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SAE November Meeting Features Volkswagen's 'New Beetle'

20 October 1998

SAE November Meeting Features Volkswagen's 'New Beetle' - The Inside Story on a Hot Selling Bug

    DETROIT, Oct. 19 -- Flashback alert!  The Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) Detroit Section delivers the inside scoop on
Volkswagen's hot "New Beetle" Tuesday, November 3 at Burton Manor in
Livonia, Michigan.  The dinner meeting presentation, led by Rudiger
Folten, Design Strategy Manager for Volkswagen AG, and Reinhard Szidat, New
Beetle Technical Project Leader, will detail the vehicle's evolution
from concept car to full-scale production, highlighting its many engineering
advancements.  Steve Keyes Director of Corporate communications for Volkswagen
of America, will also provide an overview of the New Beetle's marketing
strategy and advertising campaign.
    While it rekindles the magic of its legendary namesake, the New Beetle --
despite the retro styling -- is a completely modern design, appealing to
motorists who fondly recall the past, as well as younger customers who have no
connection to the original.  Unlike the original Beetle which provided
only basic transportation, the New Beetle is an up-market lifestyle vehicle,
designed to make the experience of driving fun again.  It is larger than the
original, both inside and out, and shares no parts with its predecessor.
    Powered by a transverse, front-mounted, four-cylinder gasoline engine,
the New Beetle uses front-wheel drive.  A highly advanced optional Turbo
Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine delivers an EPA rating of 48 MPG
(highway) and a driving range of nearly 700 miles -- that's a one tank trip
from Detroit to Woodstock, with fuel to spare!  Mated to these powerplants is
a standard five-speed manual transaxle with hydraulic clutch or an optional
four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that employs
"adaptive learning" to better personalize shift patterns according to
individual driving styles.
    Based on Volkswagen's Golf chassis, the New Beetle utilizes innovative
production techniques, like laser welding, to achieve unmatched
torsional and body rigidity.  A priority in its development, the vehicle's
advanced occupant safety system includes energy absorbing crush zones, dual
airbags, front-seat mounted side airbags and pre-tensioning front safety
belts, front and rear headrests and daytime running lights.
    To learn more about the exciting New Beetle, join SAE at Burton Manor,
27777 Schoolcraft Road, in Livonia -- tie-dye optional.  A social hour,
sponsored by Volkswagen, begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.;
the presentation begins promptly at 7:30 p.m.  Reservations are required and
can be obtained by calling the SAE Detroit Section at 248-357-3340.  Tickets
are priced at $29 each, $14.50 for SAE student members.  The meeting is open
to SAE members and non-members.