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2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

Research the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

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David Zenlea - by , , , | Photographs by: Courtesy of Manufacturer
I didn't spend much time in the Beetle Turbo but it doesn't take much time behind the wheel to appreciate VW's spunky 2.0-liter turbo four. The turbo spools up quickly -- all 207 lb-ft of torque are available at an insanely low 1700 rpm -- but progressively so acceleration is instantaneous but easily controllable. My only criticism after driving the Beetle is that, like the Passat, the throttle requires a fair bit of concentration and a controlled touch to take off gradually from a stop.
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Since the Beetle and I didn't see the light of day together, I had some time to evaluate its interior lighting. The gauges are crisp and bright and the backlit controls on the thin-rimmed steering wheel make the little Beetle feel a bit more mature. The backlit controls on the center stack are easy to find and use at night but aren't so bright that they are distracting. The red accent lighting that peaks out under the body-colored window ledge and that frames the circular door-mounted speakers is less successful. It looks cool, but it doesn't throw any light so it serves no functional purpose. I can appreciate the coolness factor but I think it would be money better spent -- and this particular Beetle is nearly $30 grand -- if it also provided some ambient lighting for the doors and footwells. Jennifer Misaros, Managing Editor, Digital Platforms
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I was never really drawn to the Volkswagen New Beetle, mostly because I'm a 23-year-old guy and the car was known as, ahem, a vehicle for ladies. After all, it had a standard flower vase and optional petal-shaped wheels -- not for me. It's exactly those kinds of stereotypes that Volkswagen hopes to avoid with the 2012 Beetle, and the 200-hp Turbo model is the most dude-oriented of the bunch. The transformation has worked so well that I actually like the new car. Much of the credit goes to the revamped styling, which is now considerably more muscular than the pert New Beetle. I'm also impressed by how much interior room has improved: I can now sit in the back seat without contorting my neck (I'm about five-foot-eight), and the cargo area is as capacious as any other hatchback. Even more alluring is the way this Beetle drives, thanks to the fact it uses many of the same mechanical bits as a Volkswagen GTI. The Beetle Turbo is a quick little car with decent handling to boot. I still wouldn't buy one, but I have at least gained some respect for the modern VW Bug. Jake Holmes, Associate Web Editor
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I was all prepared to write how swell the Beetle Turbo is considering that it's basically a de-contented, less expensive GTI. Only trouble is that it's not really cheaper than the GTI - a negligible $300 difference in base price. The Beetle has a hard dashboard with a rather unconvincing faux carbon fiber insert. It also lacks the GTI's LCD touch-screen and has cheap plastic shift buttons instead of the GTI's metal paddles. Of course, these will seem like small potatoes to someone who's head-over-heels in love with the Beetle styling, something the GTI will never be able to match. But I'm left to wonder about the wisdom of going to the dealership, looking at two very similar $24,000 cars, and driving away in the one that clearly has a cheaper interior. David Zenlea, Assistant Editor
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I'm not buying into the idea that the Beetle is masculine. The last Beetle was just so effeminate that there was nowhere to take the design other than a little towards the masculine end of the spectrum, which still relegates this nameplate to chick car status in my mind. Sure, the 2.0t engine is available but the Beetle can't keep up with a GTI on a track and it isn't significantly cheaper than a GTI. It's disappointing that VW thinks it can sell a Beetle Turbo and GTI here at the same time but not a GTI and a Scirocco. While the Beetle does a lot of things well, I don't see what it has to offer that a Golf/GTI doesn't except more feminine styling. Phil Floraday, Senior Web Editor
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2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo MSRP (with destination): $24,165
PRICE AS TESTED: $29,865 ENGINE:
2.0-liter turbocharged I-4
Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm TRANSMISSION:
6-speed automatic DRIVE:
Front-wheel WHEELS AND TIRES:
18-inch aluminum wheels
235/45HR-18 Bridgestone Turanza tires FUEL ECONOMY (city/highway/combined):
22/30/25 mpg CURB WEIGHT:
3089 lb CAPACITIES:
Doors/Passengers: 2/4
Cargo (rear seats up/down): 15.4/29.9 cu ft
Legroom (front/rear): 41.3/1.4 in
Headroom (front/rear): 39.4/37.1 in
Towing: N/A EXTERIOR/INTERIOR COLOR:
Tornado Red/Black STANDARD FEATURES:
6-speed manual transmission
Cloth seats
18-inch aluminum wheels
Stability and traction control
Tire pressure monitoring system
Air conditioning
Titl-and-telescopic steering column
Cruise control
Bluetooth
Keyless entry and ignition
50/50 split rear folding seat
Front fog lights
Rear spoiler OPTIONS ON THIS VEHICLE:
Sunroof, sound, and navigation- $5700
Power sunroof
Fender premium sound system
Navigation system
Leather seats
6-speed DSG automatic transmission- $0 KEY OPTIONS NOT ON THIS VEHICLE:
None ADDITIONAL SPECS:
VW claims the Beetle Turbo goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. COMPARE TO:
Hyundai Veloster, Mini Cooper, Scion tC

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MITSUMAN1
MITSUMAN1

I totally agree with everyone! why in the hell is the bug turbo so damb expensive this should have been loaded for 25k only huge mistake on vw's part and sales will show that. the young male population cant afford 30k for a bug thats STUPID marketing on vw part!

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