A Gender-Neutral Beetle

There has always been a fascination with the VW Bug ever since its introduction in 1938. Volkswagen announced a new edition - a gender-neutral beetle. David Shepardson of Detroit News Washington Bureau wrote, "Volkswagen is aiming to shed the "chick car" label and unveiled its more muscular 2012 Beetle today across the globe. Phil Patton of the NY Times called it, "2012 Volkswagen Beetle: A Bug With a Rampaging Y Chromosome."

If you haven't seen the YouTube Video, I highly recommend it. It is worth viewing and you can see it here.

Volkswagen is calling it the 21^st Century Beetle. The sleek design will appeal to both sexes. Older models of the VW Beetle have typically been branded a "girly" car but the longer, lower, wider and sleeker model that sports a GPS for the first time is said to broaden the appeal. Add to the new design features a 10.9 cubic feet storage behind the rear seat and you have an ergonomically designed automobile that incorporates today's technologies with fuel efficiency. Volkswagen told the team of engineers to "Design a new original," and it appears that they have.

There is still no word on pricing and that appears to be on the minds of those interested in the new designed Beetle. Although some media analysts have stated that it would have to be affordable regardless which gender it appeals to. The 2010 models MSRP was about $18,690.

If you remember, Oprah gave everyone in her audience a sneak preview (and a new Beetle key!) back in November of 2010. You can see that here. The show was the 2012 Beetle Giveaway on Oprah's Final "My Favorite Things" Show .

I didn't make it to Oprah's grand finale and I'm not in the market to purchase a new car but if I was, I would be definitely checking out this new bug.

Sources:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110418/AUTO01/104180373/

http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/18/autos/volkswagen_new_beetle/index.htm

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/volkswagen-beetle-muscles-in-on-gti-territory/

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/2012-volkswagen-beetle-a-bug-with-a-rampaging-y-chromosome/

http://blogs.vw.com/beetle/?context=HomeMasthead

http://blogs.vw.com/beetle/%E2%80%9Cmore-power-flower%E2%80%9D-people-21st-century-beetle/

http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/04/18/VWs-New-Beetle-Manly-Yes-But-Shell-Like-It-Too.aspx