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| The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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19-04-2011, 09:31 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Q..10kms west of Rocky...
Posts: 8,307
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Volkswagen introduced its all-new Beetle design in New York today. It is only the third version of the car originally commissioned by Adolph Hitler almost 90 years ago to be Germany's answer to Ford's Model-T and a tool to cement allegiance from working class Germans.
Despite its sinister beginnings, the Beetle became one of the most enduring automotive icons of the last century, as well as arguably the most "loved" car in America. Volkswagen is again looking to the Beetle to stir up emotions and sales, and lead Americans back into VW showrooms as the company pushes to be one of the most dominant import makes in the U.S. in the company of Honda, Toyota and Nissan. "The U.S. is the most important market for Beetle, and it is a critical part of the new chapter we are trying to write for Volkswagen in the U.S. and worldwide," said Jonathan Browning, chief executive of Volkswagen of America. The 2012 Beetle is bigger than both its predecessors. In fact, it's more than three inches wider and six inches longer than the previous New Beetle. It is also slightly lower to the ground. Under the hood, the standard engine is a 2.5 liter, producing 200 horsepower, with turbo-charged 2.0 liter gas and diesel engines offered as well. The New Beetle TDI (diesel) is expected to get 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway, with a combined fuel economy of 33 mpg. Both an automatic and manual transmission will be offered. The sleeker, sportier version of the Beetle, a departure from the New Beetle introduced in 1998, was created to not only broaden the car's appeal in the U.S., but also to be a bigger seller in China and Europe. Style That is Womb-like Starting with the original and continuing with the first reinterpretation launched in 1998 -- the "New Beetle" -- the ovoid car has always been a lovable study in arches and circles. Some psychologists even posit that our love of the Beetle has to do with feeling like we are back in the womb. This 21st century design continues in that tradition (how could it not if it's to be called Beetle?), but with some attention to styling that is meant to attract more men to the car than the last model. The 1999 New Beetle was so bulbous in appearance, it was practically the vehicular interpretation of a breast. And men, it turns out, may like a breast, but they don't much want to be caught driving one. More than 70% of the New Beetle buyers were women. "We started with the original Beetle for inspiration in the studio," says Volkswagen chief designer Klaus Bischoff. "We started from scratch, not from the New Beetle and created a much sportier, more masculine car." The hope is that the new Beetle will also lure younger buyers. The average age buyer for the 1999 New Beetle was also old enough to have driven one of the originals to Woodstock. Now that Baby Boomers who grew up as kids with original Beetles are well into their fifties and older, this New Beetle needs to attract some of the American Idol generation -- the ones that say "Who?," when a contestant is compared with Janis Joplin.
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CSGhia Last edited by csv8; 08-06-2011 at 10:48 AM. |
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19-04-2011, 09:40 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,312
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looks the same as the previous 'new beetle'... that is: ugly
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My ride: 2007 Falcon Ute BF XR8 Orange, MTO. |
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19-04-2011, 09:53 AM
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NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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Really not all that new is it?
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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19-04-2011, 10:01 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Q..10kms west of Rocky...
Posts: 8,307
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Quote:
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CSGhia |
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19-04-2011, 10:40 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,921
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Quote:
  Have you ordered your new Silk VE Calais yet? |
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19-04-2011, 12:36 PM
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ive been 4490'd
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: essendon
Posts: 1,540
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Quote:
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19-04-2011, 07:33 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,921
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Quote:
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19-04-2011, 12:12 PM
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Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica  | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWDProud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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19-04-2011, 01:06 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Q..10kms west of Rocky...
Posts: 8,307
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Quote:
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CSGhia |
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21-04-2011, 11:17 AM
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Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 317
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Quote:
As for the beetle, trying to look like a 911 in the front? |
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19-04-2011, 10:07 AM
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The 'Stihl' Man
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,584
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That looks heaps better than the old one, more streamline and modern...
Dont know about the womb comment though..that would put me off...LOL
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19-04-2011, 06:18 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ipswich, Qld
Posts: 1,354
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Quote:
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----------------------------------------------------- 2012 Focus ST Tangerine Scream Continually having a battle of wits with unarmed opponents. Sez  Photo's by Sez |
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19-04-2011, 10:09 AM
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Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ::1
Posts: 4,224
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still not a car that I like but it does look more mature and refined.
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"Aliens might be surprised to learn that in a cosmos with limitless starlight, humans kill for energy sources buried in sand." - Neil deGrasse Tyson |
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19-04-2011, 10:17 AM
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Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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It looks sooo much better! From every angle! Sit this one and the previous, next to each other, and this one looks fairly different...
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Rides: -Toyota Blade Master G. -Ford G6ET (that will be for sale) |
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19-04-2011, 10:27 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 727
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Looks pretty good to me - 2.5 litre, alleged 200 horsepower at the back, turbo option - can it go round a corner - can some of the goodies filter down from Porsche, brake packages etc.
This may be something to keep an eye on. |
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19-04-2011, 10:35 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Posts: 752
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19-04-2011, 11:17 AM
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Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ::1
Posts: 4,224
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Quote:
Porsche are now leading development of all sports cars and big luxury sedans within the VW group. http://www.worldcarfans.com/11012082...cars-and-large
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"Aliens might be surprised to learn that in a cosmos with limitless starlight, humans kill for energy sources buried in sand." - Neil deGrasse Tyson |
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19-04-2011, 12:10 PM
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Ute Forum Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melb
Posts: 7,227
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19-04-2011, 06:06 PM
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Get EcoBoosted
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NSW: Newcastle, Sydney & Wollongong
Posts: 1,876
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Quote:
Overall I much prefer it over the previous model, but that said I don't really care about it either way! lol |
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19-04-2011, 06:20 PM
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Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 36
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hmmf.
At least it isn't based on a '97 Golf platform anymore, I assume. Still it will be a ridiculously overpriced retro pussbucket and the wannabee yuppies will lap it up. Just like the last one. |
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19-04-2011, 07:09 PM
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#21 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Posts: 752
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19-04-2011, 07:44 PM
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Ich bin ein auslander
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Loving the Endorphine Machine
Posts: 7,453
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At least they are getting rid of that stupid flower sticking out of the dash.
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Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional! |
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19-04-2011, 09:17 PM
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Formerly All Wheel Drive
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 312
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Looks like its been squished down a bit. The back end treatment has a bit of a 'Chrysler Crossfire' look to it. Will be interesting to see how well it sells.
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2015 MD Ford Mondeo Trend TDCi wagon in Ruby Red. |
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20-04-2011, 01:39 AM
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Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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I drove one of the 1999 models in 2002 and it was, err, interesting to drive and be seen in
 The dashboard was weird where the front of it appeared to be so far away from the windscreen.
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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20-04-2011, 09:54 AM
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#25 | ||
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_Oo===oO_
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,305
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The 'corporate' opening on the front bumper reminds me of the Beetles I used to see kicking around when I was a kid (the opening is located where the small chrome/black plastic bumpers used to sit)
I reckon this model looks more expensive and sporty than the last one which looked cheap and cheerful. |
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20-04-2011, 09:58 AM
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#26 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: On The Footplate.
Posts: 5,086
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I'll take an oval window fitted with chromed early Porsche pressed steel wheels with a four port motor loaded with a hot cam and a couple of downdraft Webers, thank you...
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21-04-2011, 04:25 PM
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#27 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,421
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Meh, I think it's lost the plot a bit... and looking a bit tired already.
Just seems that there are no really "clasic lines" like the original. You know what I mean? LOL kind of looks stubby, agreed on the womb - nothing like this thing below 
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21-04-2011, 04:36 PM
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#28 | ||
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The 'Stihl' Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,584
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LOL.../plug
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22-04-2011, 12:39 AM
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#29 | ||
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re
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Victoria - where being slow & incompetent is considered being "safe"
Posts: 1,323
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Yank magazines reckon that there will be an R type version. But it will be Sirroco R (FWD) rather than Golf R (aWD)
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Scuderia Rev: Otto the tow pig - 2007 3.0 litre Coupé, vernünftig schnelle aber kein peilstab, Bathurst 2007 und 2010 zwölf Stunde Gewinner Jaffa the angry ant - mid 70's Honda 市民の, 73 と立方インチ LSD Elle "the body" shell - early 70's Datsun フェアレディ coupe. いい体は彼女の内側、内側と土台を待つ |
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VW New Beetle
Re: VW New Beetle
Hybrid Mode