BRAINTREE, Mass., June 16, 2011 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Volkswagen’s 21st Century Beetle has received a lot of press for its flashy design, its deep history and even its powerful engines, but its price has until recently remained a mystery. This is the case no longer, as Volkswagen recently announced that the latest Beetle will carry an $18,995 starting price and a $770 destination charge when it arrives this fall at VW dealers like Quirk Volkswagen of Braintree.
For that money, new owners will get the 21st Century Volkswagen Beetle with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which Volkswagen estimates will be good for 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission. Volkswagen fans looking for more power can opt for the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine shared with the 2011 Volkswagen GTI, which will generate 200 horsepower and carry a price tag of $23,395 plus delivery. A 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel Beetle model has yet to be priced, but Volkswagen expects it to become the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever, estimating fuel economy at 40 mpg on the highway.
“Incentives and options change the bottom line pretty quickly, but the 21st Century Beetle is setting up to be a competitive and very stylish alternative to the everyday compact car,” said Jason Thompson, general manager of Quirk Volkswagen, a Greater Boston Volkswagen dealership. “Volkswagen is the original ‘People’s Car,’ and the pricing of the latest Beetle reflects that. It’s an affordable icon.”
Longer, lower and wider than the Volkswagen New Beetle retired in 2010, the 21st Century Beetle takes on a decidedly more aggressive attitude inside and out. Gone is the flower vase on the dash and added is a 400-watt Fender audio system. The 21st Century Beetle offers some big changes compared with the retired model, and it’s not the only 2012 Volkswagen departing from the norm.
The 2012 Volkswagen Passat has gotten bigger, roomier and more affordable to broaden its appeal to U.S. buyers. Designed in Germany and built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the new Passat arriving at dealerships this fall will come with a base MSRP of $19,995 plus a $770 destination charge. For that price, buyers get a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. A TDI Clean Diesel version of the Passat will get 43 mpg on the highway, according to VW estimates, and will come in at a reasonable $25,995 plus destination charge. Rounding out the new Passat lineup is a model with a 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 powertrain that will start at $28,995 plus delivery.
Standard features in the Passat include dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth connectivity. The 2012 Passat also showcases Volkswagen’s forward thinking, with unexpected features like a mat to use when changing a flat tire and heat-insulated glass that helps keep the car’s interior cool during the summer months.
“Most carmakers are now going with a one-size-fits-all, global car approach, which has never worked well with American buyers,” Thompson said. “Volkswagen sees building cars that are uniquely American as the key to their future growth, and if the success of new Jetta is any indication, they’re on the right track.”
About Quirk Volkswagen:
Quirk Volkswagen is the premier Greater Boston Volkswagen dealer. Massachusetts Volkswagen customers choose Quirk for great service and pricing on new and used VW cars. A dedicated and knowledgeable staff is on hand to show you their extensive selection, with Volkswagen models ranging from the Jetta to the Touareg. You can preview their inventory online at www.quirkvw.com, reach them by phone at (877) 624-0143 or visit their dealership showroom at 20 Granite Street in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Media Contact:
Jim Smith, of Quirk Automotive Group, 781-843-4800