For a gay old time
Please don't be offended by this title. No one can deny that the New Beetle, and especially the convertible model, is a chick car. So when a dude is spotted behind the wheel, many people unfortunately tend to have a biased opinion about his sexual orientation.
To find out if I was right or dead wrong, I got myself a look-at-me red droptop bug. During that week, there wasn't a day that went by without someone looking at me and laughing, pointing the finger or even demonstrating some obscene gestures that I can't describe here. But why? Can't anyone appreciate or choose a vehicle he or she really wants without this sort of prejudice?
Only one engine option
There used to be a choice of three engines in the New Beetle, but for now, only one is available. The 2.5-liter inline-5 develops 150 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque; that's more than enough for cruising comfortably on the highway, and there is generous passing power, as torque peaks at a low 3,750 rpm. The engine's sound isn't very pleasant at idle, though, especially when you start it up in the morning. Fuel consumption average was 11.3 L/100 km over the course of the week.
Note to the dumb little punks in the rustbucket '92 Civic hatchback who laughed at me on the highway: I could've kicked your butts with the Beetle, but since I'm a mature and responsible person, I didn't. Getting smoked by a chick car can be embarrassing.
Since the New Beetle is built on the Golf/Rabbit platform, the car benefits from a good composure of the suspension. However, I heard a lot of squeaks and rattles, and the car didn't feel tight like a drum.
Basic interior
The two-tone interior is, uh, nice. The instrument panel couldn't be simpler, with one sole pod housing the speedometer, tach and fuel gauge in unison. The dash feels a little cheap and so does the radio, although its sound output was okay. The rotary dials for heating and ventilation couldn't be easier to operate.
I'm not too crazy about light-colored seats, because they tend to get dirty quickly. The ones in this Beetle were comfortable in front, but adjusting the seatback angle takes time, as VW puts rotary knobs instead of the usual pull lever. There is ample space, especially headroom.
Please don't be offended by this title. No one can deny that the New Beetle, and especially the convertible model, is a chick car. So when a dude is spotted behind the wheel, many people unfortunately tend to have a biased opinion about his sexual orientation.
 |
| The New Beetle's 2.5L 5-cylinder generates plenty of torque. |
To find out if I was right or dead wrong, I got myself a look-at-me red droptop bug. During that week, there wasn't a day that went by without someone looking at me and laughing, pointing the finger or even demonstrating some obscene gestures that I can't describe here. But why? Can't anyone appreciate or choose a vehicle he or she really wants without this sort of prejudice?
Only one engine option
There used to be a choice of three engines in the New Beetle, but for now, only one is available. The 2.5-liter inline-5 develops 150 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque; that's more than enough for cruising comfortably on the highway, and there is generous passing power, as torque peaks at a low 3,750 rpm. The engine's sound isn't very pleasant at idle, though, especially when you start it up in the morning. Fuel consumption average was 11.3 L/100 km over the course of the week.
Note to the dumb little punks in the rustbucket '92 Civic hatchback who laughed at me on the highway: I could've kicked your butts with the Beetle, but since I'm a mature and responsible person, I didn't. Getting smoked by a chick car can be embarrassing.
Since the New Beetle is built on the Golf/Rabbit platform, the car benefits from a good composure of the suspension. However, I heard a lot of squeaks and rattles, and the car didn't feel tight like a drum.
Basic interior
The two-tone interior is, uh, nice. The instrument panel couldn't be simpler, with one sole pod housing the speedometer, tach and fuel gauge in unison. The dash feels a little cheap and so does the radio, although its sound output was okay. The rotary dials for heating and ventilation couldn't be easier to operate.
I'm not too crazy about light-colored seats, because they tend to get dirty quickly. The ones in this Beetle were comfortable in front, but adjusting the seatback angle takes time, as VW puts rotary knobs instead of the usual pull lever. There is ample space, especially headroom.
 |
| The Beetle's interior is simplistic in design yet functional. |