Introducing Volkswagen's New Beetle . . .

03/11/96

Volkswagen officials introduced a brand new Beetle for the 21st century at last week's international car show in Geneva, although the new car probably won't hit the market until 1998.

The car echoes the lines of the ultra-popular Beetles and Bugs of the past, but updates the look and adds a glass top, four wheel drive, and a 110 horsepower engine under the hood--rather than in the boot, where Beetle engines used to reside. Additionally a water-cooled engine will replace the traditional clackity-clacking, air-cooled powerplant that used to drive Beetles.

The car will initially be sold in the U.S., a first for Volkswagen, and will cost about $15,000. VW plans to produce about 100,000 new Beetles a year, once production gets underway. The company says it will continue to make the old beetle in Mexico and Brazil, for "as long as there is demand."

Following the old Beetle, the new one has large footsteps to fill in the small car market, where there is now plenty of competition. The old Beetle had its heyday between 1962-1972, and surpassed the Model T as the world's best selling car.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel