Not many cars end up being icons. These cars have something inherently unique about them that they end up being revered after a period of time. Some gain such a reputation by their performance. Some by their style and some manage to do both.
On one end of the scale, there are those icons like the Porsche 911. A car renowned for its performance and also its styling. It has become one of the benchmarks for a performance car and its silhouette is immediately recognisable. There are also cars like most Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. The mere whisper of their name sends motorheads weak in the knees. These are performance icons.
But the great thing about motoring is that iconic cars are not just limited to the supercars and the coupes. We also have iconic cars that started off as affordable cars. We have the Fiat 500, the Mini and the Volkswagen Beetle. These cars have styling and shape that is instantly recongnisable and somehow, these cars are also those that invoke memories of the good old days where a car meant a lot more than what it is today. And their design would seem to be evergreen in its outlook. Drive one of the cars mentioned above and you will still get warm looks and glances.
And so car manufacturers have realised this and you now see newer cars, having the same basic shape as the icons but made anew and modern for this day and age. I got to drive one of these icons recently - The Volkswagen Beetle 1.2TSI Sport.
The Beetle 1.2TSI is the second generation new Beetle. It takes after the original long lived version of the People's Car. It looks better than the 1998-2010 version and you get all of the retro touches like the original. The bulbous shape and the body coloured interior complete with a glovebox on the dashboard like the original.
The thing that I like about this current Beetle is the fact that it does not look like a car that only a girl could drive. The previous model was more feminine and upright in styling. This one is wider and lower. It still keeps the styling cues of the original but the translation from paper to metal is so much better than previously. Even Volkswagen stated that the reason why the Beetle looks like this is to attract more male buyers. I think they have hit the nail here as I somehow don't feel like I have the need to apply nailpolish or mascara and carry a handbag.
Volkswagen Malaysia currently brings in the Beetle in 1.2liter form at the moment. There is the 1.2 TSI Design at RM135,888++ and the 1.2 TSI Sport at RM140,888++. Both are powered by the same turbocharged 1.2liter TFSI engine that makes 105ps and 175Nm torque. This drives the front wheels via a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox. The difference between the Design and the Sport variants is that you get the standard equipment upgraded with some additional 'sporty' bits. It also gets LED daytime running lights in Sport.
The Sport bits include ‘Climatronic’ air conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control over the standard controls, cruise control, front sports seats with height adjustment, lumbar support and seat heater, paddle shifter and an upgraded radio ‘RCD 510’ touch screen 6 CD changer with CD/MP3/WMA replay function instead of the RCD 310.
Oh. The version I tested had sporty stripes and the word 'Bug' written on the tailgate and on the stickers on its side too. Aptly so. This is the Beetle Bug Edition. The extra bits include genuine Volkswagen Bug side sill, side decals, body stripes and Bug logo for an extra RM6,000 over the Beetle Sport price mentioned above.
What's it like to drive?
Now the Volkswagen Beetle, codenamed A5, like most modern Volkswagen is based on a shared platform. It currently shares the same architecture as the current Volkswagen Jetta and the Mk 6 Golf. Inside you get the body coloured panels (in plastic), a leather wrapped steering wheel and typically legible instrumentation that is nice to the touch. The sports seats in this Sport variant are simply a very nice place to put your behind on. It has a ribbed leather finish that you'd also find in the Scirocco. Together with the adjustable tilt and reach steering, one could get properly comfy in them. The controls are light and easy to use and visibility is good because of the upright windscreen and airy glasshouse.
As this is a two door 'coupe' (with a rear hatch), getting in an out requires the front passenger/driver to get up from the seat which tilts and slides forward. Getting in an out is fairly easy as the space for doing so is pretty big. Even big boys like me can easily get in an out without suffering from a twisted spine or muscle sprains.
On the move you find that the Beetle 1.2 feels like a Mk 6 Golf TSI in terms of how it rides and goes over bumps. The suspension, multi links up front and a torsion beam at the rear (only the 2.0 version gets a multi link rear suspension) works fine on the highway, sweeping B roads and where things are smooth and flowing. When the road surfaces are a little bad or there are ripples on the tarmac, some of the irregularities are filtered into the cabin as road noise. But more on the tyre/road noise than actual suspension clobber or up-down secondary body movement. It likes better built surfaces. It is actually very Mk 6 Golf like in this aspect. Slightly down from the better riding Mk 7 Golf we have now. The Jetta which shares the same platform rides better because of the extra length in the wheelbase. But if you compare in general to the cars in the Beetle's pricetag, there is nothing really much to complain as it does not really do things badly. Just a tad bit average in terms of overall ride comfort.
Noise insulation is good in town and at most speeds. However, I took the car on an outstation jaunt to Muar over the weekend and on the more open highway, there was some wind buffeting right at the middle of the windscreen. Whilst there is no susceptibility to crosswinds in terms of handling, the slightly upright design of the windscreen may be the cause of the extra wind noise at speeds in excess of 130kmh.
In terms of high speed stability and tracking the Beetle 1.2 TSI is extremely stable for a car in the compact car category. Even on sweeping and undulating corners on the B roads around Muar the Beetle grips well and can be flung with some abandon. However it prefers smooth inputs rather than manhandling it. This means if you keep it smooth, the Beetle will be quite rewarding to drive. As for steering feel, the Beetle 1.2 TSI has a lack of it. It may have the proper weighting and it may be accurate, but has little feeedback. Much like a computer game. Somehow Volkswagen must have different teams tuning up the suspension of their cars as the Jetta which uses the same platform has better feel.
As for its engine performance, the Beetle 1.2 with DSG is claimed to hit 0-100kmh in around 10.9 seconds and have a top speed of 180kmh. I managed to hit both targets. Combined fuel economy on this car is claimed to be 5.9liters per 100km. Unfortunately, I only managed an average combined figure of 10.5liters per 100km. Blame my heavy right foot. Or the fact that this is still a 1.2liter engine trying to lug a car that weighs 1307kg empty. Whilst the turbocharged engine actually made me feel like I was driving something with at least a 1.8liter engine, it is still just a small engine that has just been milked by its road tester. I believe this is what caused the slightly bad fuel economy.
But this car is one with a big heart. Its performance was actually commendable for its small size. This Beetle may only have a 1.2liter heart, but it has one that is so very willing. Especially when coupled to that extremely fast DSG box which I found is better suited if left in 'Sports' mode. The normal mode feels a little lethargic. I suppose I like . It's like the little engine that could.
The Beetle 1.2 TSI Sport works well on so many grounds and it is the cheapest of the new incarnation of car icons here in Malaysia. Its rivals, the Fiat 500 isn't officially sold in Malaysia and the BMW Mini starts at RM148,000++. As a brand new car with funky rounded inviting bug-like looks, confident handling and premium car feel there is no car like it on the market. And for that, this Beetle gets a vote from me as one of those cars you buy for its styling over anything else.
Conclusion: An icon properly reinvented for our times
Pros: good looks, confident handling, ample performance from a 1.2liter engine
Cons: susceptible to some road noise, wind noise when faced with crosswinds, because its only a 1.2liter engine fuel economy may suffer if pushed, steering lacking in feel
2015 Volkswagen Beetle 1.2 TSI Sport Bug Edition
0-100kmh - 10.9 seconds
Top speed - 180kmh (tested)
Average Fuel Consumption - 10.5liters/100km (Tested)
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