Used 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Coupe Review & Ratings

The Volkswagen Beetle has earned its place in World motoring history as the longest running car design, in production for more than 70 years, with more than twenty million cars sold throughout the globe. The original rear engined Beetle was gradually taken out of production in 2003, to be replaced by a front engined revamped body shape version that was launched in 1998. The Series Two version of the Volkswagen Beetle was initially given the title of the "New Beetle" but as memories of the classic Beetle began to fade, then the New Beetle gradually became to be known as just the Volkswagen Beetle.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle bears more of a resemblance, body wise, to the original and classic design than the interim version, being longer, lower and wider, sharing its platform with the Volkswagen Jetta. The Series Three Beetle is being produced in Volkswagen's plant in Mexico for the North and Central American market.

Coming with a choice of either a 2.5 liter five cylinder engine generating 170 horsepower and 177 pounds per feet of torque or a 2.5 liter four cylinder turbo-charged engine generating 200 horsepower and 207 pounds per feet of torque, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle comes paired with either a five speed manual or six speed automatic transmission. For the standard engine the automatic transmission comes as standard while the turbo-charged version comes with a choice of either a six speed manual or a six speed direct shift gearbox (DSG).

The Beetle comes with Macpherson strut suspension for the front and torsion beam suspension for the rear backed up by a front and rear stabilizer bar, while the Turbo comes with its own sport tuned suspension.

Irrespective of the engine size, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is available currently in two door, four seater hatchback version format , although there are plans for a cabriolet and four door saloon to be introduced some time during the course of the year.

Although lower than its Series Two predecessor, the Series Three 2012 Beetle is still tall enough and wide enough and even long enough to provide ample leg room for four people in comfort for the longest journey. In terms of storage space, as a mid size compact hatchback, the Volkswagen Beetle is certainly not found wanting with 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space available.