The 2011 New New Beetle

As most of you know, Doc truly cherishes her 2001 New Beetle. However, 10 years later, Volkswagen has done the unthinkable. They have taken the familiar Beetle design, that we all know, love and recognize, and literally flattened it, like a pancake, into what they call the New New Beetle. According to 'Automobile' Volkswagen has done this unthinkable act in an effort to increase cabin space and cargo space. However, in reality, all they have done is increase the length by only 3.5". Also according to 'Automobile,' the 2011 New New Beetle includes a more upright windshield, a wider track, and a reduced front overhang.

The results, as far as Doc is concerned, are hideous. The new version of my cherished ride now looks as if someone placed it into a car crusher but didn't complete the process. And what about the cabin space issue? Ridiculous! My 2001 New Beetle's rounded roofline and landing strip, as we lovingly call the front dashboard, create so much room within the cabin that we actually prefer our New Beetle over all of our other cars due to the lack of head injury when entering and exiting the car. Flattening the roofline is merely going to make the New New Beetle more like the standard cars rolling out of Detroit each and every day. I don't know about you but I know Doc doesn't like starting her day with a good head bashing on the roof of her car.

As for the cargo space? Well that too is ridiculous. We use our 2001 Beetle for everything. We have been camping in it, have moved my grandmother's estate in it and have even gone yard selling in it. We have never had problems with cargo space so I cannot imagine how 3.5" could even make a difference one could feel. How I look at it is, if you need more space rent a UHaul tow behind because Beetles are very good at towing. We towed a UHaul all the way from New Jersey to New Hampshire on the back of our 2001 Beetle with no problems other then funny stares from passerby.

So does Doc like anything about the New New Beetle. Actually I love the idea of the wider track. My 2001 Beetle already has a very wide track, designed for use on the Audubon. This wide track enables the car to maintain high speeds and still take corners like a professional race car does. My 2001 Beetle in fact was able to handle extremely curvy roads, designed for 20-30 MPH driving, even though I was doing in excess of 60 MPH. (I was heading to the hospital both times and don't suggest driving like this frequently, even in the safety of your New Beetle.)

If you do decide that you want to go ahead and try the New New Beetle for yourself I know that you will end up with the same dependability and safety that Volkswagen has always been noted for. I also know that the one flaw in a Volkswagen is its high cost of repairs so be prepared. I spend a good $1,000 or more in repairs each year on my own 2001 Beetle. Then again, she is starting to age. However, with the onslaught of the 2011 New New Beetle I intend on keeping my cherished Beetle alive for decades to come so maybe I do go a bit overboard with repairs. Either way, be prepared for high upkeep costs, dependability, safety and loads of love from your 2011 New New Beetle.

To check out the 2011 New New Beetle for yourself go tohttp://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1003_2011_volkswagen_new_beetle/index.html which is where I got my information about the New New Beetle. To check out Doc's review of the 2001 New Beetle go to http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2374438/the_vw_beatle.html?cat=27 .