New VW Beetle starts at £16,490 21 | 10 | 2011

ORDER BOOKS ACROSS SCOTLAND for the all-new VW Beetle are open now, with prices starting at £16,490 for the entry-level 1.2-litre. It's worth noting that prices of the new car are up by around £3000, compared to the outgoing model.

The current 1.4-litre Luna model, for example, costs from £13,345, rising to £18,715 for the top-of-the-range turbocharged 1.8-litre version.

The new Beetle is available in three trim levels, Beetle, Design and Sport, are offered from launch. There are also two engines available immediately, the 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI and 1.4-litre TSI producing 158bhp. Two more engines will follow.

Air conditioning and DAB radio are standard across the range, and entry-level cars are available with a 1.2-litre unit and seven-speed DSG transmission only. The 1.2 will also deliver 48mpg and 137g/km CO2.

Step up to the Design spec and you get the addition of 17-inch alloys, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, front fog lights and a multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel. You also get the choice of DSG or a six-speed manual ‘box in the 1.2 and 1.4-litre.

Read our roadtest of the all-new VW Beetle in Berlin

If you fancy the range-topping Sport, you get the benefit of 18in alloys — though they look ace, they do hamper the ride, just a tad — tinted windows, cruise and climate control, sports seats, parking sensors and gloss black door mirror housings.

And the sport is only available with the manual six-speed gearbox.

The new Beetle range will extend further next year with the addition of two diesels and a performance 2.0-litre petrol.

In addition to the 2.0-litre TSI with 197bhp, there will be a 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology, plus 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI . The 1.2-litre will also get the option of a six-speed manual gearbox.

Watch our video of the all-new VW Beetle

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Jim McGill