The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is offered with a petrol engine and is being imported as a CBU unit, keeping pricing optimistic for the coupe.
Making a charming comeback, the 21st Century Volkswagen Beetle has officially been launched in India priced at Rs. 28.73 lakhs (ex-showroom Mumbai). Available across select dealerships in the country, the German auto giant brings back the pop icon in an all-new avatar after first showcasing the same at the 2012 Auto Expo. With the premium hatchback market more active now, the Beetle locks horns with the retro cool MINI Cooper and Abarth 595 two-door hatchbacks.
Based on Volkswagen’s PQ35 platform that also underpins the Jetta, the A5 Beetle loses a chunk of its curves in favour of a more sporty and less feminine design language. The coupe looks wider with the accentuated wheel arches while the roofline is flatter towards the centre. That said, it’s still extensively recognisable as the Beetle, having not lost the styling from the original car with the round headlamps, whereas the new retro spoiler and 16-inch whirl shaped alloy wheels are touches we like.
The new generation Volkswagen Beetle has also grown mature inside the cabin with a more sobered up dashboard and has done away with the flower vase for good this time. A flat-bottom steering wheel induces some sportiness while the dash gets an exterior matching paint job. The entire cabin is finished in black otherwise with the Vienna upholstered seats. Also very cool are the mood lighting on front speaker surround (3 colours), leather wrapped handbrake, steering and gearshift knob; scuff plates and chrome trim rotary light switch.
Available with a single engine, the new Volkswagen Beetle uses the 1.4-litre TSI petrol mill tuned for 150 PS between 5000-6000 RPM and 250 Nm of torque available between 1500-3500 RPM, paired to a 7-speed DSG transmission. Loaded on tech, the coupe is equipped with dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESC, ASR, RDL EDTC, 3-point seatbelts, HHC among other essentials. The feature list comprises of Climatronic HVAC unit, MID Plus, auto headlamps, rain sensors, cruise control, start-stop, height adjustable front seats and much more. Available in four colours, Volkswagen claims an ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of 17.68 km/l on the new Beetle.
