All New Beetles have a surprisingly lengthy standard equipment list; there's not really much of a need to take a trip down the options list. In terms of safety equipment, the Beetle has front and side airbags standard, as well as four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist. New for 2006, the ESP stability control program with differential lock is added. Auto up and down power windows, power heated mirrors, heated seats, keyless entry and air conditioning is all included in the base price of just $24,490 for a bone-stock New Beetle 2.5.

As with the past, the New Beetle occupies its own little corner of the

As-tested price of $30,440 is expensive, but the Beetle TDI is a one of a kind vehicle that has few rivals. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

compact car market segment. It fits somewhere between everyday economy cars, yet is a rung lower than the Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz B-Class, not to mention it's styling is purely retro. Pricing depends on equipment levels, and can vary from reasonable to sticker-shock inducing: the 2.5 manual model was a representation of the base trim line and therefore indicates the former. Equipped with the luxury package, which includes a sunroof and alloy wheels, it rang in at $26,140. However, the TDI that featured the optional DSG gearbox as well as the leather luxury package was $30,440 - the latter. That's pretty high end pricing for a compact hatchback, regardless of what amount of technology or features are packed in.  Of course, the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz B-Class hatchback costs more than the top-line Beetle in base trim with less equipment than an entry-level version of the stylish VW. Go figure?

Without any planned conversion to the 'A5' Volkswagen platform, it appears as if the New Beetle will eventually be the sole remaining vehicle to use the older 'A4' chassis. This final update, it seems, will be the one to keep the legendary name and spirit of the beetle alive. However, with a duet of torquey engines, and the clever DSG gearbox, these revisions should be enough to happily carry the Beetle past the one-million mark. And even if that is just 1/21st of the original Beetle's numbers, it's more than impressive for a retro-inspired niche car. Happy 50th birthday, Beetle, and let's hope for another fifty.

Specifications:

• Base Price (New Beetle 2.5 & TDI MSRP): $24,490 - $30,440
• Price as Tested 2.5 (MSRP): $26,140
• Price as Tested TDI DSG (MSRP): $30,440   
• Body Type: 3-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine 2.5: 150 hp, 170 lb-ft of torque, 2.5L, 20-valve DOHC I-5
• Transmission 2.5: 5-spd manual (opt. 6-spd automatic w/Tiptronic)
• Engine TDI: 100 hp, 177 lb-ft of torque, 1.9L, 8-valve SOHC I-4 turbodiesel
• Transmission TDI: 6-spd DSG twin-clutch (std: 5-spd manual)   
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, BA, EBD
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,091 / 1,724 / 1,498 / 2,508 mm (161.1 / 67.9 / 59.0 / 98.7 in)
• Curb Weight 2.5: 1436 kg (3,166 lbs)
• Curb Weight TDI: 1356 kg (2,989 lbs)
• Tires: 205/60R16
• Trunk: 300 L (10.6 cu ft)
• Fuel Economy 2.5 (city/hwy): 10.8 / 7.2 L/100 km (22 / 33 mpg)
• Observed Fuel Economy 2.5: 8.9 L/100 km (26 mpg)
• Fuel Economy TDI (city/hwy): 6.5 / 5.2 L/100 km (35 / 45 mpg)       
• Observed Fuel Economy TDI: 5.7 L/100 km (41 mpg)
• Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 km comprehensive; 60/100,000 km powertrain
• Competitors: Acura CSX/RSX, Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Tiburon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, MINI Cooper, Pontiac Pursuit, Saturn ION Quad Coupe, VW Golf/GTI
• Website: www.vw.ca