Like the Mazda Miata, Volkswagen New Beetles suffer slightly from a "chick car" image in the minds of mental midgets. Despite the revived Bug's ability to generate interest across age, gender and social boundaries, lots of guys think it's a girly car, mostly because it's cute and underpowered, just like a Miata. And never mind that even when equipped with the standard 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an automatic transmission, the New Beetle is a hoot to cruise around town, for no other reason than the intense interest it can generate.
Those of you harboring a secret desire for this funky hatchback, but who think the New Beetle is a chick car, can now rest assured that your masculinity will remain intact when purchasing one. Volkswagen has installed a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine under the Bug's stubby little hood, and the results are extraordinary. The boosted engine is just the shot in the arm the New Beetle needed to rise from merely excellent to truly outstanding status.
The motor makes 150 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 156 ft-lbs. of torque between 2,200 and 4,200 rpm. Our test car, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, accelerated strongly to 60 mph and in the midrange for passing. It exhibited breathlessness only as the teensy tach needle spun toward redline. We had no trouble at all blasting down on-ramps and merging with fast-moving traffic, or whooshing from 60 mph to 90 mph. Tested in Denver, our blown Beetle was seemingly unfazed by the altitude and thin atmosphere, a real plus for those frustrated by crippled engines at higher elevations. A four-speed automatic transmission can be mated to this wonderful powerplant, but we don't recommend it. It cuts down on the grin factor. A hint of torque steer can be detected from the front drive wheels, but it was in no way intrusive.
Steering and the suspension setup was typically communicative in the Volkswagen tradition, though the front MacPherson struts are easily taxed on larger bumps and deeper dips as they struggle to deal with all the weight over the front end. New Beetle 1.8T is equipped with four-wheel disc antilock brakes that work exceptionally well and are actuated using a wonderfully progressive pedal that provides good feel and feedback. The single problem with the Bug's handling is evident in fast corners. Like other VWs of late, the New Beetle Turbo leans over and the P205/55R16 Michelin MXV4 Plus tires howl like coyotes at an October moon. Um, fat juicy stabilizer bars now, please?
Aside from the lovely turbocharged engine, the New Beetle 1.8T comes with a retractable rear spoiler above the back window and traction control. Otherwise, it shares the same standard equipment list with other models. The former is designed to activate automatically at 93 mph, or, if you want to ruin the element of surprise when you rocket ahead of the Miata in the next lane, you can supposedly engage the spoiler manually using a switch located somewhere inside the cabin. We never found that switch. The traction control works as advertised, and even allows a bit of wheelspin during rapid acceleration. Feeling much like the system on the Audi TT, it does not detract from the sporting nature of the New Beetle 1.8T.
Our usual gripes with the New Beetle manifest themselves in the 1999 1.8T. The cupholders have been lowered to provide more clearance for tall drinks, but the left one digs into calves during driving, leaving marks on and indentations in the skin. The stereo buttons are too tiny for large fingers to operate easily, and the pictographs for the climate-control selectors are rather small. Adults will not find the backseat comfortable, due to a severe lack of headroom.
Accolades go out for the excellent seats, which provide comfort and support in equal doses over the long haul. We also get a kick out of the red and blue nighttime dash lighting, and revel in the retro look of the dashboard gauge cluster. The sound system is better than most in VW products, though the only way to play a CD is to load the rear-mounted CD changer. The tilting and telescoping steering wheel is rare for a car of this caliber, and makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
Volkswagen offers the 1.8T in two trim levels. GLS buyers get standard equipment previously mentioned plus air conditioning, full-sized spare tire (!), power heated mirrors, cruise control, rear window defroster, power windows and locks, six-speaker cassette stereo, and tilting and telescoping steering wheel. Equipped with basic trim, the Bug is a tasty morsel. Our GLS test car was equipped with the partial leather trim package, which included real hides on seating surfaces, the steering wheel, the shift boot, and the parking brake handle. This package also included heated front seats and windshield-washer nozzles. Additionally, our car had alloy wheels, replacing the standard wheel covers. These attractive alloy wheels, however, are very difficult to clean, thanks to numerous nooks and crannies where brake dust and road grime collect. Uplevel GLX models have these five-spoke alloys standard, as well as a power sunroof and the contents of the partial leather trim package.
New Beetles received a few changes to enhance the ownership experience in 1999. Antilock brakes became standard, and an overhead console was added that incorporates two useful storage slots. The clock was relocated a bit lower on the headliner for easier viewing, and comes equipped with an exterior temperature readout. Ring-type headrests were added, as well as rear reading and door entry lights. The overall effect of these changes, particularly when coupled with the attractive tan leather of our test car, is decidedly upscale.
Which brings us to price. Volkswagen wants a healthy chunk of change for the New Beetle 1.8T, but we think the price of entry for the turbo Beetle is worthwhile. With brisk acceleration, communicative hardware, superb comfort for front-seat passengers, loads of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, and more personality than Jim Carrey, the New Beetle 1.8T would be near the top of our shopping list in this class. This is one VeeDub that's not just for chicks anymore.
Those of you harboring a secret desire for this funky hatchback, but who think the New Beetle is a chick car, can now rest assured that your masculinity will remain intact when purchasing one. Volkswagen has installed a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine under the Bug's stubby little hood, and the results are extraordinary. The boosted engine is just the shot in the arm the New Beetle needed to rise from merely excellent to truly outstanding status.
The motor makes 150 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 156 ft-lbs. of torque between 2,200 and 4,200 rpm. Our test car, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, accelerated strongly to 60 mph and in the midrange for passing. It exhibited breathlessness only as the teensy tach needle spun toward redline. We had no trouble at all blasting down on-ramps and merging with fast-moving traffic, or whooshing from 60 mph to 90 mph. Tested in Denver, our blown Beetle was seemingly unfazed by the altitude and thin atmosphere, a real plus for those frustrated by crippled engines at higher elevations. A four-speed automatic transmission can be mated to this wonderful powerplant, but we don't recommend it. It cuts down on the grin factor. A hint of torque steer can be detected from the front drive wheels, but it was in no way intrusive.
Steering and the suspension setup was typically communicative in the Volkswagen tradition, though the front MacPherson struts are easily taxed on larger bumps and deeper dips as they struggle to deal with all the weight over the front end. New Beetle 1.8T is equipped with four-wheel disc antilock brakes that work exceptionally well and are actuated using a wonderfully progressive pedal that provides good feel and feedback. The single problem with the Bug's handling is evident in fast corners. Like other VWs of late, the New Beetle Turbo leans over and the P205/55R16 Michelin MXV4 Plus tires howl like coyotes at an October moon. Um, fat juicy stabilizer bars now, please?
Aside from the lovely turbocharged engine, the New Beetle 1.8T comes with a retractable rear spoiler above the back window and traction control. Otherwise, it shares the same standard equipment list with other models. The former is designed to activate automatically at 93 mph, or, if you want to ruin the element of surprise when you rocket ahead of the Miata in the next lane, you can supposedly engage the spoiler manually using a switch located somewhere inside the cabin. We never found that switch. The traction control works as advertised, and even allows a bit of wheelspin during rapid acceleration. Feeling much like the system on the Audi TT, it does not detract from the sporting nature of the New Beetle 1.8T.
Our usual gripes with the New Beetle manifest themselves in the 1999 1.8T. The cupholders have been lowered to provide more clearance for tall drinks, but the left one digs into calves during driving, leaving marks on and indentations in the skin. The stereo buttons are too tiny for large fingers to operate easily, and the pictographs for the climate-control selectors are rather small. Adults will not find the backseat comfortable, due to a severe lack of headroom.
Accolades go out for the excellent seats, which provide comfort and support in equal doses over the long haul. We also get a kick out of the red and blue nighttime dash lighting, and revel in the retro look of the dashboard gauge cluster. The sound system is better than most in VW products, though the only way to play a CD is to load the rear-mounted CD changer. The tilting and telescoping steering wheel is rare for a car of this caliber, and makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
Volkswagen offers the 1.8T in two trim levels. GLS buyers get standard equipment previously mentioned plus air conditioning, full-sized spare tire (!), power heated mirrors, cruise control, rear window defroster, power windows and locks, six-speaker cassette stereo, and tilting and telescoping steering wheel. Equipped with basic trim, the Bug is a tasty morsel. Our GLS test car was equipped with the partial leather trim package, which included real hides on seating surfaces, the steering wheel, the shift boot, and the parking brake handle. This package also included heated front seats and windshield-washer nozzles. Additionally, our car had alloy wheels, replacing the standard wheel covers. These attractive alloy wheels, however, are very difficult to clean, thanks to numerous nooks and crannies where brake dust and road grime collect. Uplevel GLX models have these five-spoke alloys standard, as well as a power sunroof and the contents of the partial leather trim package.
New Beetles received a few changes to enhance the ownership experience in 1999. Antilock brakes became standard, and an overhead console was added that incorporates two useful storage slots. The clock was relocated a bit lower on the headliner for easier viewing, and comes equipped with an exterior temperature readout. Ring-type headrests were added, as well as rear reading and door entry lights. The overall effect of these changes, particularly when coupled with the attractive tan leather of our test car, is decidedly upscale.
Which brings us to price. Volkswagen wants a healthy chunk of change for the New Beetle 1.8T, but we think the price of entry for the turbo Beetle is worthwhile. With brisk acceleration, communicative hardware, superb comfort for front-seat passengers, loads of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, and more personality than Jim Carrey, the New Beetle 1.8T would be near the top of our shopping list in this class. This is one VeeDub that's not just for chicks anymore.
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