New VW 'Bug' for American love

American motorists are no matter - in Germany and the VW Beetle take the rest of Europe - on the latest generation?

More than seven decades after the start of the original "people's car," a completely new bug is finally in showrooms roles - or maybe should, read the beetle "Newer", such as VW new bug of the so-called new beetle the German automaker replaced to general indifference in large parts of the world ten years ago in life launched.

That was the case particularly in Germany, where driver retro-mobile saw as an unpleasant reminder on the scant days after the end of the second WELTKRIEGS. It was cheap transport for a devastated nation on the search after it was no longer chic more than bicycles, but by the turn of the new millennium. New Beetle developed now strong, but short lived cult in the United States. Demand for cars fell quickly as was ridiculed the round design as a "Chick car."

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With the introduction of third generation beetle Volkswagen designers have adopted, what they describe as "Heritage" styling, assumption of the extended muzzle of the original car with the type of the Coupe 2012 all comfort and security of buyers of the original beetle could have only dreamed.

Designed by the legendary Ferdinand Porsche-, that went on, his name and his talents at the Stuttgart sports car company first in showrooms in the days give - the beetle, immediately before the second world war are rolled. Only a small number made hardly a few survived to it on the market before the start of hostilities and after the war. One was even in the ruins the carmaker plans in Wolfsburg, Germany, by a British military section found, which was charged with support to revive the German economy.

Ultimately the design in production remained for 75 years paid a VW assembly line in Mexico the last beetle approximately 21 million in 2003.

The iconic design was then, outdated and not always more stringent global security and emissions meet standards. So that VW rolled out new beetle, designed by a team under the direction of J Mays, now the Chief stylist at Ford. Rounder and more compact than the original, the replacement Coupe caught quickly - but just as quickly burned out. Sales in the United States reached 83,434 in 1999, but by 2009 had demand dropped by only 14,085.

At best a new beetle sales in the United States barely a quarter of the 350,000 of the original beetle at its peak saw. And the car was even more badly abroad.

But when pressed, to simply walk away from the car and concede defeat, VW officials said, "No".

"It is an iconic part of our history for us", explains Rainer Michael, Volkswagen Vice President for product and marketing.

The challenge was a new design that appeal could be extended to the new beetle come - both by drawing more men to the car and the expansion of the global market.

Designer carefully examined the original beetle and it took the more sporty cues, originally from Porsche written three quarters of a century ago. The 2012 beetle muzzle is longer, and not a "living room-like cabin", the new version of the car "more like sitting in a sports car" is the well-known Andreas Valbuena, the Beetle Program Manager.

In fact, there is a surprising degree of similarity between the reborn error - which is lower, longer and wider than the car replaced - and early versions of the Porsche 911.

Designers have followed carefully, the revival of the car classic details, as that while fighting "Beetle stream" or the second glove box, to avoid, that retro also accused - in these days a feared name in the automotive industry.

Beyond its design is 2012 VW Beetle decided with modern, a number of airbags and other State-of-the-art security features. It is quick to point out that with optional 19-inch wheels, its sporting intentions. And there is unlimited comfort and convenience features, including a large LCD navigation display and even a music-blasting audio system developed of American rock, Fender in cooperation with this icon.

Valbuena is confident that the new model will be no more than a "girl's car" are dismissed, and the new design is certainly moved many stares and positive waves during a detour is driving by in Berlin recently.

The automotive world has changed dramatically since the original beetle ruled the streets. At one point the car itself does not have a name (it was marketed the "Volkswagen." as easy) today are filled with a growing cast of the products of the brand of showrooms. And the beetle will fall into a pool filled alternatives competent with competitor.

A key to the demand after the beetle after declines the first attraction of the new car will be retained, the new variants, introduction explains Manager Valbuena beetles. A Turbo and a convertible package are already in the works and other alternatives will follow, he indicated.

"Something to keep fresh and new each year will follow," promised Valbuena.

The latest beetle can the success of the original match? This means a 75-year lifetime and 21 million cars - or sales of 350,000 per year - in the United States

No chance, rooms fast VW officials. In fact recognized demand probably more mainstream models, such as the golf, Jetta and Passat, delay is Jonathan Browning, head of the Volkswagen Group of America.

But VW is betting that the small Coupe provides the kind of iconic face on the brand, have only a few other car manufacturers. And will that company officials are betting that beetles greatest contribution going forward.

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