2017 Volkswagen Beetle Detailed in New Photos and Videos

The Beetle has been a guilty pleasure of mine ever since I tested it about 4 years ago. If I didn't need space, I'd definitely consider one versus the MINI hardtop. They haven't blown the competition away with this 2017 update, but it's not bad either. The sad news is that we're looking at the last update before it's discontinued, or so the rumors say.

Back in 2012, the top model had a 200 PS 2-liter turbo shared with the Mk5 GTI. This 2017 model has a new 2.0 TSI turbo producing 220 PS. Not impressed? Then consider the torque increase from 280 to 350 Nm. It only weighs about 50 kilos more than the Golf GTI and will hit 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

You can have that engine on the Beetle R-Line, which replaces the old Beetle Sport in Europe. It features flared arches that are painted black and shared with the Dune and Denim 2.0 TSI.

I wouldn't buy the Denim edition because it's too much of a gimmick. But as a convertible, it features a denim-covered roof and seats, which I think look sweet.

The 2016 Beetle still looks like a coupe should, rounded at the bottom and with really full fenders. They've made a few changes to the body kit, but not that many. New colors include White Silver Metallic and Bottle Green Metallic, both of which can be seen in the photo gallery below.

There are other engines to choose from, namely the 1.2 TSI with 105 PS, the 1.4 TSI with 150 PS and two versions of the 2.0 TDI with up to 150 PS. They sound fine, but are probably never going to feel as gutsy as on the Golf for which they were designed.