Volkswagen Beetle 2012 Spec and Review

Volkswagen Beetle 2012
Volkswagen unveiled the official pictures of the third generation Beetle. The Volkswagen Beetle 2012 will have its global debut at the New York Auto Show along with the the overseas Auto Show in Shanghai and Berlin.
The new Beetle is sportier, offering both turbo-charged TDI® Clean Diesel and turbo-charged gasoline engines, in addition to dual exhaust, performance-handling packages, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and new, sleeker styling.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen Beetle 2012

Wolfsburg / Shanghai / Berlin / New York – When the first Beetle rolled off the production line, it was called simply the Volkswagen — “the people’s car” — but its distinctive shape inspired nicknames across the globe: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫! In total, 21.5 million cars were sold.
More than 60 years later, in 1998, the “New Beetle” rekindled the spirit and imagination of the original to a new generation of Volkswagen owners. The second generation version sparked another round of uplifting and joyous enthusiasm known as Beetle Mania.
Today, the Beetle opens a new chapter in its remarkable story. The third generation of the internationally beloved Beetle is celebrating a transcontinental world debut simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York.

Updating an icon

Only someone who knows and respects the Beetle’s heritage could produce a new generation of this storied vehicle. The task for Volkswagen engineers was clear. They had to develop a modern interpretation of the Beetle, with all the benefits of today’s technologies and efficiencies, and the driving characteristics that define the Volkswagen brand. The result had to remain affordable and stay true to the Beetle’s spirit and great heritage.
The design of the new Beetle presented another challenge. How does one reinvent a look that is so recognizable and unique? Volkswagen Group Design Chief Walter de Silva and Volkswagen Brand Design Chief, Klaus Bischoff, welcomed the task and set an ambitious objective: “Design a new original!”
The designers wanted to develop the new car around the earliest Beetle profile rather than the 1998 New Beetle. They wanted a car that respects the past but looks toward the future. And that is what they created.
Exterior

The 2012 Beetle is an automotive icon reinvented. Placing the original Beetle and the 21^st Century Beetle next to one another, it’s clear that the lines of the rear sections are nearly identical, but the overall look is bolder and more dynamic. The Beetle also breaks free of the design geometry defined by three semi-circles (front wing, rear wing, domed roof above it).
“The Beetle is now characterized by a clean, self-confident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it is also substantially wider, the front hood is longer, the front windshield is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. All of this creates a new dynamism,” explains Klaus Bischoff.
The 2012 Beetle is 71.2 inches wide (3.3 inches wider), 58.5 inches tall (.5 inches lower) and 168.4 inches long (6 inches longer). The new focal point is the C-pillar. The development team also increased the car’s track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension.
Another feature is the rear spoiler that is integrated into the design (standard on 2.0L TSI engines with 200 hp). The top surface of the rear spoiler is black, while the underside is painted in body color.
The Beetle is sportier, offering both turbo-charged TDI® Clean Diesel and turbo-charged gasoline engines, in addition to dual exhaust, performance-handling packages, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and new, sleeker styling. Volkswagen will offer a panoramic roof, a range of audio options, including the Fender® Premium Audio System, and a customization program for the 2012 Beetle with a large number of personalization options, including a wide variety of colors and wraps along with an annual theme model.
Interior

The 21^st Century Beetle offers an agile, driver-oriented coupe experience with a quality of materials that goes beyond all class limits. The car’s styling, ergonomics and quality interact to create a new, friendly car with a highly individual nature.
The shape and use of color in the painted or carbon-look dashboards harkens back to the design of the first Beetle.
Three round instrument gauges are arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) providing all key information at a glance. A multifunction display is integrated in the speedometer in middle position. The steering wheel is specially designed with optional painted accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line.
Framed by two air vents, the selected audio/navigation system is optimally located in the driver’s visual field on the dashboard. Within easy reach, climate controls are situated just below.

Similar to the original Beetle, the new car has an extra glove box integrated into the dash. The lid folds upward, while the standard glove box opens downward. Another classic feature: the optional auxiliary instruments above the selected audio/navigation system: oil temperature, clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge.

The “cathedral ceiling” dome roof of the New Beetle has been replaced with a sleek and sporty roofline. Front and rear passenger headroom remains plentiful. In the rear seating area, the longer roof section results in more space. The trunk is significantly larger, offering 10.9 cubic feet of space. A split-folding rear seat and a wide opening trunk lid ease loading and unloading.
Engine and Transmission

The 2012 Beetle will offer three engines: the 2.5L gasoline five cylinder, the 2.0L TDI® Clean Diesel and the 2.0L TSI® turbocharged gasoline engine. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic on 2.5L models. Volkswagen’s acclaimed DSG® 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered on the TDI Clean Diesel and 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline models, while a 6-speed manual will come standard.
The 2012 Beetle 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever. The quiet, four cylinder 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine produces 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft of torque. It meets all U.S. emission limits and offers manufacturer estimates of 40 mpg highway, 29 mpg city, and 33 mpg combined.
Fuel economy values are also improved up to 10 percent over prior 2.5L five cylinder engine models. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The optional 6-speed automatic offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. The five cylinder engine produces 170 hp and 177 lb.-ft of torque.
The Beetle 2.0L TSI is the sportiest model offered. With 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft of torque, power delivery will remain smooth and direct across the rpm range. The four cylinder turbo engine is estimated to provide 30 mpg highway fuel economy. To ensure that power is applied properly in challenging conditions, the 2.0L TSI model features the XDS® cross differential (limited-slip) system. The system electronically monitors input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage, transfers extra torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction.




Premium Features

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will be available in two trim lines “Design” and “Sport.” Each has a unique character. The Beetle can also be customized with a wide choice of optional features. Key features include:
Radio-CD and radio-navigation systems. Standard in the Beetle is the RCD 310 sound system with 8 speakers (includes dual tuner). The premium VIII top audio system is the RCD 510 with integrated CD changer, interface for SD cards and touchscreen. For the first time ever, navigation will be offered in the Beetle, with the RNS 315 featuring a 5-inch touchscreen, CD player and SD card slot.
Panoramic roof. The transparent, panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof is 80 percent larger than on the previous model. The insulating glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92 percent of heat energy.
Fender Premium Audio System. The 2012 Beetle will also offer concert quality sound with an optional Fender Premium Audio System equipped with an additional subwoofer and 400 watts of output power. Embedded in the vehicle design is proprietary Panasonic® speaker technology. The system covers the cabin with directional sound from front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional speaker designs. It cuts through the noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range for all musical genres. Those choosing this sound system also receive adjustable interior ambiance lighting.
Keyless Access. Volkswagen’s automatic keyless entry and starting system, which allows the driver to operate without a door or ignition key,is appearing for the first time in the Beetle. When one of the front door handles is touched, the system detects access authorization from a transmitter, then unlocks the Beetle and starts the engine with the push of a button.
BI-XENON^TM headlights and LED daytime running lights. For the first time, the Beetle will be offered with Bi-xenon headlights. These will be available on future Beetle models, framing the xenon module on the outer perimeters of the headlights and serving as the daytime running lights and parking lights.
Safety

The 2012 Beetle features both active and passive safety. It includes Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, as are driver and front passenger airbags and Side Curtain Protection® airbags in front and rear.
The 21^st Century Beetle is also covered under the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. All scheduled maintenance is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty – three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, all current Volkswagen vehicles use synthetic oil, which, when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, eliminates the need for a 5,000 mile oil change, and allows owners to go farther between scheduled oil changes.

VW Tiguan facelift by Abt Sportline

Abt Sportline has introduced a new tuning program for the facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan.

Starting with the visual upgrades, the ABT Volkswagen Tiguan facelift features a new front grille, custom door strip attachments, a redesigned rear skirt which also accommodates the exhaust system and a rear wing. The car has also been fitted with a set of light alloy wheels, which can range from 18 to 20 inch and new suspension springs which help maximize stability at high speeds.

Performance smart, ABT has elevated the output on all of the engines readily available for the Volkswagen Tiguan facelift. The Two.-litre TDI engine which evolves either 140 Hewlett packard or 170 Hewlett packard as standard continues to be elevated to 170 Hewlett packard and 195 Hewlett packard correspondingly, as the 2.-litre TSI gas plant, that also is available in two energy stages as standard (180 Hewlett packard and 210 Hewlett packard) continues to be increased to 210 Hewlett packard and 250 Hewlett packard correspondingly.

Press Release

Nice to know you can do more - the new ABT Tiguan

The VW Tiguan is the bestseller of its class in Germany. The brand new version of the versatile compact car continues this impressive story. At ABT Sportsline the car also sets benchmarks as underlined by CEO Hans-Jürgen Abt: "In our SUV range the Tiguan marks the starting point, it is a real lasting success story." Even on its debut in 2007 the ABT Tiguan showed its sporty nature with a powerful and elegant design. "With the new Tiguan we are also focussing on decent but confident style elements", says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The world's largest tuner of vehicles from the Volkswagen group also attaches the upmost importance to the "S" in SUV, as each ABT Tiguan is a bit quicker than the series standard model.
In line with the motto "nice to know that you can do more", the Bavarians present an engine range which has power in abundance. The specification book stated that the characteristics of the Tiguan had to be supported. In plain talk this means that the car should have maximum reliability, enjoyable driving characteristics on almost all surfaces and agility - and the engineers at ABT have done a good job: the successful 2.0 TDI version now offers strong 170 HP/125 kW (series standard: 140 HP/103 kW) or 195 HP/143 kW (series standard: 170 HP/125 kW). With the economical turbo petrol engine with 1.4 litre cubic capacity a dynamic 210 HP (154 kW) is available instead of the standard 160 HP (118 kW). The fact that the fuel consumption does not increase as a result is a matter of course at ABT Sportsline. The sportiest Tiguan is the one with the 2.0-TSI engine. The machinery is currently undergoing extensive testing but the technicians have already revealed that - depending on the series performance - either over 210 HP (154 kW) or as much as 250 HP (184 kW) will be reached.

It is of course clear that the SUV from Bavaria can manage a bit more. "We stand for a confident and classy appearance", explains Hans-Jürgen Abt. The prominent front grill, the door strips, the rear wing set with the pronounced rear muffler and the rear wing give the vehicle optical traction and underline its harmonic design. ABT recommends the new DR alloys which suit the design of the Tiguan, as well as other light metal wheel creations such as the CR which also looks extremely good on the car. It goes without saying that all alloys are also available in combination with high-performance tyres.

The new Tiguan is part of the SUV family of ABT - and like the Touareg, the Q7 and the Q5, as well as the Q3 which is currently still in the starting blocks, the driver can look forward to the fact that his/her car can do a bit more.



The new ABT Tiguan - data and facts

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 2.0 TDI, 1.968 ccm capacity

Performance tuning: ABT POWER

Performance: 170 HP/125 kW (standard: 140 HP/103 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 2.0 TDI, 1.968 ccm capacity

Performance tuning: ABT POWER

Performance: 195 HP/143 kW (standard: 170 HP/125 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 1.4 TSI, 1.390 ccm capacity

Performance tuning: ABT POWER

Performance: 210 HP/154 kW (standard: 160 HP/118 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 2.0 TSI, 1.984 ccm capacity

Performance tuning: ABT POWER

Performance: > 210 HP/154 kW (standard: 180 HP/132 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 2.0 TSI, 1.984 ccm capacity

Performance tuning: ABT POWER

Performance: 250 HP/184 kW (standard: 210 HP/154 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICS

ABT front grill

ABT door strip attachements

ABT rear skirt set with exhaust system

ABT rear wing

ABT SUSPENSION

ABT suspension springs

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGY

ABT designer light alloy wheels in 18 to 20 inch

Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tyres

2012 Volkswagen Beetle - First Drive Review

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 3-door hatchback

BASE PRICES: Beetle, $19,765; Beetle Turbo, $24,165

ENGINE TYPES: DOHC 20-valve 2.5-liter inline-5, 170 hp, 177 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 200 hp, 207 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 99.9 in Length: 168.4 in
Width: 71.2 in Height: 58.5 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3050–3150 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 6.3–7.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.9–15.8 sec
Top speed: 118–130 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 22–24/29–31 mpg

Throughout its 73-year history, the VW Beetle has embodied VW’s “people’s car” philosophy, the original Type 1 becoming more than 21 million people’s car before production finally ceased in Mexico in 2003. It was only during the 12-year term of the New Beetle—introduced in 1998 and discontinued after the final 2010 models—that those people became, by and large, female. In its peak year, the Beetle sold more than 80,000 copies in the U.S., roughly 75 percent of them to women, based on our observation. (The other 25 percent going to very effeminate, very confident, or completely oblivious men.) If VW is to make its goal of moving 800,000 cars in the U.S. by 2018, even a percentage of the 83,434 Beetles sold here in 1999 would be a helpful number to add back into the sales charts.
Thankfully, in designing this generation of Beetle, VW started with the right priority: Reshape the car so that it will appeal to more than just people who can get away with wearing skirts in public (Scots excluded). Gone is the syrupy-cute, large-bubble-eating-a-smaller-bubble look, replaced by a design with a flatter, lower roof, a flatter, longer hood, and tauter sheetmetal that looks like someone popped a pressure-relief valve and bled off a couple dozen psi.


The result is larger than its predecessor—7.3 inches longer, with 1.1 more inches between the wheels, and 3.3 inches wider—and spectacularly retro. It is far more faithful to the original than the last Beetle, right down to the wheel designs and delightful ’70s brown paint. VW seems unlikely to follow our suggestion to call this shade “dung,” therefore denying buyers the option of buying a dung Beetle. However, in homage to the numerous entomological nicknames the vehicle has acquired around the world—Käfer, Coccinelle, Maggiolino, to name a few—VW will offer a variety of the monikers as optional replacements for the standard “Beetle” script on the hatch.
That Was it for the Poop Jokes
There are important practical implications for the new shape in addition to the obvious aesthetic ones. While no longer boasting a top-hat-friendly front row ready for Abe Lincoln and Mr. Peanut’s Sunday drive, the Beetle’s interior still offers a spacious front seat. Even in a car with a sunroof—his mortal enemy—this six-foot, seven-inch scribe fits comfortably behind the wheel. The standard telescoping column’s generous reach is a tremendous aid. The Beetle’s sunroof is huge, but the hole it creates when open is small. Early in their ownership, we expect that many drivers will fiddle with its switch, thinking the roof should open farther. It does, however, slide back far enough to get in the way when the rear hatch is opened, which is why it automatically slides forward three inches when the rear portal’s latch releases.


Assuming all are average size, a quartet of adults can comfortably ride in the Beetle—although those much loftier than average height will find their foreheads locked into a cutout in the trailing edge of the headliner. While it does allow for taller riders, it somewhat uncomfortably forces an upright posture lest you constantly rub your forehead on cloth. On the other hand, the cutout is convenient for sweltering summertime rides when you want to wipe your brow on your friend’s headliner. And the simple manual folding operation of the front seats quickly opens a large passage to the rear, while 15 cubic feet of flower vases will fit beneath the rear hatch. (Capacity swells to 30 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.) Buyers wanting a vase in their Beetle will need a solution similar to this, as there is no longer one mounted on the dash. Good.
Soap Bars and German Cars
Structurally, if you think of the Beetle as a Jetta that has graduated from Soap Bars Anonymous, you won’t be far off. It shares much of that car’s platform, including the U.S.-market version’s torsion-beam rear suspension, although Beetles powered by the optional turbo four use a multilink rear setup like that on the recently announced Jetta GLI. On this early drive, the turbo was the only car available to us. The base engine is VW’s unique 2.5-liter inline-five; both it and the four have the same output in the Beetle as they do in its boxier brethren. The five chalks up 170 hp and 177 lb-ft, while the four squeezes out 200 and 207. Transmission choices with the five are a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, while the turbo gets a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG. A Beetle TDI, with VW’s 140-hp, 236-lb-ft turbo-diesel, will arrive next summer, as will a Beetle convertible. The Beetle R, with a higher-output turbo four making at least 240 hp, will bow sometime later.
Despite being such a familiar engine, the turbo four-cylinder sounds very different in the Beetle than in other Volkswagens, almost five-cylinder-esque. Its familiar surge of power, though, is just as addicting here as in the GTI. Although we appreciate the DSG transmission’s immediate upshifts and rev-matched downshifts, its takeup at part throttle is still frustratingly slow, making for some unnecessarily anxious moments when darting into traffic. It is very eager to upshift in urban commuting, although the seamless shifts mean the driver notices the change in engine note far more than he feels the gear swap.
The base car comes with 17-inch wheels and can be fitted with 18s, while the Turbo includes 18s and offers 19s. The 18-inchers feel about as big as we’d want on this car, with larger impacts bordering on harsh. But the ride is otherwise smooth, with restrained body motions. All Beetles have a strut front suspension with an anti-roll bar, but the Turbo’s bar is 1 mm larger, at 23 mm. In addition, it gets an 18-mm rear anti-roll bar and an optional sportier tune; the base car does without either of these. Regardless, the Beetle is a resolute understeerer. The XDS brake-based “limited-slip” differential is standard on turbo cars.


The steering weight won’t alienate even the frailest of New Beetle customers, but still requires a touch of effort to operate. It rises predictably with speed, and offers enough feedback to satisfy those trading in their GTIs without scaring off old New Beetle buyers. Like the Jetta, the Beetle feels a bit less substantial than other VW products. It’s not terribly flimsy, just a slightly less-solid feel than we’re accustomed to. (Inside, fortunately, the Beetle betrays none of the cost-cutting so evident in the Jetta.) At German-appropriate speeds on the Autobahn, we noted a very German-inappropriate nervousness above 100 mph or so. This will matter to very few buyers in the U.S.
Beetle Hierarchy
What will matter to buyers here is the Beetle’s value. The very cheapest Beetle starts at $19,765 and includes the 170-horse inline-five, the five-speed stick, disc brakes all around, one-touch power windows, cruise control, very attractive cloth seats that fold 50/50 in the rear, and an eight-speaker stereo with an auxiliary input. If you want an automatic, you’ll have to step up to the Beetle 2.5 trim, which starts at $21,665, or $20,565 with the manual. In addition to unlocking the automatic, the 2.5 adds leatherette seats—heated up front—Bluetooth, and a USB input. For $23,065 ($24,165 with an automatic), the Beetle with sunroof adds a glass-covered hole in the roof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, keyless entry and starting, and a touch-screen radio. The priciest among the lower-powered Beetles adds 18-inch wheels, nav, and a Fender-branded audio system for $24,865 ($25,965 with the auto).
Equipment groupings for the Beetle Turbo vary only slightly, with the basic Turbo starting at $24,165 and including 18-inch wheels, fog lights, gloss-black mirror housings, a rear spoiler, supportive sport seats with unique upholstery, and a leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake lever, and aluminum pedals. (The DSG transmission adds $1100 to the price of any Turbo.) For another $3000, you’ll get the sunroof, audio controls and leather on the steering wheel, keyless entry and starting, the touch-screen radio, and the Fender audio. If you want to spend premium-German-brand money on your people’s car, the top-of-the-line car demands $28,765 to add nav and leather seats, as well as dash and door trim wrapped in dead cowskin.

If you think of the Beetle as a recovered soap bar, the treatment was pretty cheap, with prices outpacing similarly equipped versions of VW’s less-stylish hatchback, the Golf and GTI, by about a grand. That seems reasonable to us for a car with scads more panache and a relatively minor drop in practicality. Best of all, the shape doesn’t appeal exclusively to women anymore.
Source : Caranddriver.com

2010 new volkswagen polo more muscular appearance

2010 new volkswagen polo more muscular appearance

The most obvious changes for the new Volkswagen Polo in the exterior because it no longer looks like a girly car”. This stock design is somewhat similar to the Golf and Scirocco, and present the front end is much cleaner front design with Volkswagen called “eagle-see”.

Safety is top notch in the new Polo . Having received a 5-star safety rating from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) as well its European equivalent means you don’t ever have to worry about the safety of yourself or your occupants. A big pat on the back to Volkswagen here for including all the safety features standard across the entire range. That includes six airbags (two front, two side and two curtain), Electronic stabilization program (ESP) incl. anti-lock brakingsystem (ABS) with braking assistant, anti-slip regulation (ASR), electronic limited-slip differential (EDS), engine braking control (MSR) and a more.

2012 Volkswagen Eos Lux Review – Cabriolet reborn

Pros:

• Surprisingly fast acceleration
• Revised styling is more sophisticated
• Refined interior & build quality

Cons:

• Proportions are a bit awkward with the top up
• Automatic hardtop takes patience
• Small trunk space

The last time I even thought about a VW convertible was in high school drooling over the hot blonde cheerleader with a white ’87 Rabbit-based Cabriolet with a matching canvas top. So when my editor called about the Eos I was conflicted. It brought back some fun high school memories but I also had to decide whether I was man enough to drive a chick car. I’m glad I said yes. The Eos represents the top end of the VW convertible line-up, capping the range that will start with the new Beetle soft top and the upcoming Euro-only(for now) 2012 Golf Cabrio soft top. The new VW Eos Lux was fun to drive with the top up or down. Usually the mid-cycle model refresh is focused mostly on the innards with just minor exterior updates, but the 2012 VW Eos received a fairly significant face-lift, and it is all the better for it. Gone are the roundish headlights with the vertically-stretched chrome grille with matching round taillights, and in are the new VW corporate looks both on the front and back. The new design is more sophisticated and less cutesy than the original Eos. The 2.0 turbo four carries over mated to a 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic and Sport mode.


Driving Impressions
Frankly I was not ecstatic about driving the Eos. Playing with the folding hardtop, yes, but driving the FWD 4-banger was not that enticing to me. But I was pleasantly surprised. Drop the gearshift into Sport mode and floor the accelerator, and you’ll be redlining in no time and peeling out. Yes, I was actually burning rubber off the line in this subcompact FWD four-cylinder Eos.
The turbo helps with the boost but the 207 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,800-5,000 RPM makes driving this Eos quite fun. The 200 HP comes at 5,100 RPM and passing cars on the freeway was a breeze. For its size, the Eos is pretty heavy thanks to its 5-piece folding hard top, and 0-60 is pegged at 7.3 seconds. But it feels faster than that. Torque steer is a typical problem with high-power FWD cars, but it’s not too noticeable in the Eos. Guess it doesn’t exactly qualify as “high-power.” But hey, you don’t buy the Eos for the performance. There are plenty of other performance drop tops like the Nissan 370Z or the BMW Z4.

Driving the Eos with the hardtop folded down was fun. Yes, it messes up your hair and no, the rear passengers get a lot of wind in their faces but it’s not that common these days to be able to share a convertible driving experience with 3 other passengers. I was actually able to fit a child seat in the back (after half an hour and lots of curse words) and took my toddler for a ride. He didn’t enjoy it as much as I did (too much wind) but I cant do that in a Z4. The Eos also has a unique sunroof option that is very wide and you can tilt it or open it just like in a hardtop car.




Styling
The 2012 Eos is a significant improvement over the first generation car in terms of exterior appearance. As I mentioned in the intro, the frontend is much more sophisticated looking with the new wide VW corporate grille and Golf-like headlight units. The original rounded headlights with the chrome face grille always disturbed me somewhat. Too cute. The squared-off taillights are also much more expensive-looking than the previous round units. Other than that, the overall proportions and shape of the Eos remain the same.
The lack of the B pillar is great for visibility and gives the Eos a clean profile with the top up. I wish the proportions were better worked out, however, as the Eos seems a bit too short especially with the fast sloping rear window that looks like it’s pushing the entire greenhouse forward. The FWD architecture means a long overhang with the front axle sitting well aft of the engine. The Volvo C70 hardtop convertible also has a long overhang but the longer length and wheelbase of the Volvo give the C70 much better proportions with the top up. The Eos is definitely more attractive with the top down.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
The interior of the 2012 Eos is refined and the quality of the materials is what one can expect from a $39k car. There is leather over most surfaces the driver touches with metallic-appearance accents in all the right places. The Lux and Executive trims also come with burled walnut trim on the dashboard, doors and center console. I don’t even know what burled means but it sounds expensive. 12-way adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar support are also available in the Lux and Executive trims.
The steering-wheel mounted controls are not too overwhelming and allow the driver to mess with a decent amount of phone, voice-control, cruise control, menu options, and the nav/audio touch screen unit on the center console is intuitive and easy to reach. The new VW interior feels rich but not decadent, if that makes any sense. With the folding hardtop up the interior is fairly quiet, you can hardly tell that this car is a convertible. The fit of the roof is impeccable. Visibility out of the sides is fantastic thanks to the missing B pillars.

Value
The base trim Eos Komfort starts at just under $34k, and the top-of-the-range Executive trim starts at just over $39k. The nicely-appointed tester was a mid level Lux trim and MSRPs at a tad over $38k with destination. Its closest competitors are probably the Saab 9-3 convertible and the aforementioned Volvo C70 folding hardtop convertible, both of which are more expensive. The Eos has the lowest starting price of the three and is very competitive even at the Executive trim level. The Volvo C70 has a turbocharged 5 cylinder that produces 27 more horses, but starts out at $39k. The Saab 9-3 also has a 4-cylinder 2.0 liter turbo but is a tad bit slower than the Eos and it starts at just under $40k for the manual and over $41k or the automatic. And it only has a folding soft top.
Drop-Top Cars are Fun
The 2012 Volkswagen Eos is a great little 4-seater convertible. The folding hardtop is fun to watch and reminds me of Transformers. Its unique sunroof that opens up makes this an enjoyable car even when it’s not that warm out. I even had fun driving this FWD with a 2.0 4 cylinder. On top of that it’s a great deal when compared against the Volvo and the Saab. So what if the proportions are a bit awkward with the top up, you wouldn’t see that since you’re having fun cruising down the boulevard. And with the top down, you’d be too busy smiling with the wind in your hair. This VW Eos is a vast improvement over that white Cabriolet the cheerleader drove in high school, but boy do I miss watching her drive by with her other cheerleader friends standing in the back seat holding onto that signature basket handle rollover bar.

	BUILD	INTERIOR	PERFORMANCE	HANDLING	STYLING	VALUE	OVERALL
RATING	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	3.5	3.5	4.0/B

Source : Carrivew.com

2012 VW Beetle with Porsche Styling

VW beetle is new generation of Beetle car. This car has its debut on the Shanghai Auto Show and in the New York Auto Show.

new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will come in 2012 here the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Modification Inspired by the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Of course it will interesting when this Beetle one of new product of Volkswagen and now the modification has ready exist. The design try to follow Porsche 911 GT3 RS that has luxury design and concept. So as a car lover, you might love this Beetle as one of Best Modification of Volkswagen Product.

The exterior makeup is limited for now to Beetle RS graphics finished in orange on either side of the car, the blacked out chrome strips on the lower part of the doors and the front grille, plus the 3M Titanium Brushed wrap for the rear VW logo. The team’s next upgrade will include a 997 GT3 RS-style rear wing.

With the big wheels installed, the front brakes really looked tiny. So we called our friends at APR and ordered up a set of Brembo Stage II front brakes. The kit includes 14" front two-piece cross drilled rotors, four-piston radial mount calipers, aluminum mounting brackets, stainless braided lines and pads. These too bolted right up with no issues and look great filling up the front wheels.

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept debuts at 2011 Worthersee

With the Golf R and Scirocco R already in production, VW is showcasing a concept version of the Golf R Cabriolet at the VW fanboy get-together in Austria, using reaction to inform their decision as to whether or not the car will hit dealers.

The concept features the same treatment that was applied to the standard Golf R model, including a sport chassis that lowers the car’s ride by 25 mm, a 17-inch brake system with internally ventilated discs at all wheels, blue painted high-performance brake calipers, and 19" "Talladega" alloy wheels with size 235 tires. Then the vehicle gets its top ripped off to create a more wind-in-your-hair feel.

The Golf R Cabriolet is anything but a chick car with its 265 horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. It reaches 0-62 mph in less than six seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. According to VW, the Golf R Cabriolet is the fastest open-top Golf, ever.

The interior, Motorsport shell seats in dark blue carbon leather, combined with high-end Nappa leather in “Pure Grey”. The backs of the shell seats are painted in luxurious black piano paint. Upholstery piping and decorative seams provide for colour contrast. Carbon accents emphasise the concept’s technical-sporty character.





Press Release

Volkswagen News at Wörthersee: Powerful 270 PS Golf R revealed as cabriolet concept!

• Cruiser: open-top Golf R at full strength even in lowest speed range
• Strong look: debut of Golf R Concept at Wörthersee

Wolfsburg / Reifnitz, 02 June 2011 - Volkswagen has travelled to the largest GTI Meet in the world at Wörthersee with an entire fleet of new models, concept cars and accessory highlights. After revealing the new Golf GTI Edition 35 in a world debut, the company that invented the GTI will be pulling the veils off some other secret projects of a sporty nature: Volkswagen is presenting the Golf R Cabriolet as a concept car with 270 PS of power and a top speed of 250 km/h; it is a fascinating thought experiment in cabrio dynamics. This "power cabrio" also demonstrates the inexhaustible potential of the Golf. But there is more news as well: other concept cars such as the Golf R Concept and the latest original accessories will make the GTI Meet (until June 4th) a mecca for every Volkswagen fan.

Golf R Cabriolet concept: Volkswagen just recently introduced the new Golf Cabriolet, and the designers and engineers of Volkswagen R GmbH have already come up with an extremely sporty variant of this model: the Golf R Cabriolet Concept. Like its closed top counterpart, the 199 kW / 270 PS Cabriolet concept races to the 100 km/h mark in less than six seconds. Their top speeds are also identical at 250 km/h. This makes the R Cabriolet the fastest open-top Golf ever. Even more impressive, however, is the engine's tremendous torque - 350 Newton metres from a low 2,500 rpm make this cabriolet an ideal cruiser.

Like the closed-top Golf R, the cabriolet was lowered by 25 mm via a sport chassis. A 17-inch brake system with internally ventilated discs at all wheels and blue painted high-performance brake callipers (including R-logo) enables impressive deceleration values. Making contact to the road surface on the Golf R Cabriolet Concept are 19-inch "Talladega" alloy wheels with size 235 tyres.

Naturally, the Golf R Cabriolet Concept also presents an especially sporty interior concept. Motorsport shell seats in dark blue carbon leather, combined with high-end Nappa leather in "Pure Grey", set the tone here. The backs of the shell seats are painted in luxurious black piano paint. Upholstery piping and decorative seams provide for colour contrast. Carbon accents emphasise the concept's technical-sporty character. The sand-blasted aluminium door sill plates with black piano paint inlays display finely crafted workmanship.

Golf R Concept: Two variations of the Golf R Concept are also making strong visual statements at Wörthersee. Like the classic Golf R and the R Cabriolet on display at Wörthersee, the two Golf R Concepts are also powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine with the mentioned 199 kW / 270 PS, which is as powerful as it is efficient.

The first version of the Golf R Concept attracts attention with mid-tone "Velvet Grey Metallic" exterior, polished 19-inch "Talladega" alloy wheels, orange painted brake callipers and carbon mirror caps.

The driver and front passenger have the pleasure of sitting on perfectly ergonomic motorsport shell seats. Their outer segments are upholstered in black Nappa leather; anthracite-coloured Nappa leather ("Light Anthracite") is used towards the inner surfaces in the area of the lateral seat supports and towards the head section. The cross-stitched centre panels of the seat and seatback gets an even lighter Nappa leather ("Pure Grey"). The back shell glistens in black piano paint. The piping on the side sections of the seat and head section provide a fine contrast: the orange of the brake callipers is repeated here. Meanwhile, interior accents match the look of the mirror caps: carbon. The same material is also used for the steering wheel, gear shift lever and the door sill plates. Black piano paint characterises the panels behind the inside door handles, the trim of the window controls and the trim of the gear shift grip.

The second model of the Golf R Concept is painted in the sophisticated "Aplomb Blue". The 19-inch "Glendale" wheels that are new to the Golf line-up shine in "Brilliant Silver". Once again, the exterior mirror caps, various interior accents and the door sill plates are made of carbon.

Parts of the back shells of the motorsport shell seats also feature carbon. Black Nappa leather covers the outer areas of the seat and seatback surfaces. Meanwhile, the ridge of the seats - a continuous stripe that runs along the lateral seat and back supports - consists of blue leather. The sport leather steering wheel's inner segments and grip recesses were upholstered in "carbon leather"; characteristic of this lightweight material is its woven structure. Even the floor mats have a carbon look. The decorative seams here, as in the area of the parking brake lever, are styled in blue.

Volkswagen Zubehör GmbH: At the 30th GTI Meet, the accessories company is not only showing complete vehicles, but also lifestyle articles and vehicle accessories. Available in the "GTI Shop" at the Volkswagen exhibit is the entire new "GTI Collection" of sporty shirts, coats, jeans, children's articles and accessories. And that is not all: the 35th anniversary of the Golf GTI was reason enough to design a commemorative series: the "GTI Edition 35 T-Shirt Collection" with the best advertising motifs over the 35 years of the GTI.

Classic accessories on display at Wörthersee include various alloy wheels (up to 21-inch in size). Also being presented by Volkswagen Zubehör GmbH is a customised Polo with features that can be ordered individually such as interior accents and door mirror caps in carbon look, special tailpipe trim, rear apron with diffuser and 17-inch "Motorsport" alloy wheels - all with affordable sports appeal. And that is how it should be. Because Volkswagen democratised the sports car with the GTI back in 1976. 35 years later, this also means that the accessories line-up offers enhanced sports appeal for every budget.