The National takes a closer look at the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo R-Line. All photos courtesy of Volkswagen
Updated: May 15, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo R-Line
Effortless to control and smooth-going around the Cali coastal route’s renowned and ubiquitous turns, this new Bug proves to be – as was foretold before even entering the car – “quite zippy” and enjoys the fun ethos so inextricably tied to the model.
The interior of the 2014 Beetle is one that’s easy to settle into, especially within the Turbo version. Lined with subtle chrome trappings, the gunmetal-cool cockpit belies its still slightly cutesy exterior.
The sunroof and significant sound system are key, as are the leather-upholstered sport seats and navigation package, but so too is the function-festooned steering wheel, which provides even more optimum control of the interior environment without too much faffing about with the well-appointed dash.
the power is absolutely there in the Beetle and will rear its head when forced, but it does take a bit of effort. Once it gets going along one of our chosen road’s rarer straightaways, it could really move; it simply takes a hair or two longer than you might expect to get there, given its specs.
The 2014 Beetle is a much more powerful yet controlled beast than it used to be and it remains a fun, if not iconic, ride. However, when set beside the continuing story of California’s coast, let alone that of the Bug’s ancestors, its overall tale as something different, something special, may have inadvertently been squashed.