2013 Volkswagen Beetle lands in Australia | CarAdvice

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle lands in Australia

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
By Alborz Fallah
FIND DEALS

The new Volkswagen Beetle has made its Australian debut at the Sydney Motorshow this morning, ahead of its local launch early next year.

The new Beetle comes two years after production of the old New Beetle ended, having started in 1998. It sold more than one million units during its lifespan and Volkswagen has been hard at work creating the new one.

The company says the design of the new Volkswagen Beetle is a new original, arguing that original designs such as the Coke bottle, iPhone, Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses and the Beetle, are so recognizable that a reinvention has to be something extraordinary without losing the originality.

From the outside it’s certainly recognizable as a Volkswagen Beetle, but portrays a more modern look and feel, with much more masculinity to it than before.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle will only be available with a 1.4 litre TSI twincharged petrol engine that offers 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque. This marks the first use of this TSI engine in a Beetle and Volkswagen will offer the vehicle either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission.

Volkswagen Australia will release full details, specifications and pricing for the new Beetle early next year.


 
  • CharlesB

    I have a feeling it was delayed here  because in overseas markets the Beetle undercuts the Golf. However it would be hard for VW Australia to price this below the 77tsi Golf which retails in the low $20′ks.

    Hence they delayed releasing this until the new generation Golf hits the market so they can price the new Golf higher or remove the entry models and then slot this underneath that price wise.

    I also wonder if Mercedes recent announcment of the cheaper A class is has affected VW pricing strategy. Perhaps this is why they are delaying price on this car till next year too.
     
    intresting times ahead for the premium small car/hatch market segment!

    • Huwtm

      Premium, you really think it deserves to be a premium hatch? I like the look of it, reminiscent of one of the original prototypes. It doesn’t look to up market inside though. In Europe they refer to it as a Coupe, no problem with that at all. I wonder about it’s longevity though, and this isn’t aimed just at VW, but any of the current crop of cars, with small engines and turbos. I know some Turbos are becoming expensive service items that need periodic replacement. So, just wondering?

      • Zaccy16

        Its alot more premium the the horrible previous version!

        • Huwtm

          That is true, more like a real car than a toy or a woman’s boudoir, still doesn’t have a flow to it, but I could live with it. I think it should be high teens, low twenties. But probably won’t be.

          • Zaccy16

            yeah it should be about 20,000 but my prediction is $23,000/24,000

      • CharlesB

        Read my post again, i never directly said it was premium.

        However this particular cars pricing is affected by cars higher up in its market segment which are marketed as premium.

        And yes VW is aiming and marketing the Golf as a premium  car compared to its japanese and korean rivals. Though of course anyone with half a brain knows the Golf is a humble family taxi in europe. Though  I wonder where VW will go when proper premium brands with more badge cred start competing within its current pricing market. Hence the Mercedes A class lobbing in at $35k is a game changer!

        • Huwtm

          Fair enough, VW have been pushing their prices lower. You bring up an interesting point, and I don’t think Australians see the VW brand as any where near comparable to MERC. I think VW would lose that fight, if they tried to take it on. As was said, “perception is everything”, what people would perceive is the abillity to get themselves into something UP MARKET. Which is where a lot of people want to be these days. Can’t beat badge snobbery.

  • Paul

    Very nice, can’t wait until the R version comes out.

  • Alexandra Kim

    So exactly how much will this be in Australia???

  • Mandi

    Does anyone know when exactly it will be arriving in Australia? I also read awhile ago that we weren’t getting the cabrio- is this true?

  • Andy

    Fingers crossed the diesel makes it to australia!

  • VWlady

    I saw 4 of these driving along the other day – and promptly rang my VW dealer and asked whether they were heading there.  Turns out the dealer staff were test driving them ahead of their release in the next couple of weeks.  I LOVED my 2002 beetle and was very sad to see it go when I had kids.  Kids are now big enough to not need prams/carseats so my name is ‘on the list’ to check this new baby out!  (personally I liked the look of the previous model better).  AND of course the burning question, does this 2013 model have a vase??

    • huwtm

      That would be a NO to the vase. It is on this occasion meant to appeal to men as well. Generally have a more coupe look.