It must come as something of a culture shock to Volkswagen dealers to find that they're actually having to actively sell the new Beetle. The first cars to hit these shores were, after all, snapped up almost before they had rolled off the boat from Mexico. And this despite the fact that they came with steering wheels on the wrong side.

The introduction of right hand drive models early in 2000 led to another rush of customers, sending UK sales soaring to nearly 5,000 units. Only now is the novelty wearing off: hence the recent improvements to the range and the importance of the model featured here - the entry-level Beetle 1.6 Luna, available as either the familiar hard top for £12,475 or as a pretty Cabriolet for £15,775. This model may sit above the entry level 1.4-litre Beetle but it still accounts for a good share of Beetle sales.

The car has been recently mildly facelifted but the changes haven't amounted to much. There are revised bumpers and wheelarches, with sharper edges than before, plus subtly restyled headlights and front indicators, and tail lights with white circles inside the red circles. The 'VW' emblems have also been modified at the front and rear. In addition, there's a new range of colours and alloy wheels, complemented by fresher fabrics for the interior. Chrome now adorns the air vents and surrounds the instruments, for what Volkswagen reckon is an even higher quality feel inside. The Luna tag means buyers of this car can now expect 16" Houston alloy wheels, in addition to ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) with ABS, twin front and side airbags with active front seat head restraints, a radio/CD player, electric windows and remote central locking with alarm and interior protection.

Early Beetles had all featured the 2.0-litre eight-valve 115bhp petrol engine already used in Golf, Bora and Passat models, capable of surprisingly good performance. Speed however, tends not to be an important consideration for potential Beetle buyers, many of whom were being put off by the lofty asking price. Hence the probable attraction of the Beetle 1.6. When introduced in this variant, this 102bhp petrol unit was new not only to this car but to the entire Volkswagen line-up. It's decently fast (rest to sixty in 11.6s on the way to 111mph) and significantly more frugal than its larger-engined stablemate with a combined consumption figure of 36.7mpg.

"Buy one and make your street a prettier place."

On paper, at least, the 'new' Beetle incarnation has little in common with Hitler's original air-cooled people's car, being a Golf in everything but name and shape. Not that this matters, of course. Volkswagen's crude, noisy and comfortless rear engined, air-cooled original is the last thing that modern buyers would want. For them, the new Beetle must be anything but the basic, functional transport envisioned by the original's creator, Dr Ferdinand Porsche, back in 1945.

If anything, the Beetle interior is even more of a shock than the outside; full marks to the design team for doing the job properly, rather than filling it with Golf and Polo dials from the Volkswagen parts bin. Of course, there are plenty of tell-tale Volkswagen signs; the switches, the firm seats, the positive gearbox - but you don't really notice them. What you do notice are all the natty stylish touches. The big central circular instrument cluster with its huge numbers and cute little built-in rev counter. Plus, of course, the vase (yes, you read that right), ready for you to fill with flower power. More macho buyers can pretend it's a pen holder or something.

As you'd expect from the bubble-like shape, there's enough room inside to wear a top hat should the mood take you. More practically, that high roofline does make travelling in the rear reasonably palatable - though legroom is at a bit of a premium. Unlike many open-top conversions, the Beetle Cabriolet doesn't flex like a wobbleboard when the road is anything less than billiard table smooth. The Golf-based chassis is renowned as one of the stiffest around and the decapitation process has retained much of that torsional rigidity. The rear view mirror doesn't get an attack of the DTs when you pass over an expansion joint nor are there the sort of creaks associated with the final moments of a Bond villain's lair when you negotiate a speed hump. Thanks to that huge windscreen, front seat occupants are well protected from wind buffeting, but anybody in the rear seat will get more of a leathering at speed. Rear seat accommodation for two isn't too bad unless the front passengers have extremely long legs. Headroom is an issue at the back with the hood up, but then it is in a hard top Beetle in the first instance. There's a usefully sized boot, but if you're big on practicality, Volkswagen can offer you an alternative. It's called a Passat Estate.

Like all modern Volkswagens, the Beetle feels like it's hewn from stone, with the kind of build quality you'd expect from something twice as expensive. The little touches help too; the lovely blue instrument lighting which illuminates only the figures on the speedometer; the beautifully designed unique-fit stereo. Equipment levels, as we've seen, include most things on the average wish list and include ESP, the Electronic Stability Programme normally reserved for performance models. This senses when you've entered a corner too fast and automatically reduces the power whilst selectively applying individual brakes so that the car can be kept under control.

On the passive safety front, there's twin side and front airbags built around a platform that's still one of the safest things this side of £30,000. Nice touches include folding rear seat that increases boot space, the height adjustable seats and the three 12V power sockets installed around the car. On the road, the ride is Germanically firm and the handling competent but generally uninspiring.

In summary, the new Beetle is, even in its most basic form, an unashamed indulgence, both on the part of its makers and those who will buy it. The arrival of this car, in either hardtop or cabriolet form, will make your street a prettier place.

TOP 2 BEETLE DEALS

The results below show the top BEETLE deals on buyacar

	Volkswagen Beetle 1.6 Luna 2dr Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £252	Saving £1,730	Price £14,235
	Volkswagen Beetle 1.6 Luna 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £197	Saving £1,397	Price £11,233

typical 12.45% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000