Volkswagen finally launch the new facelifted version of the Beetle in India on 19 December with a price tag of Rs 28.73 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Beetle, which made its debut in India in 2009 and recently unveiled to the Indian public at the 2012 Auto Expo, was discontinued as soon as the stock ran out due to average styling and high price tag. However, with a sudden boom in the hatchback segment, With launch Volkswagen hopes to re-introduce the iconic hatchback as a flagship product in the country this December. The car will rival against the Mini Cooper and the Abarth 595 Competizione.
The new Beetle is larger than the outgoing model, it is more muscular and sportier than before. The styling is much more mature and angular, it also has a raked roofline, and comes with a spoiler integrated at the back. The new Beetle is also lower, wider and longer than the previous version. The car retains its iconic three semi-circle design elements but the roof looks more coupe like due to the windscreen rake in the new model.
Based on the PQ35 platform this new Volkswagen Beetle comes with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged TSI petrol engine which produces 160PS | 120BHP of peak power and a maximum torque of 200Nm which is similar to the one in the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed DSG gearbox which is mated to a front-wheel-drive drivetrain which helps the updated Volkswagen Beetle to zoom from 0-100km/h in just 8.4 seconds. Volkswagen also claims that the new 1.4-litre engine is about 35% more fuel efficient than the earlier model's powertrain and that too without compromising on power. Unfortunately, no diesel option will be available in the new Beetle for India.
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