Volkswagen Beetle (A5)

This article is about the 2011–2019 model. For the original, built from 1938 to 2003, see Volkswagen Beetle. For the 1997–2010 model, see Volkswagen New Beetle.

Volkswagen Beetle (A5)
2013 Volkswagen Beetle (Germany)
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen
Also calledVolkswagen Coccinelle (France)
Volkswagen Maggiolino (Italy)
Volkswagen Fusca (Brazil)
ProductionJuly 2011 – July 2019
AssemblyMexico: Puebla City (Volkswagen de México)
DesignerWalter de Silva
Marc Lichte
Body and chassis
ClassSmall family car (C)
Body style3-door hatchback[1]
2-door cabriolet
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformVolkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
RelatedVolkswagen Golf Mk6
Powertrain
Enginepetrol engines:
1.2 L I4 TSI
1.4 L I4 16-valve TSI
1.8 L I4 16-valve TSI
2.0 L I4 16-valve TSI
2.5 L I5 20-valve
diesel engines:
1.6 L I4 TDI
2.0 L I4 TDI
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
6-speed DSG
7-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,537 mm (99.9 in)
Length4,278 mm (168.4 in)
Width1,808 mm (71.2 in)
Height1,486 mm (58.5 in)
Chronology
PredecessorVolkswagen New Beetle
SuccessorVolkswagen Golf (for Compact models)
Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet (for Cabriolet models)
Brazilian version of the Beetle (A5), named Fusca

The Volkswagen Beetle, also sold as the Volkswagen Käfer, Volkswagen Coccinelle, Volkswagen Maggiolino, and Volkswagen Fusca in some countries, is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model year, as the successor to the New Beetle launched in 1997. It features a lower profile while retaining an overall shape homaging the original Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle. One of Volkswagen's goals with the model was to give it a more aggressive appearance while giving it some stylistic aspects reminiscent of the Type 1.[2][3] This was an attempt to distance the new model from the New Beetle, produced from 1997 to 2011, which never approached the success of the original Beetle.[4]

The second generation "new" Beetle shares the "A5" (PQ35) platform with the Jetta (A6) and was built alongside the Jetta, Golf Variant at Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico.[5] It is longer than the previous New Beetle at 4,278 mm (168.4 in) and also has a lower profile, 12 mm (0.5 in) lower than its predecessor, and 88 mm (3.5 in) wider. The trunk is now 310 L (11 cu ft), up from 209 L (7.4 cu ft). A convertible version followed the hatchback for the 2013 model year, first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2012 when it also went on sale.[6]

Head of Technical Development for VW, Frank Welsch, indicated at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show that this would be the Beetle's final generation.[7] On 13 September 2018, Volkswagen announced that the Beetle production would end in July 2019.[8] The final third generation Beetle (a denim blue coupe) finished production on 9 July 2019,[9] and was presented on the assembly line the next day. The model was officially retired at a ceremony in Puebla City later that day.

  1. ^ "The 2017 Beetle: Hatchback or Convertible?". www.vwofakron.com. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  2. ^ "2012 VW Beetle Turbo Review". Automoblog.net. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. ^ Lim, Anthony (18 April 2011). "Volkswagen Beetle – new generation bug makes debut". paultan.org. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. ^ English, Andrew (15 August 2011). "Volkswagen Beetle review". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  5. ^ Spy Shots: First photos of 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle, accessdate 2010-1231
  6. ^ Garrett, Jerry (28 November 2012). "Volkswagen Beetle Convertible: Never a Dull Moment". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Tisshaw, Mark (6 March 2018). "Volkswagen confirms Beetle won't be replaced | Autocar". Autocar. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Volkswagen confirms Beetle will cease production | BBC". bbc.co.uk/news. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  9. ^ Wendler, Andrew (9 July 2019). "The Very Last Volkswagen Beetle Rolls off the Production Line". Car and Driver. Retrieved 10 July 2019.