2012 VW Beetle: UK prices and models revealed
Ahead of its arrival in the UK in Spring 2012, Volkswagen has revealed details of prices and models for the new Beetle. Starts at £16,490.
Perhaps the title of VW’s press release for the 2012 Beetle details for the UK best illustrates exactly what VW hope to achieve with the new Beetle:
“Less Flower, More Power”.
Which is probably the only way VW are going to get anyone in Europe – certainly any male in Europe – to take a serious look at a car which is perceived as a pointless rehash of a once iconic car in to a fashion accessory for those who don’t love cars.
So now you know the flower vase has lost its pride of place, and the 2012 Beetle is a bit more of a car and a bit less of a fashion accessory, you may want to know what’s on offer. Although we’d take a Golf every day of the week instead.
At launch VW is offering two engines in the new Beetle – a 1.2 litre petrol with 104bhp and a 1.6 litre petrol with 158bhp.
Which doesn’t seem much of a choice, but you will be able to get a 1.6 litre TDI BlueMotion with 104bhp, a 2.0 litre TDI 138bhp and 2.0-litre TSI with 158bhp, although these won’t arrive until late 2012.
Three trim levels are on offer – Beetle, Design and Sport – with the bog-standard ‘Beetle’ trim getting AirCon, remote locking and CD player.
Jump up to the Design trim and you can add 17″ alloys, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, Fogs, a DAB radio and body-coloured dash and door panels.
The range-topping Beetle Sport adds in 18″ alloys, tinted glass, Cruise, sports seats, parking sensors, Climate and gloss black door mirrors.
VW are hoping Beetle buyers will be big in to options to style their new Beetle to their own taste, so the option list is extensive and includes stuff like SatNav, Panoramic Roof, Keyless and a 400W Fender sound system.
VW has opened the order book for the 2012 Beetle in the UK with first deliveries expected in Spring 2012.
2012 VW Beetle Photo Gallery
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(18 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)
2012 VW Beetle UK Prices & Models
| Trim level | Engine derivative | CO2, g/km | Combined mpg | Price, £ RRP OTR |
| Beetle | 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS 7 spd DSG | 137 | 47.9 | 16,490 |
| Design | 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS 7 spd DSG | 137 | 47.9 | 18,895 |
| Design | 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS 6 spd manual | 153 | 42.8 | 19,470 |
| Sport | 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS 6 spd manual | 153 | 42.8 | 21,220 |
kanakaris nico says
I listened to the Fender car stereo which is optional and I listened to jazz, funk and house and I can say it sounds amazing!!
M Hale says
VW have made a big mistake not offering a basic 1.2 TSI with a manual gearbox in the UK at launch time.Most UK customers choose a manual gearbox.
In the US VW are offering customers Beetle’s with 5 speed manual gearboxes. This is where the automatic cars should be sold.
I think that VW have totally lost plot here. They will pay for this mistake when the automatic cars start arriving in the UK and people are asking for manual cars.