The Volkswagen Beetle dropped the word “New” from its name for the 2012 model.
The change marked the successor to Volkswagen’s retro-styled New Beetle, which had been sold from 1998 through 2010. Although the 2012 car was thoroughly redesigned, Volkswagen marketed it simply as the Beetle. The new version was longer, wider, and lower than its predecessor, with proportions intended to look sportier and more closely connected to the original Beetle.
The name change created an amusing contradiction: the vehicle was genuinely new, but it was no longer called “New Beetle.” The earlier model had revived the rounded shape of the classic Volkswagen Type 1 and helped popularize modern retro automobile design. Its flower vase and highly curved styling became recognizable signatures.
The 2012 Beetle used the company’s PQ35 platform, shared with cars including the Volkswagen Golf. It was offered with several petrol and diesel engines, depending on market. In the United States, the redesigned model arrived with a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, while turbocharged versions offered stronger performance. The Beetle name continued for the final generation until production ended in 2019.