Patrick Olsen of Cars.com has managed to get up close to the new Beetle as it was showcased at the New York Auto Show. About to enter its third generation the latest model has been beefed up from its predecessor, in an attempt to make it appeal to the more masculine amongst us.

This new design is wider than the old model with a longer front hood. The windshield is further back than before and also has a steeper incline, and the body is six inches longer. Inside there was a totally new feel in the driver’s seat, with a more focused feel to the driving position. The dashboard has been improved and could have come out of a sporty coupe.

The backseat is still mainly for children or adults you are not too fond of. VW brand design Chief Klaus Bischoff said “All of the customers who have seen it have reacted positively to the changes.”

You will find the backseat is still mainly for children or adults you are not too fond of. VW brand design Chief Klaus Bischoff said “All of the customers who have seen it have reacted positively to the changes.”

The latest Beetle is expected to hit the US either in September or October, and at the moment Volkswagen have not revealed their pricing plans. Hit the link above to see more images of the 2012 Beetle. Do you like the look of the next Beetle?

According to Starred Reviews, the new design will have a more muscular look, so could finally drop that girly image. Having studied those recent spy shots, it looks as though the new model will have a higher roofline and will not be as rounded, which is also a main issue with the current design.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will sit in the road with a more aggressive stance, this is because it will be both wider and longer, and the alloy wheels will also help to achieve this image. The German automaker knows that getting performance and fuel-economy balanced is a tough job, but I feel tht they are more than up for the task.

There are a number of roads that VW can go down, and I would not mind betting that they would consider a hybrid version in time. Who knows, maybe one day we could even see an all-electric version like the Nissan Leaf.

What do you expect from the 2012 VW Beetle?

With what seems to be a lower roof line the VW looks to be wider with flared wheel arches, in fact the new Beetle looks more purposeful with its lower stance and beefed up bodywork. Though the restyling will never have the same impact as when the Beetle was first reintroduced back in 1998, Volkswagen has obviously felt that it was time for some modernisation.

With the likes of BMW’s Mini and Fiat’s 500, Volkswagen really had to keep the classic lines of the car whilst still providing the safety, comfort and driver involvement that buyers now demand. Seeing as the car has been caught out testing we think it can be safe to say that it is very near to production ready. And if rumours are correct we could see the unveiling at the Los Angeles show.

As with the out-going model the new Beetle will run on a Golf platform, for the 2012 it will be the Golf VI. So expect to see 2.5-litre petrol and 2.0 TDI units installed, there has also been talk of a more powerful powerplant. Does this mean that we will see performance to match the sportier looks? Head over to eurocarblog for the spy shots.