Source : Super Vw Magazine issue #116
Author : Julien-David Collombet
Pictures : Ph. Dahn

Title: A NEW BEETLE FOR EVERYONE !

Header : Unbelievable ! while traveling thru Arizona, a photograph discovered the first road tests of the future new beetle "light". Would this dream become available for everyone ?

Content: First of all, be awared that none of this informations have been confirmed by the factory. But from a sure source, this project should be on the road for year 2000. It seems that an economic version with a rear air cooled engine would be proposed to the true beetle lovers (the old new beetle!)

Unexpected meeting
During a trip to Arizona, traditionnal road tests zone because of the deserts that allow discretion, a photograph found this new version. He took profit of the situation and shot some pictures. This new beetle "light" (its current denomination) shares a lot with the new beetle "classic". But, looking at this with greater attention, differences are evident. The interior is basic and looks surprisingly to the old Polo's (Fox) still built in Puebla, this explaining that. The dashboard is almost the same excepts for the speedos. Only a few knobs (Esp, heating seats) have disappeard. The glaces are now hand opered, seats and steering wheel are fixes. Well, look for luxury and comfort in this version !

Basic
For the body, it's the same. Only the pan differs and comes drom the Brazilia, and so the suspension. It has the 5 speed gearbox of the Transporter and a new 1800cm flat four derived from a new generation type IV and aircooled. With the Motronics electronic fuel injection, it's not less than 84Hp at 5200rpm that move you (according to the test pilot).
Like her grand sister, it will be built in Mexico and the price should be around 120000 new pesos, around 70000 french francs (trad. note : 14000 U.S $) Too bad this model is intended for the local market first then to the third world countries. It seems that such a model would find his place on our roads.

(Trad. note:
_This article ends with a call out for a mailing to V.A.G requesting new beetle light for Europe. _Phillipe Dahn is well known photograph/writer of the french custom car magazine Nitro (author of one of the first leadsled made of a french car that was issued in the first national car magazine "l'Auto Journal") that made move to America and opened Frog Specialities, a Vdub locker and collaborated with american Vw magazines. The funny is that the manager of Super Vw magazine and part of the team were issued of Nitro magazine so this scoop comes back to where it came from !)