It was more then a twenty year wait for beetle enthusiasts to get a chance to drive a new beetle, but it was worth the wait.This car had many prototypes created the 1990's but it wasn't until the spring of 1998 when the first new beetle was sold to consumers. It was an even longer wait for Germans because the car was released in Europe in late 1998/ early 1999. This car is very different from the original beetle because it has it's engine in the front instead of the back and it is also front driven.

The standard equipment includes dual air bags, ABS, power steering, electric windows, central locking and tinted glass. The new Beetle is manufactured in various plants throughout Mexico. The TDI-version accelerates from 0-60 mph in 12.5 seconds, top 110 mph, and average 46 mpg Two engine options are offered, a 2.0-liter, 115HP gasoline unit and a 1.9-liter, 90HP direct injection turbodiesel. Volkswagen may eventually offer a third engine in the 150HP range. Two transmissions will be offered, a 5-speed manual and a 4- or 5-speed automatic transmission.

The new Beetle is an extremely well-designed car. Perhaps the true beauty lying beneath the cute exterior is revealed in the brilliant engineering details everywhere you turn. Everything is where it should be. All controls, all instruments. All are lit at night. The steering wheel, shifter and parking brake lever have a roughened rubber surface that makes gripping them a sure, easy proposition with gloved or cold hands.

The most popular car in history lives again and in many different colors. The massive numbers of people who have previously owned, and loved, a Beetle constitute a group of potential buyers that any automaker should envy. Here in the United States, since its import introduction in 1949, there have been 4,998,350 VW Beetles sold. Worldwide, the figure is 21,342,955.