Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp. (AAHC), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. (ACEI), confirms that the third generation of the Volkswagen icon is officially back: The one and only Beetle. Led by Fernando Zobel de Ayala (President and COO of Ayala Corporation), his brother, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (CEO of Ayala Corporation), and JP Orbeta (President of AAHC), the return of the Beetle was launched last April 2, 2014 in Manila.
“No other car evokes as much nostalgia, tradition, and heritage as the Beetle. As such, I am especially pleased and excited to launch a car as iconic and celebrated as the one we have launched tonight”, said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
Volkswagen vehicles roamed Manila streets in the 1960s and 70s when the Beetle and the Kombi were first introduced to Filipino car enthusiasts. Other models followed but it was the Beetle that enjoyed huge success, becoming an icon of that generation.
People find Volkswagens very trustworthy companions on the road, so it didn’t really matter what name each car was given. “Volkswagen” alone was (and is) more than enough to clear all of the doubts and uncertainties. That’s how powerful Volkswagen was back then, and even until now. But since people find it more appropriate to anoint every car with their respective names, they just decided to name this particular Volkswagen based its appearance and the creature it resembles. Thus, the birth of a small car named “Beetle” was written on the history books.
The Beetle has been a household name for many decades already. The Beetle served as an inspiration for its users and the resilience of this car enabled the love for it to be passed on from one generation to another – the nostalgic and heartwarming feeling that the Beetle gives us is truly one of a kind. Having it available in the Philippine automotive market once again is surely a delight for enthusiasts and will give its contemporary rivals a run for their money.
To give you clearer details, the specifications are provided below.
Specifications:
Beetle 1.4 TSI Design DSG
- Beetle 1.4 TSI with 240 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm
- Power: 160 Ps at 5800 rpm
- New Direct Injected Gasoline Engine with Twincharger
- 7-speed DSG transmission
- Electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering
- Bi-xenon head lights with automatic headlight activation and LED daytime running lights
Beetle 1.2 TSI Design MT
- Beetle 1.2 TSI with 175 Nm at 1400 rpm
- Power: 105 Ps at 4500 rpm
- New Direct Injected Gasoline Engine with Turbocharger
- 6-speed Manual transmission
- Electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering
- Halogen head lights with automatic headlight activation and separate daytime running lights
Dimensions
- Length: 4,278 mm
- Width: 1,808 mm
- Height: 1,486 mm
- Wheel base: 2,537 mm
With the arrival of the third generation Beetle, many improvements and innovations are to be expected to come along with it and Volkswagen didn’t disappoint its followers. The new Beetle seemed to shy away from its conventional symmetrical model and now boasted a striking sports car–like approach, primarily in its extended bonnet, sharply swept-back windscreen and a longer wheelbase. Modified interior ergonomics have produced an agile, driver-oriented coupé experience in the new Beetle. In addition, it offers a distinctly improved feeling of space with its longer roof section.
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Model
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Torque
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Power
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Transmission
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Price
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Beetle 1.2 TSI
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175 Nm at 1400 rpm
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105 Ps at 4500 rpm
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6-speed M/T
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P1,590,000
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Beetle 1.4 TSI
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240 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm
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160 Ps at 4500 rpm
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7-speed DSG
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P1,790,000P1,840,000* *(Oryx White)
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“The Beetle has always been special to me. I first learned how to drive with a Beetle and will always have fond memories, as I’m sure many Filipinos do. And now, I am extremely proud to be heralding the return of the world’s most iconic car back to Philippine shores”, Mr. JP Orbeta, president of Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI) added. ACEI is the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen cars in the country.
If you are eager to check this one out, you can visit the Volkswagen BGC Showroom located at 28th Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City from Monday to Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to 7pm, and Sunday 9am to 6pm. For more information on Volkswagen or to request for a test drive, visit www.volkswagen.com.ph or email customercare@volkswagen.com.ph
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