The VW Beetle was discontinued in 2019 and will remain dead for the foreseeable future, but fans of the model can still find plenty of examples in the used car market – either stock or modified. If you prefer tuned cars with a special twist, then this New Beetle might be for you as the custom futuristic bodykit makes it look like no ordinary bug.
The project car is based on a 2000 VW New Beetle but if it wasn’t for the signature greenhouse, it would look pretty much unrecognizable due to the extensive visual modifications. The soft curves of the original bodywork have been replaced by sharper and wider fenders. Those integrate new vertically-stacked headlights and L-shaped taillights, merging with the restyled front and rear bumpers.
More: The First VW Beetle GT Conversion Is Complete And It Looks Ready For The Track
The LEDs make the New Beetle look like a movie car, a feeling that is accentuated by the mouth-like lower bumper intake at the front. The profile sports slimmer mirrors which would be better off swapped with cameras, while the front VW emblem has given way to the Transformers logo for whatever reason. The tail has a generously-sized opening resembling a diffuser, which is housing a single tailpipe for the Akrapovic exhaust.
The bonnet, roof, doors, pillars, and trunk are carried over from the donor vehicle, as with the yellow exterior shade. According to the current owner, the custom bodykit is bolted on, making it fully removable if necessary. However, chances are that any prospective buyers won’t be interested in stripping it off. The special Beetle rides on a new set of black-painted 18-inch Ambit alloy wheels shod in 275/35R18 tires.
Inside, the dashboard and door cards have been stripped off giving it a post-apocalyptic look, although the vehicle is still a work in progress. The owner opted for an air conditioning, airbag, sound system, and power steering delete, while retaining the chunky instrument cluster and the original front seats which could use fresh upholstery/covers.
The vehicle has travelled 130,000 miles (209,000 km) since new, so it is not in the best possible condition. Under the bonnet lies a 1.8-liter engine with an unknown number of mods which is mated to an automatic gearbox. As a refresher, the most powerful version of the turbocharged 1.8-liter motor in the stock New Beetle produced 178 hp (132 kW / 180 PS) and 235 Nm (173 lb-ft) of torque.
According to the listing on Facebook Marketplace, the heavily modified vehicle is priced at $4,500, which makes it more expensive than your typical New Beetle from the early ’00s. For anyone interested, the unique-looking bug is located in Cheshire, Connecticut.
