In pictures: 2015 Volkswagen Beetle

By the time the last example of the original-shape Beetle was built on July 30, 2003, a staggering 21,529,464 had been produced over a 65-year lifespan.

The second (“new”) generation Beetle was never going to emulate the original’s success, but Volkswagen still managed to shift more than a million of them over 12 years, with production ceasing in 2010.

The exterior looks play a part in that, with it being far better ­resolved – wider, squatter, less bulbous.

But the interior design is where you really get a sense of classic Beetle life especially with the hinged glovebox cover.

It’s far more interesting inside than any other VW on sale today, with the possible exception of the XL1, and only the trio of gauges that sit atop the dashboard centre irk as being unnecessary (the turbo-boost gauge, for ­instance, is utterly pointless).

Our market only gets the turbocharged 2.0L engine from the Golf GTI and the Beetle is available in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL, starting at Dh99,900 and running all the way up to Dh127,699.

But while the engine is essentially the same as the GTI’s, it’s in a different state of tune, and the car weighs another 44 kilograms over the hot Golf.

Quite apart from the uniqueness of its exhaust note, it has heavier-than-normal steering and exhibits handling prowess that its forebear could only dream of, no doubt thanks to its wider track.

Take a closer look at the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. All photos courtesy of Volkswagen ME.