control, as well as a raft of white stitched black leather and vinyl.
Leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped gear knob, leather wrapped handbrake grip, leatherette (vinyl) sports seats and matching white bordered carpet floor mats all for just $2,000 more than the regular recommended retail price.
Built in VW’s Puebla Plant in Mexico, you can have an Anniversary Edition in any colour you want, so long as it’s Campanella White. Mated with a Black Magic painted roof and wing mirrors, the two primary tones contrast one another effectively to further highlight the sporty retro-futurist design, as Volkswagen put it.
I first drove the New Beetle in Ikon and Turbo guise quite some years back and must pass comment that this variant does indeed feel considerably slower than either of those two models, leading me to believe I was perhaps quite spoiled back then. This version, for one quite obvious reason, is a little more relaxed in the pace department.
The funky white Bug is powered by a 1.6 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine which produces a rather modest 75kW @ 5,600rpm and 148Nm of torque @ 3,800rpm. This translates to a competent but unenthusiastic performer who although happy enough to keep with the steady flow of city traffic does not like being heavily loaded and will certainly not win you any races, especially when overtaking.
What it does do incredibly well however is perform honestly for years on end. Being such a well proven engine, the humble 1600’s trusted reliability means that although it’s a little slower than some of its competitors, it’s also very unlikely to ever present any real issues, which in my books is a good attribute to have on your side.
Fuel consumption is a little higher than preferable in today’s climate and at 10.0 litres / 100km (combined) is unlikely to challenge similarly sized rivals at the pump. It’s no surprise given the comparatively heavy body the Bug is forced to lug around and I did find that in a week of very conservative driving, this figure was very hard to break.
Despite its weight, which is considerable primarily because of the amount of safety built in to the car, the Anniversary Edition handles rather well, thanks in part to the bonus of grippy sports tuned suspension.
Cornering is a controlled and reasonably well balanced affair even over mid-corner lumps and bumps, and despite such a high stance body, the Bug presents minimal body roll. The comfort offered is also quite impressive and not nearly as stiff as you’d expect from a sporty riding car which allows an enjoyable ride to see and be seen in.
As with all New Beetles the body shape dictates quite tight rear seat accommodation, especially in the headroom department and the boot space on offer is also quite minimalist at 209 litres.
You may also wish to bear in mind that it a dedicated four-seater which could see one of your friend’s in a cab, though I’m sure with the looks and personality exuded most buyers won’t mind.
So if you’re prepared to sacrifice a little in the way of size, zip and economy for a safe, reliable and good looking ride that boasts character and just so happens to be a little fun, then perhaps the Anniversary Edition is for you.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go: 
Specifications:
- Engine: 1595cc four cylinder OHC 8 valve
- Power: 75kW @ 5,600rpm
- Torque: 148Nm @ 3,800rpm
- Transmission: Five Speed Manual / Six Speed Auto
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Disc with ABS & EBD
- Top Speed: 179 km/h (Manual) / 175 km/h (Auto)
- 0-100km/h: 11.6 secs (Manual) / 13.2 secs (Auto)
- 0-400m: Not Tested
- Fuel Consumption: 9.5 (Manual) / 10.0 (Auto)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
- Fuel Type: 95 RON Unleaded Petrol
- NCAP Rating: Four Stars
- Safety: Front & Side Airbags
- Spare Wheel: Space Saver
- Tow Capacity: 1,000kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
- Warranty: 3 year / 100,000 kilometre
- Weight: 1,237kg (Manual) / 1,267kg (Auto)
- Wheels: 17 x 7.0” Alloy
Print it: 
It’s hard to believe that design is 10 years old… just think, that was around the age VT Commodores were introduced.
It seems fairly modern when you think about it like that.
looks ok those. For some reason i feel that car only look good on a female driver.
From the review. Negatives – Fuel Economy, Lacks Power, Rear Seat & Boot Space, *** Aging Design ***
‘Aging Design’? Are you guys serious? :-)
The design has not changed in any significant way since Adolf commissioned it before WWII. Nor does it really need to. Although, for mine, why you would actually buy one is anybody’s guess….
Holy moly, that fuel consumption is ridiculous!
i woulkd rather a vw up [if it ever gets produced] but ewww vinyl seats
The leatherette vinyl is the most authentic retro touch of all. At least you can sponge all the dried, yellow sweat off the seats without worrying about leather dressing.
I bought an Ikon 2.0 litre in mid 2004 for commercial reasons ONLY and couldn’t wait to trade out of it. It was my biggest mistake ever. Dumb engine, dumb suspension and dumb practicality.
It does have its attractions, though. If anyone out there just HAS to get one, make it the turbo diesel. That way, you’re making it as smart as it can get.
Let’s wait for the UP! O.
10/100km from a 1.6l engine. =/ That’s terrible when you think about the competition. Seems that this car is for looks only!
Also, can you please include high-res shots, not four shots stuck together in one tiny picture? Those smaller shots are only like 350 X 250 pixels! Tiny!
Some how my mind says MINI Cooper instead! :)
^Would anybody else?
10 litres/100Ks is disgusting! that’s real world Corolla fuel consumption…….VW just got lazy!!!
Mini is more expensive, and the quality of the minis is not the best. At least the earlier ones.
But hands down better looking and better driving, not to mention more economical.
Are VW going to update this beetle, or keep it going for another 60 years?
VW have such an awesome range of drivetrains, why don’t they put those in the beetle? That is disgraceful power and fuel economy.
Quit whining about the fuel economy – they’ve jut used an authentic (old) engine to match the authentic seats and looks.
^Agreed thats why VW put it back on the market.
I have a soft spot for this car. Probably because its beyond cute and it gets alot of bad press. Its also the only car that you can drive around with the fog lights on without looking like a wanker!
Jez I’ve heard the new VW Beetle will be Rear-Engine, Rear-Wheel-Drive, based on the new VW Up platform.
Flying High:”The design has not changed in any significant way since Adolf commissioned it before WWII.”
How about moving the air cooled engine from the rear to front and changing it’s cooling method. Also originaly it was a practical and economical car for the masses, now it’s more of a overpriced pose vehicle…
Also originaly it was a practical and economical car for the masses, now it’s more of a overpriced pose vehicle…
Well, the “masses” in Germany did not own one of these vehicles until many, many years after the end of WW2. The masses could barely afford to feed themselves in post-war Germany.
And furthermore, the original design with rear engine was an absolute death trap, and the sound of the engine was always disgusting to me. Probably why I can’t stand the sound of Subarus either.
These days when I see a Beetle it reminds me again of the childhood trauma suffered while being transported in one of them. When my parents got a Hillman Minx, we moved to motor vehicle heaven. (And I say that in full knowledge of what early Hillmans with Lucas electrics were like, which was not very good )
why did they give it the 1.6L? pretty poor
What’s the crash rating for this little thing? 5 star EuroNCAP?
You see some flowers on the dash (haning out of the the air-conditioning vents on the dashboard centre stack) on some VW beetle’s, whats that? Standard on some VW Beetle’s?
The flower I believe is standard on all of them. Some people are just too embarresed to drive around with it showing.
Ah, but let me tell you guys about the flowers! They’re standard and they rest in a little vase that clips into its own special possie on the dash. I insisted on mine, much to the salesman’s surprise when I noted he was omitting it on the delivery, simply because it’s standard.
There’s a historical context as well. Accessory flower vases were available on Beetles from 1959, and were quite popular.
Good read, though I agree, I think the car has had its day. And in reading other comments, what’s wrong with the pics? I can see them fine, you do know that if you click on them they open bigger right? Maybe you just need a bigger monitor?
Jez – “Holy moly, that fuel consumption is ridiculous! ”
Well 10 year design 10 year engine technology… lol
Take a 2 generation old VW Golf, remove the boot, two doors and any other practicality for that matter.
Then charge a premium & you’ll have the cafe set oxygen bandits knocking down your door.
Despite all the negatives, I’d still rather drive this than a Camry :)
It makes people smile, you’d get the odd admiring look, and most importantly…. chicks dig it!
I wonder if they smell the same as the old beetles with the vinyl seats. All it needs is lap belts only in the front and I might just buy one for nostalgic reasons.
Maybe a 2.0L TDI with a DSG gearbox would revive the old girl, but adding a couple of extras will not.
However I’m with Foggy on this one I cannot see myself buying an “Old” Beetle but, “I’d still rather drive this than a Camry”.
Reckless1, I ment thats what the original beatle was inteded to be, and judging from the fact that up until fairly recently it was still being manufactured in MEXICO, i say i did the job fairly well!!
Lets not forget, that the original beatle is actully not that original at all, it’s a TATRA T97 Knock off!!
Got to admire VW pushing this old thing out still, too impractical for most, and that fuel economy is outrageous. It’s obviously under powered, now what it really needs is a 2litre turbo. Woof!
I do however really admire the soft top version. one of the nicest softies on the road today. Well classy.
Want cool and fun? Buy a new Fiat 500. $30K driveaway, 5 Star NCAP, 7.1L/100km.
I think this car is very nice and with personality. In Mexico it has the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder engine which I believe is comfortable and capable if not particularly quick. The New Beetle is well priced in Mexico and it sells better than the Mini. This version is outstanding in my humble opinion, the whole limited stock has already been sold in Mexico!
Nice looking car! Love the black glass-look roof!
Andrew – and the Fiat comes with the bullet proof Reliability as well.
check out those servicing cost and the resale value of a fiat as well. well, you probably won’t be able to check the resale valued cos they are new in australia…
I’ve got a 2000 model, 2 litre version of the beetle. It does an average 8.3 litres / 100 kms. Why is the 1600 so apparently un-economical? For the knockers above, I don’t think it was ever really inteded to be a practical family car or a sports car, its just fun. And Andrew, surely no one in their right mind would spend 30 grand on a Fiat 500 no matter how good the economy was. Have you seen one?!