Volkswagen Beetle Won’t Live Past Its Current Generation

One of the most famous Volkswagens ever, the Beetle, will be discontinued, as the company hasn’t a direct replacement in the pipeline.

The company’s Research and Development chief Frank Welsch confirmed this at the Geneva Motor Show, according to Autocar: “Two or three generations is enough now. You can’t do it five times and have a new new new Beetle.”

Before taking the decision to axe the Beetle, the vehicle was rumored to live past its current generation with the new car being built on the MEB platform and featuring an electric powertrain.

Volkswagen won’t be left without a ‘heritage’ model in its lineup, as the production version of the ID Buzz concept will take its place. This will become the new retro-inspired car, as a spiritual successor to the original Microbus.

“People asked when production starts on the car, so we decided to go that way. Better that than having five generations of a new Beetle“, added Welsch.

The Beetle can be currently had in two body styles, coupe and convertible, and the latter will be replaced by the T-Roc Cabriolet. Moreover, the open-top crossover will also serve as a replacement for the Golf and Eos convertibles.

Introduced in 1997 as a throwback to the original model, the New Beetle remained in production until 2011, when the it was replaced by the A5 generation. The latest Beetle uses the same underpinnings as the Golf Mk6 and is offered with both petrol and diesel engines.

Pricing in the USA starts at $20,220, or about $600 less than the entry-level Golf.