Ummm...You do know the Smart ForTwo is ass-motored, right?

yes, and the smallest new VeeDub is set to compete with it.

No power steering on the good side of the tracks too?

Next ad slogan: 3 VW's for under $10,000 - wahoo!

Hippies everywhere are spinning hard right now.

If only yhey would make a new microbus...

Sounds good to me so far. A beetle reincarnation, and a "no-frills, four-door notchback." Will they go retro? Will they do it right? Should I fire up the

Wow, you'd think they could offer a four cyinder, at least on the "top of the line" model. I know the three cylinder will make more power than the old flat four in the original Beetle, but how is this advancing the brand?

damn HTML.

Should I fire up the Type 3 Selecta?
http://beta.truegarage.com/t3d/selecta.asp

@Greg A.: Don't forget the Bug Selecta.

http://www.volkswarenhaus.de/bugselecta.htm

It just better be LIGHT. Vdub hasn't been very good about keeping the weight down recently.

so it'll be small, possibly light, and REAR wheel drive??!!

if this DSI turbo'd engine is anything like the 2.0T...sell me one today, and i'll chip it tomorrow

@zoomzit:
No shit - our New Beetle weighs over 3000 lbs.

I think they could've made the New Beetle in a rear engine variant, if the engine was compact enough. I've only pondered this because every other old Bug owner has been confused over the whole "motor in the front" thing.

If they are going rear and looking to mock a vintage form factor, I'd like to see a fastback/Dasher.

If all this is true then what will happen to the current Beetle? I wish they would fix the feminine look of the current Beetle. The original was cool no matter who was behind the wheel.

I always found it funny that the engineers at V-Dub haven't figured out how to separate the power from the two wheels beneath it. It's as if, when they decided to do front-drivers, they just shifted the engine and transaxle from the back to the front. "Instant Front Veel Drive, ja!"

That said, it's about damn time an inexpensive rear-driver from V-Dub turn up again, and I can't wait to see the results.

This car will be intended primarily for the new growth markets of China, India and Russia/eastern Europe.

Western Europe will get some too, partly because there are low earners there as well and partly to help satisfy the (130-10)gCO2/km fleet average requirement the EU is likely to insist on for MY2012. Besides, as a second car for commuting in suburbia/tooling around towns with very limited parking, you don't want a battleship.

Three-cylinder engines are not uncommon in A-segment cars in Europe, especially for the diesel variants. Reducing the number of high-pressure fuel injectors by 25% makes a noticeable difference in manufacturing costs. GDI engines will likely head in the same direction at the bottom end of the market.

It's quite possible VW will eventually offer pocket rocket versions of their new RWD design, e.g. by adding a turbo or pressure wave supercharger option.

So, ABS is an option, but stability control is standard? That doesn't make any sense to me... Isn't that like saying run flat tires come standard, but the wheels are optional?

@art_vandelay: I know -- I don't know how you have stability control without ABS.... and I wrote the article!

Base the non-bug version off the 411 and while yer at it, how about a Karmann-Ghia version? I don't care if it has 3 cylinders and a squirrel, I'll be all over it like cops on a donut.

oh man, i can't wait! wonder if you'll be able to slap a 1.8t in there ;)

it's nice to see the folks at VW getting back to their roots. i just pray they somehow make it real quick so i can have it as an option in 09 when my jetta lease is up!

so long as the whole front opens up Isetta style, count me in!

@jonnylieberman:

Chuck Norris mustve made V-Dubzles sign a contract that using the term ABS remain only in his Total Gym promos for the indefinite future.

And by sign I mean one of the hairs on his fuzz muzzle threatened to crack open the VW reps jugular if the contract was left without a signature.

Damn you Norris!

Fuel efficient sub-compacts that are MID-ENGINED make the future look less dark.