Volkswagen does it again! We all expected there to be a convertible version of the New Beetle, but now engineers and stylists at VW have unveiled a whole family of exciting variants - including a speedster harking back to the Hebmuller, an MPV, a stylish van, a pickup as well as the much anticipated V6 hot hatch!
It seems that all the success of the newbie in the states and world over has gone to VW's head. And we love them for it. These new designs may look just like simple concepts - but many have been given the stamp of approval and are now making their way to production. All of them will share the same chassis, engines, and family characteristics.
The reason for this
exciting speedster is because the cabrio concept Newbie has been shelved. Volkswagen
apparently felt that it would overlap too much with the Golf cabrio and the
forthcoming Bora cabrio. But the demand for a drop-top was always strong, especially
in the US. So The speedster model is the result. This stylish conversion has
a lower roof, and just two seats. This model also has sportier aspirations,
with the interior being altered with extensive use of aluminum to give that
racing feel. To complete, the speedster will share the same running gear as
the forthcoming V6 hot hatch version.
The 'hot' version uses
a lot of lessons learnt from the twin turbo Beetle RSi.
it may not be as wild looking but it'll still have the 4-Motion all wheel drive
and a 204bhp, 2.8 litre V6 from the Golf range.
At the other end of the spectrum
Volkswagen have also developed more main stream vehicles using the Beetles strong
flavour. First up comes the MPV aiming slap bang in the middle of the Renault
Scenic territory. A Golf MPV is already in development, so a newbie version
shouldn't be too difficult. The name Combi may even be revived for this practicle
family car.
The final shock from
VW is the consideration of producing pick-up and van versions. The pickup, which
looks a lot like the old Morris Minor pickup, is likely to hit production appealing
to the style concious and surfers of the world, with particular targets being
the States, Australia and South Africa. The pick-up would use the streached floorpan
used in the MPV and the Golf estate giving that extra bit of loading capacity and cabin
comfort.
The final vehicle is the van. What with the Renault starting to produce characterful vans such as the Kangoo, VW wouldn't go far wrong with a newbie version. It may be expensive, but it would be one heck of a stylish work van!
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