I remember when my math tutor Mrs. Solomon used to drive me around in her bright orange 1978 Beetle. Man I thought that car was so interesting. It had a milky white interior, and with it’s super round bug shape, at 10-years old riding in the Beetle, I felt like I had arrived. Although - it was so loud…. I could barely hear my own thoughts!
Most of us know that for a while in the US the Beetle disappeared. But in 1998 it came back with a similar classic styling to the original.
Did you know: The Beetle was ultimately the longest and most produced automobile for a single design.
The 2007 VW Beetle
Base price: $23,825
Vehicle type: front-engine, front-drive; 2-door 4-passenger convertible
Interior volume, F/R/cargo (cu ft) 49/29/5
Wheelbase 98.8 in
Length/width/height 161.1/67.9/59.1 in
Turning circle 35.8 ft
Curb weight 3248 lb
EPA city/hwy mpg 22/30
Fuel-tank capacity/range 14.5 gal/319 mi
POWERTRAIN
2.5-liter DOHC 20-valve inline-5; 6-sp auto with manumatic shifting
SUSPENSION
F ind, struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
R ind, trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
F/R vented disc/disc
ABS standard
Caranddriver.com says….
HIGHS
Iconic shape; power-operated top; impressive build quality.
LOWS
Five-cylinder drones; tight rear-seat space; limited trunk space.
WHAT’S NEW
No major changes for 2007, except the death of the diesel option.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Ragtop Beetle is cute, fun-to-drive, and reasonable solid, but the five-cylinder will inevitably underwhelm.
CAPSULE REVIEW
The iconic shape hides the underpinnings of the previous-generation Golf and a five-cylinder engine that lacks refinement and power. Electrically operated fabric top folds quickly but creates a large stack when folded. Still, this aging car will likely sell on looks alone.
