The Icon is Back

The Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2012, Volkswagen’s most-anticipated event of the year, stole the limelight yet again as the event offered an up-close and personal brand experience, including a showcase of products from the brand.

Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the event saw motoring enthusiasts as well as people from all walks of life gather to watch the finest automotive show in the country come to life. This year’s show saw on display various segments of Volkswagen vehicles, including some new vehicles yet to be seen on Malaysian roads.

Additionally, there would be interactive brand experiences, among other attractions, making the Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2012 a true showcase of everything the Volkswagen brand stands for.

The star attraction of this year’s Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show was the introduction of The Beetle, previewed in Malaysia at Volkswagen’s inaugural Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2011 in Bukit Jalil. This Volkswagen brand icon makes its debut in the country with the 1.2TSI and a host of innovative features, including the assurance of German engineering.

The Beetle name is not new to Malaysia. It is the one brand that has been synonymous with Malaysians since the 1950s, having been imported into the country at the time. Local assembly of the Beetle was later started in 1968.

Globally, the original Beetle was first introduced to the world in 1938 and ever since, some 22.5 million units have been sold.

It is befitting that the icon has been launched amidst the grandeur of Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2012, a show that is designed to bring exclusive Volkswagen brand experience to consumers, educating them on the philosophy, technology, and innovation that go into the German engineered Volkswagen fleet.

The 1.2L 105PS engine has been launched in Malaysia, which is part of Volkswagen’s TSI and DSG technologies to deliver class-leading fuel efficiency.

Speaking at the launch, the Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Mr Ricky Tay said, “The Beetle was first seen on Malaysian roads back in the 50s and it soon became a popular choice among households. Malaysia and the Beetle have evolved together. The car is still a favourite among classic car enthusiasts and Beetle fans in the country.

“The last few months have seen us speak to numerous followers of the brand and the car, and we know that the Beetle is still a favourite among people. It is a car that transcends gender, class and background to become a favourite among people, thanks to its timeless shape and consistently evolving technology. The Beetle is truly the people’s car.

“An icon of popular culture, The Beetle underscores the very philosophy of the Volkswagen brand. It is only fitting that we launch this icon at a show like the Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show. We hope that patrons of the Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2012 will enjoy getting to know their favourite car as much as we have enjoyed bringing the experience to them,” Mr Ricky Tay further explained.

The Beetle

Volkswagen Chief Designers Walter de Silva (Volkswagen Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand) saw the need to create a classic yet modern design, with the Beetle brand and the product going beyond norms. Thus, The Beetle has been designed with a single-minded goal of “designing a new original”.

The designers knew that they wanted to work out the silhouette of the original Beetle. They also placed great value on very dynamic proportions. Interestingly, quite a few of the team have one or two air-cooled Beetle. Bischoff is also among the younger designers at Volkswagen.

Bolder, more dynamic, masculine, The Beetle features a clear, confident and superior athleticism. The car is not only lower but also considerably wider; the hood is longer, the recessed windshield much steeper. All this leads to a new dynamic design, powerful appearance and muscular tension.

The car is 1,808mm wide (84mm wider than the model it replaces), 1,486mm tall (12mm lower) and 4,278mm long (152mm longer). In parallel, the development team has increased the car’s track widths (front: 1,578mm, 63mm wider; rear: 1,544mm, 49mm wider) and wheelbase (2,537mm; + 22mm)

In comparison with the model it replaces, the New Beetle, the new car is significantly bigger and wider. There is additional headroom and legroom while the boot space is bigger.

Inside, the dashboard has been given a unique touch. It has the form and colour of the front facia painted in body colour, which makes an instant visual connection, to the original Beetle, and yet looks evolved and modern.

Regardless of the colour scheme, controls are within easy reach, instinctive to use and clearly spaced out.

Similar to the original Beetle, in certain equipment versions the new Beetle has an extra glove box (‘Beetle box’) on the passenger’s side which is integrated in the front facia; its lid swings upward. Also integrated is the standard glove box that opens downward.

The design, ergonomics, user interfaces and quality intermesh like gears to create a new, friendly car with maximum individuality.

What’s more, it is a practical everyday car; four adults have plenty of space, even on long trips and the boot can handle up to 310 litres of luggage and with the seats folded flat, up to a maximum of 951 litres can be available

1.2L 105PS TSI

The entry-level Beetle comes with a 1.2L TSI power plant. This 1.2-litre turbo-charged motor pumps out 105PS and 175Nm of torque, between 1,550 and 4,100rpm.

This enables the car to reach 100km/h in 10.9 seconds and goes all the way to its top speed of 180km/h. Despite excellent acceleration performance, this power automobile still returns remarkable fuel consumption, with 5.9 litres/100km on the combined cycle. Carbon emissions are kept to a minimum of just 137g/km CO2.

As for trim, this variant is equipped with a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) that contributes to the car’s benefits.

The 1.2L TSI version will be equipped with “Design Line” package which consists of 16-inch alloy wheels, and matching body coloured dashboard and mirror housings.

After being introduced at the Volkswagen.Das Auto. Show 2012 on 7 September, the 1.2L TSI is now on sale and is available at all Volkswagen authorised dealerships nationwide and is priced from RM139,888.

The car is available in Candy White, Tornado Red, Saturn Yellow, Reflex Silver, Deep Black, Platinum Grey and Graciosa Brown

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.