2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S

I am a sucker for wit and charm. No wonder I’m falling all over myself for this brand new Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S. It’s one thing to be slick and beautiful, expensive, exclusive and fast. It’s another to be cute and fuzzy, inexpensive, accessible and fast. This new Beetle, which appeared in December, falls into the latter category. Like the new BMW Mini Cooper S, this Beetle’s styling flies in the face of what we consider sport sexy. But beneath that “aw shucks” exterior lurks a personality – and an engine – that will blow the doors off many a low-slung, high-spoilered, decal-laden wannabe. This Turbo S is the real deal, a wasp in beetle’s clothing.The Good News
The New Beetle’s aforementioned cute ’n’ cuddlyness, underlined by the standard bud vase on the dash, has made it something of a darling for women. A chic car, if you will. While there’s nothing wrong with that, VW would no doubt like to see its Beetle appeal transcend these boundaries more. I daresay 180 horses can do that.

This Turbo S employs a higher boost version of VW’s familiar 1.8T twin cam 20-valve 4-cylinder engine. At 180 bhp, it produces 30 more horses than the standard Beetle Turbo and the kind of acceleration that can get you arrested. But no tricky turbo lag here; the delivery is silky smooth to the front wheels.

The newfound herd of ponies hits the road via a six-speed manual transmission, Volkswagen’s first six-speed and a precise shifter. The combination promises a 7.4-second 0-60 and an electronically governed top speed of 130 miles per hour. This is one bug that won’t get run over.

Also standard on the Turbo S is a speed-activated rear spoiler and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). This program coordinates the engine, braking and transmission to help drivers stabilize the car “in very demanding driving situations such as emergency maneuvers to avoid oncoming objects or other cars in the road.”

(They make this sound so responsible and respectable. What they really should say is “It’s for the idiot who gets cocky in this funky little temptress and finds him/herself outside his/her driving league.”)

Of course, the Beetle’s typical Teutonic handling characteristics – direct, connected, sharp – suit its enhanced performance. It was always fun to whip around; now it’s a blast. With this much power, this Beetle Turbo S becomes an honest-to-goodness racer in most unlikely garb.

That’s not to say it’s invisible, though. The Turbo S distinguishes itself with new 17-inch alloy wheels, integrated fog lights and a front spoiler. Rearward, there are dual chrome exhausts, a new rear bumper and “Turbo S” badging. You know it’s something different.

Inside is cool, too. Sculpted leather sport buckets provide solid support for driver and front passenger (sumptuously heated, even), and alloy accents are brushed throughout the cabin, from the three-spoke sport steering wheel to the stainless steel pedals. Even the bud vase is rimmed with metal. I guess you’re supposed to put a black rose in it or something.

For those of you who may still confuse this New Beetle with the old Beetle, understand this one is front-wheel drive with a front-mounted liquid-cooled engine; has standard amenities like air conditioning, power windows and stunning sound system; and comes equipped with a load of safety equipment like side air bags and anti-lock brakes.

Aside from its spirit and evolved looks, the New Beetle is far removed from the original, which came equipped only with a lighter, provided you stuck a pack of matches on the dashboard.

The Bad News
There are complaints unique to the Turbo S and there are a few shared by all New Beetles, like the lack of headroom in the back seat.

As for the Turbo S, electronics shut you down when you approach rpm redline, often ruining the moment just when things were getting fun. And the speed-sensitive spoiler that presents itself at 45 mph retracts with such a wheez and a thump when you stop, at first I thought a limb had fallen on the car. Noisy little contraption.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 24 mpg city; 31 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $23,400;
Price as tested, $23,950

Is it worth it?
I adore this Turbo S model of the New Beetle. First of all, I love the simplicity of this car. With a considerable package of upgrades standard, it gives me precisely what I need and want and not a bunch of superfluous electronic gadgets. The seat adjusts just right manually, the wipers do a one-touch on/off for mist, the windows go up and down with one touch, the sound system with CD is terrific, I can read the clock. It’s thoroughly satisfying without being complicated.

What’s more, the Turbo S raises this beloved bug to a whole new level in performance. In doing so, it introduces another affordable sport option for those who relish driving, but don’t necessarily have Porsche pockets. It is the epitome of understatement, an unorthodox-looking package chock full of grins.

I like to think of this Turbo S as the not-so-good-looking guy with the tremendous sense of humor. He always gets the girl, but – more importantly here – the guys like him, too.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.