2006 Volkswagen New Beetle

The iconic old Volkswagen Beetle is a rare sight in the Chicago area because the last ones sold in America were 1979 convertibles. However, the New Beetle seems to be everywhere because it debuted for the 1998 model year and has had no styling changes.

The old Beetle was tremendously popular until Japanese cars began giving it strong competition in the early 1970s. It took a few years for Americans to begin a love affair with the old Beetle, which arrived here (all two of them) in 1949. But the New Beetle was an immediate hit and gave Volkswagen a tremendous popularity boost. Many folks paid more than list price to get one. A convertible version didn't arrive until 2003.

The New Beetle no longer is the newest thing on the block, but Volkswagen still sold 30,994 of this model through October -- although that was off from 37,006 in the same year-ago period.

The New Beetle hatchback has the basic shape of the old one, but couldn't be more different in other ways. For instance, there was no hatchback version of the old Beetle because it had an air-cooled engine in the rear that drove the rear wheels. The New Beetle has a liquid-cooled engine up front driving the front wheels.

The old Beetle was rugged, reliable, economical and nicely built. It also was slow and had just adequate handling and braking -- not to mention a cramped interior and virtually no safety features. But the New Beetle is thoroughly modern. Its only major drawback is a small trunk. But at least the trunk is usefully shaped and you can flip the rear seatbacks forward in the hatchback model for more cargo space.

The 2006 New Beetle hatchback prices go from $17,180 to $19,465. The convertible version costs $21,920 to $22,995

There are major changes to the latest version of the New Beetle -- or at least about as major as Volks-wagen can make them. It's kept the styling virtually the same because it is a major part of the car's charm. But the 2006 New Beetle has a slightly more streamlined look.

A new bumper design flows from the hood and trunk and wraps unobstructed into the fender sides. There also are new, more oval headlights, larger taillights and sharper wheel arches along the body sides that accent stronger character lines. The more observant will notice that an oval fuel filler door replaces the previous rectangular door.

The convertible is especially attractive, resembling the classic 1950s Porsche Speedster.

Inside the quiet New Beetle interior is an updated single-bezel instrument cluster that houses a large 140-mph speedometer and too-small tachometer and fuel gauge. Chrome accents enhance the cluster and dashboard air vents. Side sun visors have been redesigned to be more effective, and a newly designed console has larger cupholders.

Volkswagen has made it easier to order the New Beetle because it comes with only two engines: a base 2.5-liter, 150-horsepower five-cylinder gas engine for the hatchback and convertible or a very economical 1.9-liter, 100-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine for the hatchback.

The gas engine, which needs only 87-octane fuel, replaces two discontinued gas engines and was developed specifically for U.S. driving.

The gas engine comes with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission with Volkswagen's Tiptronic manual-shift feature. The diesel is offered with the manual gearbox or an innovative new six-speed "DSG" automatic transmission; it allows fully automatic, semi-automatic and manual gear changes without the power interruption associated with traditional clutch use.

The New Beetle gas version does 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds with the manual transmission and in 8.6 seconds with the automatic. It provides an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 31 on highways with the manual and 23 and 32 with the automatic.

The impressive gas engine has dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, cross-flow cylinder heads and an advanced fuel injection system. It delivers 90 percent of its torque from 1,750 to 5,125 rpm for quick response to the throttle.

The diesel model hits 60 mph in a respectable 10.3 seconds with the manual and in 10.9 seconds with the automatic. Its estimated economy is 37 city and 44 highway with the manual and 35 city and 42 highway with the automatic. It's a modern direct-injection diesel, with none of the smell and smoke of the old diesels.

The New Beetle is fun to drive. It's not as agile as, say, a Mini Cooper, but the steering is quick, handling is sharp, braking is strong and the ride is firm but compliant. The old Beetle also was fun to drive, although it had a dated design even in its era. Drawbacks included minimal standard equipment.

The New Beetle has many standard features, including air conditioning, cruise control, in-dash CD/MP3 radio with six speakers and power windows and locks. There's also a tilt-telescopic wheel and fully reclining, height-adjustable front seats that provide good side support but have awkward backrest recliner controls.

Space up front is good, with tremendous headroom, but rear seat room is rather tight. Long doors allow decent rear-seat entry, but are a handicap in tight parking spots.

Standard safety features include front side airbags with head and torso protection.

A new Electronic Stabilization System with brake assist accompanies the anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and traction control. Fairly large 16-inch wheels are standard. Optional are 17-inchers, which improve handling a bit, but hurt the ride a little.

A $1,390 option package for the hatchback contains a power sunroof, upgraded sound system and heated front seats. A $3,145 package has those items, along with leather seats, 17-inch wheels, fog lights and rain-sensing wipers.

The convertible offers a $1,325 package with a semi-automatic convertible top (instead of the standard manual-folding top), premium sound system, heated seats and a windblocker for less cockpit buffeting at highway speeds. There's also a $3,030 package with those items and leather seats, 17-inch wheels, fog lights and rain-sensing wipers.

Both New Beetle versions are offered with $375 XM or Sirius satellite radio and a $499 trunk mounted 6-disc CD changer.

The reasonably practical New Beetle is solidly built, and improvements to the 2006 version should make it more appealing. As with the old Beetle, there's nothing on the road quite like it. It will always look distinctive because no other automaker will ever copy its body shape. 

2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 

PRICES
$17,180-$22,995

LIKES
Larger standard engine. Revised styling. Lively. Solid. Fun to drive. High fuel economy.

DISLIKES
Small tachometer. Rather tight back seat. Long doors awkward in tight spots.