Search the Community

The photo above shows what a 320hp new Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0TFSi looks like. The car is tuned by German tuners B&B (don't really know who they are as too many tuners seem to be popping out of the German woodwork) and it comes complete with cheesy go-faster 'Turbo' stickers emblazoned on its side, a lowered stance and larger matte black rims. After all of that it still doesn't look fast. I somehow think Volkswagen has actually missed its target of making the latest version of the New Beetle more masculine. Take a look at Volkswagen's Beetle R Concept with its Audi R8 style front bumper and it still looks a little Jennifer Aniston in a call girls outfit. If it were a man it would be Boy George instead of George of the Jungle. It needs to be Kate Beckinsale instead. I will get to Miss Beckinsale in a moment. I think the original Volkswagen Beetle in 'race clothing' is more masculine that this and the earlier version. It could be because of the really bulbous arches. Or the fact that it actually looked good with mag wheels. Even the previous Beetle RSi looked slightly awkward with that paste on rear wing. It looks like it was more suitable for Miss Aniston instead of a manly man like Phua Chu Kang. Maybe they need to find a little more aggression in the design. I mean there are really cool looking women out there like Kate Beckinsale or Angelina Jolie as inspiration for Beetle designers. Maybe they should be looking at a feminine Beetle with a hint of black leather. Kate Beckinsale in leather in those Underworld movies is where they should start. It isn't about making the Beetle look masculine, but something that incorporates sex and violence. What the current Beetle is to me is a car devoid of any sexiness and violence. There's no real cuteness too. It still looks forced retro unlike the BMW Mini and the new Fiat 500. So how should Volkswagen design the new Beetle then? If you think about it the Nissan Fairlady 350/370Z does this quite well. Curves (sexy), in all the right places, a feminine name and oversteer when you want it (violence) when you want it.

The totally new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has barely hit most markets around the world but as usual, the tuning houses have gotten their hands on it. ABT, known for tuning VW Group cars have their pimped out Beetle ready and wants us to call it the 'Speedie'. A bodykit, alloy wheels and 'go-faster' stripes and it deserves to be called 'Speedie'? I doubt it if you went out and bought the base 105bhp 1.2-litre TSI version. Even with ABT's ECU tweaks for that engine. But do continue reading anyway. Anyway, the ABT Volkswagen Beetle Speedie (which I think is what it's called in full) is basically ABT's first step in tuning the all new, new Beetle (I just had to say it in this way as this IS the revamp of the first new Beetle). ABT have not finalized details of the engine mods and have just stated that the Speedie will have tweaks for its looks. It has a complete bodykit