The 2008 version of VW's iconic small car remains based on the same two-door, Golf Mark IV hatchback platform as the 1998 retro remake styled by famed car designer J Mays.

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In its most recent incarnation, the New Beetle coupe is based on just one engine: a 2.5-liter, 150 horsepower five-cylinder unit that generates its maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 170 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm, creating a relatively narrow optimum power band.

The front-wheel drive vehicle is available either with a standard five-speed manual transmission or else a six-speed automatic based on Porsche's Tiptronic technology with a manual override mode.

Few changes for 2008

Changes for the 2008 New Beetle coupe largely revolve around a few minor upgrades as well as a renaming of the two trim levels from 2007.

Instead of the base and 2.5L models, the newer edition comes in standard S and deluxe SE editions; the SE chiefly adds a premium sound system with Sirius satellite radio, leather-wrapped surfaces for the handbrake, shift knob, and steering wheel, as well as the six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The automatic is also an option for the S.

Versus the 2007 model, a tire pressure monitoring system is now standard to meet safety laws; new alloy wheels are also standard on each car level, with the 16-inch "Mali" design fitted to the S and the 17-inch "Versus" design stock with the SE. A cold weather package is available for the S which adds heating to the seats and windshield washer nozzles.