SPOTTED: New Beetle 1.4 TSi

Here it is, folks, the  first time you see the 1.4litre Beetle which is yet to make its appearance in the local Malaysian scene. The 3rd Generation Bug, launched back in September 2012 came in the form of a 1.2litre engine with rumors of 2 more variants coming soon. It wasn’t until November 2012 did we see the Beetle-on-steroids, the 2.0litre TSi materializing but the hatching of the 1.4TSi is yet to be seen. Instead, with little news talking about it, there are strong rumors that the 1.4TSi’s launch was to be aborted, feeling that the ‘relatively’ affordable (I use ‘relatively’ very loosely here since VWs are never cheap in Malaysia) 1.2litre should cater to those who ‘must’ have a Beetle whereas the top-of-the-line 2.0 TSi is for hardcore (and rich) Beetle fans.

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Is there really no business case for the 1.4litre?

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I was recently given the opportunity to take the 1.2litre for a spin over the weekend and I took the car up Genting Highlands to see if it had sufficient power to lug 3 adults up while at the same time sampling its cornering abilities (article coming soon). While the 1.2 mil proved to be sufficient in doing its job, I can’t help but feel a little bit more power would be perfect. Hence, in my opinion (though I have yet to test the car), the 1.4litre (presumably with 158 – 160 PS power and 240Nm of torque) should make driving a lot more enjoyable than the 1.2litre’s 105PS/175Nm output. Though it’s just 0.2litres more, the power output is up by more than 50% and torque increase beyond 37% … I caught myself smiling every once in a while driving the 1.2litre …. taking a 1.4 with such an increase would probably permanently glue a Joker’s grin on my face.

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The introduction of the 1.4TSi would probably make those who buy the 1.2litre look like aunties/uncles who don’t need the extra power or people who could not afford a more decent Beetle while the difference in performance and spec compared to the 2.0 TSi is still far enough that the exclusivity of the Big Bug is retained without cannibalizing sales across variants.

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And, judging from the exterior which looked like a cross between the 1.2litre and 2.0litre, the 1.4 does not shout to say hey, I’m the more expensive Bug and instead gives you that wink that seemingly says hop in and let’s go have some fun together.

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At first glance, it looks just like a 1.2litre. No fancy LED DRLs as seen in the 2.0’s headlamps, instead you have the regular yellow halogen DRLs as in the 1.2.

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The sides is where the difference between the 1.4 and the 1.2 can be clearly seen. As a matter of fact, if not for the rims, it looks like a 2.0 with black lower sills (as opposed to body color), black side mirror housings and 17″ alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 rubber (which is smack in the middle of the 1.2’s 215/60 R16 and the 2.0’s 235/45 R18)

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Not forgetting that super-sized rear spoiler as found in the 2.0TSi.

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And unlike the 1.2 which has one exhaust pipe on the left and the 2.0 which has a split pipe left and right, the 1.4 has the same design as the Golf 1.4TSi’s twin, left side exhaust.

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Inside, it’s the same piano black insert panels as found in the 2.0 TSi, twin glove compartments and it looks as though the headunit is the same RNS unit found in the 1.2.

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While it can be argued that most of these things could be retrofitted to a 1.2 to make it look like a 1.4, the one thing which is difficult to replicate is the function of a rear fog light which is absent in the 1.2. It was raining and there was heavy fog in Genting when I went up with the 1.2 on Saturday and the rear fog light was sorely missed.

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Omission from the 2.0

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Since the 1.4 TSi is not launched and no one knows exactly when (if ever) VGM gets around launching it, what specifications it comes with is anyone’s guess but if I were to guess, it would be the following items that’s taken off from the 2.0 TSi:-

• No Electronic Differential Lock (XDS)
• No LED DRLs
• No twin chromed exhaust pipes
• No red brake calipers
• No Twister 18′ rims
• No bi-xenon headlamps
• No sunroof

 

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Gains from the 1.2

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Again, this is just a guess (a very wild guess at that), the 1.4TSi has the following additions:-

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• A more powerful engine, of course
• 2 side airbags (bringing it to 4 in total)
• Piano black panel inserts
• Black side sills
• Rear spoiler
• 17″ rims
• Rear fog lamps
• Twin exhaust pipes

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All that remains is what’s that sweet price number. With the 1.2 retailing at RM139,888 and the 2.0 for RM219,888 (both excluding road tax, insurance and other fees), the 1.4TSi theoratically should fall in the middle which is the Scirocco 1.4TSi’s range. Since it’s rare for any manufacturer to price 2 car models (even if they’re completely different breed) at the same price, my guess is VGM might price it between RM175k – 179,888 barring any influence from MITI, MOF and whatever powers-that-be-in-Malaysia. It ain’t going to be cheaper than the Golf, that`s for sure and since the 7th Generation Golf is expected to hit our shores soon and that might signal a price increase with the new technologies (never mind the fact that it’s cheaper to produce now since the Mk VII utilizes the single, turbocharged-only engine), the RM17xk slot is currently empty in VGM’s portfolio. Considering it’s also a middle point between the cost of the 1.2 and the 2.0, this seems highly plausible.

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Question is, would you still buy one?

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