2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T Coupe Hatchback FWD Puebla, Mexico Optional 17-inch alloy wheels can be ordered on GLS 1.8T and GLX models. Exterior mirrors are larger, high intensity discharge headlights and a Monsoon sound system are available, and all New Beetles benefit from redesigned cupholders and a trunk entrapment release button. Rain-sensing wipers and a self-dimming rearview mirror now come on GLX models. Cute yet classic styling, excellent crash-test scores, affordably priced, turbo model is fun to drive. Compromised rear seat/cargo capacity compared to Golf, could use a stiffer suspension. The New Beetle is a bundle of contradictions. It's a blast from the past and a gateway to the 21st century. It's small but it's safe. It's pretty but it can also be pretty powerful. Volkswagen's New Beetle debuted at the 1998 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to classic '60s tunes and daisies dotting the dashboards. As a Volkswagen executive said, "It's the birth of a legend, a love affair continued, a dream come true." The trademark Beetle body shape is immediately recognizable, though it shares no parts with the old Beetle. It's both larger, with 96.3 cubic feet inside, and more powerful than its predecessor and the motor is no longer in the back. Three engines are available: a turbocharged 150-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-banger, or a high-tech Turbo Direct Injection diesel engine that gets 48 mpg on the highway and has a driving range of 700 miles. Performance is surprisingly good on all New Beetles, but the 1.8T really shines when pushed to the limit. With 156 foot-pounds of torque available between 2,200 and 4,200 rpm, the New Beetle 1.8T never feels underpowered or overworked. Fun comes both from watching people stare and wave at you and from blasting down the highways or up a canyon road. Steering is responsive and the little car takes corners without too much fuss, making it easy to rack up speeding tickets if you're not careful. Like most VWs, the New Beetle is fun-to-drive, but we'd love to see the company add a stiffer suspension option to go along with the peppy 1.8T engine. The safety system features energy-absorbing crush zones, pre-tensioning safety belts, daytime running lights, dual airbags, optional side airbags for front-seat passengers and excellent bumper crash-test scores. Other standard features include four beverage holders, a remote locking system, anti-theft alarm, a passenger-assist handle above the glove compartment, driver and passenger height adjusters, mesh pockets on the doors, and a bud vase on the dash. Nice touch. For 2001, the New Beetle gets redesigned cupholders, larger exterior mirrors and a trunk release entrapment button. GLX models now come standard with a Monsoon sound system, rain-sensing wipers and a self-dimming rearview mirror. Optional high-intensity discharge headlights are available on GLS and GLX trimmed New Beetles, as are new 17-inch alloy wheels. The New Beetle offers a unique combination of safety, fun, practicality and value. There's no denying it: It's Beetle-mania all over again. Honda Civic Mercury Cougar Saturn S-Series Subaru Impreza 224,000 10100,000 2Unlimited 12Unlimited NA NA NA 4 1.8 liters Inline 150 hp @ 5700 rpm 155 ft-lbs. @ 1750 rpm 161.1 in. 67.9 in. 59.5 in. 2921 lbs. 98.9 in. 41.3 in. 36.7 in. 52.8 in. 49.3 in. NA NA 39.4 in. 33.5 in. 12 cu.ft. Standard Standard Not Available Standard Not Available Standard Not Available Rating = Good Rating = Good Very Good Average Not Tested Not Tested 14.5 gal. 25 mpg / 31 mpg 23 mpg / 29 mpg 363 mi. / 450 mi. 334 mi. / 421 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $17,691 $19,000 7.35% $550 N/A 2% of the Base MSRP GL (5M): 2.0L I4 SOHC SMPI 8-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; engine oil cooler; 90 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.24 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear semi-independent torsion suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 14.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; projector beam halogen enclosed headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 6.5" steel wheels, P205/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, in-dash CD player pre-wiring, 6 speakers,theft deterrent, and integrated roof antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote hatch, and fuel door releases; 3 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, clock (inside overhead console), exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, trunk ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags and seat-mounted side airbags; security system features ignition disable and panic alarm; tinted windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 4, front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 6-way adjustment and easy entry; full-folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; premium cloth seats, vinyl door triminsert, full cloth headliner, front carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console with storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo light; black side window moldings and body-colored door handles. GLS (5M) (in addition to or instead of GL (5M) equipment): Additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; cruise control; driver's and passenger's window features 1-touch down function; center armrest with storage. GLS TDI (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS (5M) equipment): 1.9L I4 SOHC 8-valve direct-diesel-injection intercooled turbo engine, (requires diesel fuel); 3.39 axle ratio. GLS 1.8T (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS TDI (5M) equipment): 1.8L I4 DOHC SMPI 20-valve intercooled turbo engine, (requires premium unleaded fuel); traction control, 3.94 axle ratio; power retractable rear spoiler. GLX (5M) (in addition to or instead of GLS 1.8T (5M) equipment): Front power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; alloy wheels; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated fluid jets, heated-cushion front bucket seats; leather seats, leather-wrapped gearshift knob and leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment. -- Leatherette Seat Trim $0 $0 -- Transmission: Adaptive 4-Speed Automatic $864 $875 PCA Cold Weather Package $133 $150 PDA Luxury Package $1,082 $1,225 PLA Leather Package $796 $900 PLS Lifestyle Package (Limited Edition) $1,878 $2,125 PMC California and Northeast Emissions $99 $100 PZA Sport Luxury Package $1,435 $1,625 RSM Monsoon Sound System Package $287 $325