The 'Beetle' is back in India for 4k pounds

junky · 12th September 2007, 11:06

LONDON: Volkswagen is to build another no-frills "People's Car" for the 21st century, 70 years after the emergence of the first "Beetle".

The tiny 111/2foot-long four-seater will be unveiled on Monday night on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new Beetle will have its engine in the rear, with luggage space under the bonnet.

In China, India and other developing countries the car will cost around 4,000 pounds. In Britain and Europe it will cost around 5,000 pounds, reports The Daily Mail.

In the West, a three-cylinder petrol engine will form part of the car, while in toher places, a two-cylinder engine will be offered.

It is thought Apple is also working on an "intelligent" version of the car with wi-fi internet access.

Volkswagen, which means "people's car" in German, was set up by the Nazis to build cheap cars for the masses.

The brilliant designer Dr Ferdinand Porsche was told to create a car that could carry two adults and three children and cost less than 50 pounds - half the price of the other cars then on the market.

His design, the original Beetle, was given the go-ahead by Adolf Hitler in 1936.

But before production could start, the Second World War broke out and VW's factory in Wolfsburg switched to making military vehicles.

After the war, the ruined factory was rebuilt under the guidance of British Army officers led by Major Ivan Hirst and 10,000 Beetles were produced in 1946.

The Beetle, also nicknamed the Bug, went on to become an icon of the Swinging Sixties, and in 1972, it became the world's best-selling car, overtaking the Model T Ford.

Production switched to Mexico in 1978 and there the last original Beetle - number 21,529,464 - came off the line in 2003.

source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/2355402.cms

mithun · 12th September 2007, 13:19

Will there be any takers in India because it's shape ?

windsurfer · 12th September 2007, 13:38

I think there are lot of people out there who could buy this. Remember Swift was also radically very different and lot of people have liked it.

spadival · 12th September 2007, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun

Will there be any takers in India because it's shape ?

If there are buyers in India for NHC and the Swift.. why not the Beetle?

speedy · 12th September 2007, 13:56

the beetle would definately have takers in india. the shape is a big hit with the women and looks very cute. the original beetle was also a radical design for its time and had fast acceptance and became one of the most popular cars with the people. if VW manages to pull the same thing with the new beetle then i dont see anything stopping it, maybe the price would in india.

bigman · 12th September 2007, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun

Will there be any takers in India because it's shape ?

It is a new beetle so it may be nothing like the original beetle.

vikrantw1 · 12th September 2007, 15:00

I think we underestimate the maturity of the Indian consumer - we have been pretty open to accepting cars with odd shapes - if you think of it - the Ambassador and the Fiat Padmini - were cars with shapes that were quite unique - and that tradition continued with the Badal and the swift and nhc today

Sam Kapasi · 12th September 2007, 15:09

If Volkswagen ever releases a beetle in India, I will stand in line for a week to buy it at 4000 quid.

dadu · 12th September 2007, 15:40

Very true its big and the curves are perfect. I saw it running on bangalore roads 2-3 times and fell in love with it instantly, its different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

It is a new beetle so it may be nothing like the original beetle.

Me too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

If Volkswagen ever releases a beetle in India, I will stand in line for a week to buy it at 4000 quid.

Su-47 · 12th September 2007, 15:53

Are they serious about a two-cylinder engine or ET got it wrong? I'm curious as I haven't heard of a car running on a two-cyl engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by junky

In the West, a three-cylinder petrol engine will form part of the car, while in toher places, a two-cylinder engine will be offered.

junky · 12th September 2007, 16:31

check the site

normal
New Beetle Home

convertible
New Beetle Convertible Home

sushrutha · 12th September 2007, 16:56

Ohh is it just 4000 Pounds ?...
That's around 3,20,000 INR ... I'm gonna buy one sometime

vabs78 · 12th September 2007, 17:13

Are they really talking about the New Beetle? Or is it an entirely new car?

I think this might be it:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...car-india.html

Maverick1977 · 12th September 2007, 17:27

4000 pounds in India should have cost roughly 3.28 Lacs. However considering the consideration that the India Government considers the Car to be a Luxury, & that any Luxury item in India has to be necessarily taxed beyond a common man's reach the same thing will be priced at nothing less than 5 Lacs...
Given that the car will be a 2 cylinder engine the probability of ppl buying it in lots is doubtful...
Also with the Tata's & Nissan's thinking about bringing in the 1L car, the beetle might at the end of it all have a short lived life here...

JayD · 12th September 2007, 17:41

Are they going to launch the current new beetle @ 4 grand?? I think not! coz the current one is 16grand abroad!! I think i'l be an all new car. Maybe based on the lupo.

12th September 2007, 11:06	#1
junky BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 115 Thanked: 31 Times	The 'Beetle' is back in India for 4k pounds LONDON: Volkswagen is to build another no-frills "People's Car" for the 21st century, 70 years after the emergence of the first "Beetle". The tiny 111/2foot-long four-seater will be unveiled on Monday night on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Beetle will have its engine in the rear, with luggage space under the bonnet. In China, India and other developing countries the car will cost around 4,000 pounds. In Britain and Europe it will cost around 5,000 pounds, reports The Daily Mail. In the West, a three-cylinder petrol engine will form part of the car, while in toher places, a two-cylinder engine will be offered. It is thought Apple is also working on an "intelligent" version of the car with wi-fi internet access. Volkswagen, which means "people's car" in German, was set up by the Nazis to build cheap cars for the masses. The brilliant designer Dr Ferdinand Porsche was told to create a car that could carry two adults and three children and cost less than 50 pounds - half the price of the other cars then on the market. His design, the original Beetle, was given the go-ahead by Adolf Hitler in 1936. But before production could start, the Second World War broke out and VW's factory in Wolfsburg switched to making military vehicles. After the war, the ruined factory was rebuilt under the guidance of British Army officers led by Major Ivan Hirst and 10,000 Beetles were produced in 1946. The Beetle, also nicknamed the Bug, went on to become an icon of the Swinging Sixties, and in 1972, it became the world's best-selling car, overtaking the Model T Ford. Production switched to Mexico in 1978 and there the last original Beetle - number 21,529,464 - came off the line in 2003. source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/2355402.cms
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 13:19	#2
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Will there be any takers in India because it's shape ?
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 13:38	#3
windsurfer BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dundee, UK Posts: 513 Thanked: 25 Times	I think there are lot of people out there who could buy this. Remember Swift was also radically very different and lot of people have liked it.
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 13:56	#5
speedy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Meri Jaan Posts: 6,197 Thanked: 1,023 Times View My Garage	the beetle would definately have takers in india. the shape is a big hit with the women and looks very cute. the original beetle was also a radical design for its time and had fast acceptance and became one of the most popular cars with the people. if VW manages to pull the same thing with the new beetle then i dont see anything stopping it, maybe the price would in india.
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 15:00	#7
vikrantw1 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 109 Thanked: 10 Times	I think we underestimate the maturity of the Indian consumer - we have been pretty open to accepting cars with odd shapes - if you think of it - the Ambassador and the Fiat Padmini - were cars with shapes that were quite unique - and that tradition continued with the Badal and the swift and nhc today
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 15:09	#8
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	If Volkswagen ever releases a beetle in India, I will stand in line for a week to buy it at 4000 quid.
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 16:31	#11
junky BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 115 Thanked: 31 Times	check the site normal New Beetle Home convertible New Beetle Convertible Home
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 16:56	#12
sushrutha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chikmagalur/Ban Posts: 1,703 Thanked: 333 Times View My Garage	Ohh is it just 4000 Pounds ?... That's around 3,20,000 INR ... I'm gonna buy one sometime
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 17:13	#13
vabs78 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pune, India Posts: 552 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Are they really talking about the New Beetle? Or is it an entirely new car? I think this might be it: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...car-india.html
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 17:27	#14
Maverick1977 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 997 Thanked: 906 Times View My Garage	Beetle Woes 4000 pounds in India should have cost roughly 3.28 Lacs. However considering the consideration that the India Government considers the Car to be a Luxury, & that any Luxury item in India has to be necessarily taxed beyond a common man's reach the same thing will be priced at nothing less than 5 Lacs... Given that the car will be a 2 cylinder engine the probability of ppl buying it in lots is doubtful... Also with the Tata's & Nissan's thinking about bringing in the 1L car, the beetle might at the end of it all have a short lived life here...
	() Thanks

12th September 2007, 17:41	#15
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	Are they going to launch the current new beetle @ 4 grand?? I think not! coz the current one is 16grand abroad!! I think i'l be an all new car. Maybe based on the lupo.
	() Thanks