The third generation of the legendary Volkswagen Beetle, which has lost the "New" postscript, in the hatchback body officially debuted on April 18, 2011, simultaneously on three continents - in Shanghai, New York and Berlin, and in October 2012, an open presentation was held at the Los Angeles Auto Show. versions of "Beetle" with the prefix Cabrio. The car with the index "A5", in comparison with its predecessor, has grown in size and has become much more modern, but at the same time fully retained the "corporate" features of its great ancestor.
The continuity in the appearance of the “third” Volkswagen Beetle is obvious, which is why even without the emblem on the hood it is clear that this is the “Beetle”, a descendant of that very original legendary car.
The naive gaze of large round headlights, "separate" fenders, a sloping "back" turning into a lean stern with beautiful lanterns - the car still looks slightly touched, but at the same time sportiness clearly appears in its silhouette.
In length, the third-generation hatchback is 4278 mm long, its width is 1808 mm, and its height is 1486 mm (the convertible is 13 mm lower). The wheelbase of the Beatle is 2537 mm, and the ground clearance, depending on the version, varies from 136 to 145 mm.
Inside the third generation VW Beetle, despite some stylistic features, it is immediately identified as a classic Volkswagen with a modern, but somewhat simple design. An informative and laconic instrument panel is located behind a large and slightly cropped in the lower part of the multifunctional steering wheel, and the multimedia and "climate" blocks are "registered" on the beautiful dashboard. The interior of the car is made of hard plastics, which are optionally "enlivened" by large inserts to match the body color.
The front seats of the "Beetle" not only have a comfortable profile, but also have dense padding, good lateral support and a sufficient set of adjustments. The back row is molded for two people, but they will also feel a limited supply of space in the legs and overhead.
The volume of the luggage compartment of the "third" Volkswagen Beetle is modest in volume - only 310 liters (the convertible has 225 liters). The backs of the "gallery", folding in a ratio of 50:50, form a noticeable "step", while the capacity increases only up to 905 liters. In the niche under the raised floor the "German" has a compact "spare wheel".
Specifications. On the Russian market, the new Beetle can be purchased with a choice of three gasoline engines that mate with a similar number of gearboxes and a front-wheel drive transmission.
- The initial version is a 1.2-liter turbo four with direct injection, whose output is 105 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 175 Nm of peak thrust at 1550-4100 rpm.
In partnership with a 6-speed "mechanics" or a 7-band "robot", it gives the car good capabilities: acceleration to 100 km / h in 10.9 seconds, maximum speed of 180 km / h and an average "appetite" of 5.9 liters in mixed mode. - It is followed in rank by a four-cylinder 1.4-liter turbo engine with direct power supply, releasing 160 "heads" at 5800 rpm and 240 Nm of torque at 1500-4500 rpm and combined with the same gearboxes as the "younger fellow".
This VW Beetle takes 8.3 seconds to spurt to the first "hundred", its limit falls on 207 km / h, and the fuel consumption does not exceed 6.2-6.6 liters in the combined cycle. - Under the hood of the "top" cars is a "direct" 2.0-liter unit with a turbocharging system, generating 210 "mares" at 5300-6200 rpm and 280 Nm of thrust at 1700-5200 rpm.
He "performs in a duet" with a 6-speed "robot", providing the "Beetle" with a maximum speed of 227 km / h and conquering 100 km / h after 7.3 seconds. Fuel consumption "according to the passport" is 7.6 liters in mixed conditions.
The "third" Volkswagen Beetle is built on a front-wheel drive modular platform A5 (PQ35) with a transverse engine and independent suspension on both axles, expressed by MacPherson struts at the front and "multi-link" at the rear.
The steering is represented by a rack and pinion mechanism, in which an electric amplifier with variable characteristics is built, and disc brakes with ABS, EBD, ESP and HBA are installed on all wheels.
Options and prices. As of October 2015, in Russia the "Beetle" of the third generation is available only as a hatchback in the Beetle, Design and Sport trim levels at a price of 1,050,000 rubles.
The standard three-door "flaunts" six airbags, climate system, ABS, ESP, active power steering, heated front seats, two power windows, a standard audio system and 16-inch wheel disks.
