Ironically, the adjective "new" disappears from the name of this reengineered model on a new platform. Also gone is the cute. Longer, lower, longer, and wider than the New Beetle, this Beetle's low-rider gangsta profile is expected to help it draw more male buyers. The controls remain straightforward, and the emphasis is on functional design rather than affordable luxury. Old pre-euro bargain prices are only a memory. The base Beetle starts at $18,995; my 200-horsepower Turbo test car kicks off at $23,395. The 2012 Beetle retains one characteristic from the 1938 Type 1: Personality rather than performance is still its strong suit. As always, the Beetle remains the people's car.
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