So is the Beetle worth all the hype and money? Yes and no. As far as the hype goes, the Beetle is worth every bit of it. It is an icon which Volkswagen was forced to bring from the dead due to its sheer popularity. In a country like India, a Beetle – no matter what the age or model – will turn more heads than Mustang or a Phantom can, thanks to its distinctive styling, flamboyant character and strength to withstand the test of time.
As far as the sticker price goes, Rs. 21-lakh sounds too far stretched for a car that runs a decade old engine and boasts of a features list that is shorter than the skirts of most girls who will perch themselves on the Beetle’s seat(s). But you can’t really blame Volkswagen for it. At the end of the day, all these carmakers have to succumb to the ridiculous import duties that our rounder-than-the-Beetle politicians like to levy on such beauties. Would I buy one of these then? If I had the money, yes, I would – for the Beetle symbolises the fact that ‘fat and round’ is still in demand!