Farewell to the Bug? What Students in Auto Mechanic Colleges Should Know About the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle has long been recognized as one of the most iconic designs in automobile history, but this year, Volkswagen has announced that it’s finally time to pull the plug on the beloved Bug.
After three generations and well over 21 million units sold, Volkswagen will be sending off the Beetle with a 2019 Final Edition model. Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen, has stated that the discontinuation of the car comes as customers have begun moving away from smaller cars and coupes, and towards electric vehicles and SUVs.
Students in auto mechanic colleges might be interested to learn more about the end of this classic car and the Final Edition rounding out its run.
This Isn’t the First Time Volkswagen Has Said Goodbye to the Beetle
The original Beetle, officially known as the Volkswagen Type 1, was first discontinued in the United States in 1979. Volkswagen marked the end of its run with triple-white convertibles, before rebooting the car in 1998 with the release of the New Beetle, which moved the engine, now water-cooled rather than air-cooled, from the back to the front.
Throughout that time, however, production and sales of the first-generation model continued in Mexico, where the Beetle had been manufactured since 1965. This first-generation run only ended in 2003, with the release of the Última Edición, only 3,000 of which were produced.
Back in the United States, the New Beetle was revamped in 2012 with a flatter roof, a sleeker shape, and more trunk space. After strong initial sales, though, it declined in popularity, leading to the Beetle once again being axed. Looking at the history, however, students in mechanic colleges might be forgiven for thinking this may not actually be the last we see of the iconic Bug.
What Students in Mechanic Courses Should Know About the Final Edition
The Final Edition Beetle will be available as both a coupe and a convertible, and while it will be set apart with special trim, equipment, and colours, students in auto technician courses should know that the car will remain largely unchanged mechanically.
This means that, like all Beetles, it will run on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, with 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive running through a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Final Edition will be available in black, white, and gray, as well as two colours exclusive to the model: Aquarius Blue and Safari Uni. The SE Final Edition features 17-inch wheels, while the SEL has 18-inch white-painted wheels with chrome center discs.
Get a closer look at the Final Edition Beetle in this short clip:
The Interior Will Set the Final Edition Apart from Other Beetle Models
One of the main differences setting the Final Edition apart from other Beetles, though, is the interior finish. The SE trim features black and tan cloth seats with rhombus-patterned contrast stitching, while the SEL has all leather seats, available in either black and tan or all black. Other details like the tan-coloured dash insert, stainless steel trim on the pedals, and gloss-black finished upper door panels and console combine for a stylish and comfortable interior. The touchscreen monitor is on the small side, however, at 16 centimetres.
For those who enjoyed the classic Beetle’s look and feel, then, the 2019 Final Edition will be a welcome addition to the lineup, even if it brings few dramatic additions or changes.
Are you interested in training to become an auto mechanic?
Contact Automotive Training Centres for more information on how to get your auto career started.
