So I was about to log onto my e-mail and I see this article. What the heck IS that thing???!

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1137924&icid=autos_1405&GT1=22009

I won't lie, I like VW beetles...but that thing makes me sad. It looks like someone STEPPED on it...

Yep, looks like someone squashed down on the roof and flattened it out lengthwise.

But, kudos to them for still offering a diesel and MANUAL trannys! From what I've heard of VW auto trannies, including the DSG, you're best off not even considering them - as in rivaling a 20 year old MB for the amount of attention and money required to keep them working properly.

Just hope they can make the interior pieces a little more durable this time around, and not have cup holders and mirror switches breaking off. Oh, and enough room to actually work on the engine without pulling it from the car, or be able to change bulbs on the headlights without doing the same, would be nice as well.

But, IMHO, raspberries for jumping on the hypebrid bandwagon. Whereinhell are you going to put enough batteries to do anything on a BEETLE? And I wanna see that gas engine that's got a supercharger AND turbocharger both installed on it - OK, I realize that's probably a typo due to limited space in the article, that they meant you could get it EITHER turbocharged or supercharged - or the person that edited the article was just totally clueless.

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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club

Looks like its going to be twice as *****ty as the first NB.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

hahahah

Stupid looking vehicle. Chrysler 300C + Beetle

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

The last real one was about 1971 (pre super-beetle). Why would anyone own a FWD car?

That thing is awful looking. I'll take an original one. The only new one I'd consider would be a tdi, but it would have to be cheap....I'd much prefer a golf.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

So true, FWD is pointless.....I drive PT cruisers a lot, and they have major torque steer, very annoying. And if you hit the pedal too quick/hard (being used to a 300SD! ) it skitters the front tires....also super annoying.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Agreed

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

It's not pointless, if it were pointless most of the cars on the road wouldn't be FWD.
It's easier to package, and CHEAPER for manufacturers to do.. which is why its so prevalent. Other benefits include inherently more interior space (no driveshaft hump).

Plus the way most people drive, they wont notice a difference. So it makes a lot of sense for people who wouldn't even know which wheels are the drive wheels in the first place. America's car culture is mostly dead. A lot of kids are more interested in the newest ipods and stuff rather than cars.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

I kindof like that. It looks like a cabrio with a carson top welded on!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Pretty much. Much more evocative of the pre-Super Beetle cabrio than the current generation. Hopefully, they've ditched the little flower vase on the dashboard so those with XY chromosomes won't be mortified to drive it.

It'll still be a New Beetle-

I'm not averse to the looks, it looks like a chopped Beetle. Far better than the current hideous incarnation.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

You saw that is the Ragster concept from 2005 right? And MSN is merely inferring that it will look the same?

All the new beetles are heinous so I'd expect nothing less from the second gen, or third depending on how you're counting.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Now, if it came with suicide doors hinged back by the rear wheel wells...with a removable hardtop... I would feel less nauseated

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95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles