The Volkswagen Beetle needed a thorough overhaul to compete with the latest urban runabouts, and the newest version is a vast improvement on its predecessor.
Launched last week in New York, Berlin and Shanghai Auto, which closed yesterday, the latest Beetle looks bolder than the New Beetle of 1998, and could have the stylish BMW Mini and Audi A1 in its sights.
Due to be launched in Asia in February next year, the new car is 152mm longer (at 4.278m), 84mm wider (at 1.808 metres) and 12mm taller (at 1.486m) than the New Beetle.
A longer roof section gives the model a more spacious cabin and its lower profile can be considered a continuation of the Ragster hot-rod concept shown in Detroit in 2005, Volkswagen says.
The marque has given the car a rear spoiler with a black top, installed optional bi-xenon headlights with 15 LED daytime running lights and will offer a range of 12 colours.
The interior has been redesigned with a roof 38mm lower, but with a longer wheelbase which allows more stretch in the back and 310 litres of boot space compared with its predecessor's 209 litres. The transparent panoramic roof can be tilted or opened, 'blocks 99 per cent of ultraviolet radiation and 92 per cent of heat energy', and has an 80 per cent larger glass surface area than on the New Beetle, the marque says.