You guys crack me up! Seriously though, the Vibe with an SRT-4 type option would of been a sackful of confidence, or at least a hand full of fun! As it stands, the Vibe is really more about functionality and aesthetic than performance, which is not a bad thing. I dig those rims on Star Deceiver's Vibe, and the lines are quite attractive. A platform for real performance and excitement it is not. But that is not why any of us buys a car like the Vibe. It is all about fuel efficiency and haul ratio, with a bit of reliability thrown in for good measure for the right price. Functional, efficient, reliable, affordable, and a little fun to boot. I am not sure how the new Beetle falls into that matrix....sorry set of parameters. With a Diesel, it should be somewhat efficient. With a turbo it could be fun. Digging into the numbers might not bare that out. A little expensive and not quite fuel efficient enough. In fact somewhat of a let down. The only way to justify it is if it is a pocket rocket. Might be sprightly, as Consumer Reports might say, but even the Turbo version will probably not knock your socks off.
http://content.usatoday.com/co...er-/1..."The engine lineup: * Base: 2.5-liter, five-cylinder gasoline vs. 1.8-liter four in last model. The engine is rated 170 hp, 177 lbs.-ft of torque. Expected mpg ratings: 22 city, 31 highway (manual transmission) 22/29 (automatic). * Optional: 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rated 200 hp, 207 lbs.-ft. Expected mpg ratings: 30 highway, others to be announced. * Coming later as option: 2-liter turbo-diesel, 140 hp, 236 lbs.-ft. Mpg: 29/40/33."...
http://autocarsprices.com/2011...tures/ ..."2012 Volkswagen New Beetle starting price MSRP is $19,440 – $28,140."...
http://www.caranddriver.com/ne...showsThey are cheapening out some of the components, like in the new Jetta. Only the 2.0TSI will have a multi-link rear suspension. Base engine is the iron block 2.5 five cylinder gas guzzler with a torsion beam rear suspension.
2010 Vibe 1.8 auto, fwd, base, air, preferred package, cargo mgt, cargo cover, ultra white.