Not many cars end up being icons. These
cars have something inherently unique about them that they end up
being revered after a period of time. Some gain such a reputation by
their performance. Some by their style and some manage to do both.
On one end of the scale, there are
those icons like the Porsche 911. A car renowned for its performance
and also its styling. It has become one of the benchmarks for a
performance car and its silhouette is immediately recognisable. There
are also cars like most Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. The mere
whisper of their name sends motorheads weak in the knees. These are
performance icons.
But the great thing about motoring is
that iconic cars are not just limited to the supercars and the
coupes. We also have iconic cars that started off as affordable cars.
We have the Fiat 500, the Mini and the Volkswagen Beetle. These cars
have styling and shape that is instantly recongnisable and somehow,
these cars are also those that invoke memories of the good old days
where a car meant a lot more than what it is today. And their design
would seem to be evergreen in its outlook. Drive one of the cars
mentioned above and you will still get warm looks and glances.
And so car manufacturers have realised
this and you now see newer cars, having the same basic shape as the
icons but made anew and modern for this day and age. I got to drive one of
these icons recently - The Volkswagen Beetle 1.2TSI Sport.
The Beetle 1.2TSI is the second
generation new Beetle. It takes after the original long lived version
of the People's Car. It looks better than the 1998-2010 version and
you get all of the retro touches like the original. The bulbous shape
and the body coloured interior complete with a glovebox on the
dashboard like the original.
The thing that I like about this
current Beetle is the fact that it does not look like a car that only
a girl could drive. The previous model was more feminine and upright
in styling. This one is wider and lower. It still keeps the styling
cues of the original but the translation from paper to metal is so
much better than previously. Even Volkswagen stated that the reason
why the Beetle looks like this is to attract more male buyers. I
think they have hit the nail here as I somehow don't feel like I have
the need to apply nailpolish or mascara and carry a handbag.
Volkswagen Malaysia currently brings in
the Beetle in 1.2liter form at the moment. There is the 1.2 TSI
Design at RM135,888++ and the 1.2 TSI Sport at RM140,888++. Both are
powered by the same turbocharged 1.2liter TFSI engine that makes
105ps and 175Nm torque. This drives the front wheels via a 7 speed
dual clutch gearbox. The difference between the Design and the Sport
variants is that you get the standard equipment upgraded with some
additional 'sporty' bits. It also gets LED daytime running lights in
Sport.
The Sport bits include ‘Climatronic’
air conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control over the standard
controls, cruise control, front sports seats with height adjustment, lumbar support
and seat heater, paddle shifter and an upgraded radio ‘RCD 510’
touch screen 6 CD changer with CD/MP3/WMA replay function instead of
the RCD 310.
Oh. The version I tested had sporty stripes and the
word 'Bug' written on the tailgate and on the stickers on its side too. Aptly so. This is the Beetle Bug Edition. The extra bits include genuine Volkswagen Bug side sill, side decals, body stripes and Bug logo for an extra RM6,000 over the Beetle Sport price mentioned above.
What's it like to drive?
Now the Volkswagen Beetle, codenamed
A5, like most modern Volkswagen is based on a shared platform. It
currently shares the same architecture as the current Volkswagen
Jetta and the Mk 6 Golf. Inside you get the body coloured panels (in
plastic), a leather wrapped steering wheel and typically legible
instrumentation that is nice to the touch. The sports seats in this
Sport variant are simply a very nice place to put your behind on. It
has a ribbed leather finish that you'd also find in the Scirocco.
Together with the adjustable tilt and reach steering, one could get
properly comfy in them. The controls are light and easy to use and
visibility is good because of the upright windscreen and airy
glasshouse.
As this is a two door 'coupe' (with a
rear hatch), getting in an out requires the front passenger/driver to
get up from the seat which tilts and slides forward. Getting in an
out is fairly easy as the space for doing so is pretty big. Even big
boys like me can easily get in an out without suffering from a
twisted spine or muscle sprains.
On the move you find that the Beetle
1.2 feels like a Mk 6 Golf TSI in terms of how it rides and goes over
bumps. The suspension, multi links up front and a torsion beam at the
rear (only the 2.0 version gets a multi link rear suspension) works
fine on the highway, sweeping B roads and where things are smooth and
flowing. When the road surfaces are a little bad or there are ripples on the tarmac, some of
the irregularities are filtered into the cabin as road noise. But more on the tyre/road noise than actual suspension clobber or up-down secondary body
movement. It likes better built surfaces. It is actually very Mk 6 Golf like in this aspect. Slightly down from the
better riding Mk 7 Golf we have now. The Jetta which shares the same
platform rides better because of the extra length in the wheelbase.
But if you compare in general to the cars in the Beetle's pricetag,
there is nothing really much to complain as it does not really do
things badly. Just a tad bit average in terms of overall ride
comfort.
Noise insulation is good in town and at
most speeds. However, I took the car on an outstation jaunt to Muar
over the weekend and on the more open highway, there was some wind
buffeting right at the middle of the windscreen. Whilst there is no
susceptibility to crosswinds in terms of handling, the slightly
upright design of the windscreen may be the cause of the extra wind
noise at speeds in excess of 130kmh.
In terms of high speed stability and
tracking the Beetle 1.2 TSI is extremely stable for a car in the
compact car category. Even on sweeping and undulating corners on the
B roads around Muar the Beetle grips well and can be flung with some
abandon. However it prefers smooth inputs rather than manhandling it.
This means if you keep it smooth, the Beetle will be quite rewarding to drive. As for
steering feel, the Beetle 1.2 TSI has a lack of it. It may have the
proper weighting and it may be accurate, but has little feeedback. Much like a computer game. Somehow Volkswagen must have different teams tuning up the suspension
of their cars as the Jetta which uses the same platform has better
feel.
As for its engine performance, the
Beetle 1.2 with DSG is claimed to hit 0-100kmh in around 10.9 seconds
and have a top speed of 180kmh. I managed to hit both targets.
Combined fuel economy on this car is claimed to be 5.9liters per
100km. Unfortunately, I only managed an average combined figure of
10.5liters per 100km. Blame my heavy right foot. Or the fact that
this is still a 1.2liter engine trying to lug a car that weighs
1307kg empty. Whilst the turbocharged engine actually made me feel
like I was driving something with at least a 1.8liter engine, it is
still just a small engine that has just been milked by its road
tester. I believe this is what caused the slightly bad fuel economy.
But this car is one with a big heart.
Its performance was actually commendable for its small size. This
Beetle may only have a 1.2liter heart, but it has one that is so very
willing. Especially when coupled to that extremely fast DSG box which
I found is better suited if left in 'Sports' mode. The normal mode
feels a little lethargic. I suppose I like . It's like the little
engine that could.
The Beetle 1.2 TSI Sport works well on
so many grounds and it is the cheapest of the new incarnation of car
icons here in Malaysia. Its rivals, the Fiat 500 isn't officially
sold in Malaysia and the BMW Mini starts at RM148,000++. As a brand
new car with funky rounded inviting bug-like looks, confident
handling and premium car feel there is no car like it on the market.
And for that, this Beetle gets a vote from me as one of those cars
you buy for its styling over anything else.
Conclusion: An icon properly reinvented
for our times
Pros: good looks, confident handling,
ample performance from a 1.2liter engine
Cons: susceptible to some road noise,
wind noise when faced with crosswinds, because its only a 1.2liter
engine fuel economy may suffer if pushed, steering lacking in feel
2015 Volkswagen Beetle 1.2 TSI Sport Bug Edition
0-100kmh - 10.9 seconds
Top speed - 180kmh (tested)
Average Fuel Consumption - 10.5liters/100km (Tested)
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