2012 Volkswagen Beetle Premiere+ Review

That's basically the simplest way to sum up the new New, newest, uh, latest Volkswagen Beetle. It actually sparked my intrigue at one point when I asked around about girlie cars and came up with a few stats. Essentially, the Beetle was the “girliest” amongst chick cars.

But that's changed.

Dainty no more
The most immediately distinctive physical element about the car that gives it balls, if you will, is its chopped roof-line. Gone is the half-dome roof that Volkswagen once promoted in some of its ad campaigns. The “A” and “C” pillars are far more reclined and give the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle a more coupe-like shape.

The most immediately distinctive physical element about the car that gives it balls, if you will, is its chopped roof-line. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

What hasn't changed nor ever will are the bulbous super-flared wheel arches. Essentially, take those away and you get a regular car. It's kinda like Luke Skywalker without the Force: he's no more than your average moisture farmer. My tester was Premier+ and with it come snazzy 18” wheels reserved for it and the Sportline. Take a good look at them and tell me they do not have a Porsche Fuchs-like quality to them. Me, I like.

The head and taillights are other signature features of the Beetle. Up front, the lamps are round and true but in the rear, they no longer are. Although they work with the car's new shape, I find it to be the lowest point in the Beetle's design.

Flower out
There are few things to say about the cabin. Here, the Germans spread the same austere manly jam throughout as they did outside. Gone are the flower holder (smiley-face) and the half-moon over sized speedometer. Instead, the entire upper-left portion of the dashboard has been replaced by conventional gauges. The remainder of the user-interface is functional, very German and well put-together.

Another tell-tale sign that we're aboard a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is the body-colour accents throughout the interior. One more indicator that we're in a Volkswagen are the typically good seats and driving position. The front occupants revel in tons of room, whereas those relegated to the rear will pray for a smooth road, keeping their heads away from the back glass.

It's somewhat sad that Volkswagen had to genericize its Bug but it was clearly a necessary step. Fear not though as not all is lost. The trunk is still tight depending on the height of the stuff that will go in, and wind noise still sneaks into the cabin through frame-less doors.

A tell-tale sign that we're aboard a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is the body-colour accents throughout the interior. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)