The new Volkswagen Beetle hits the UK market offering a retro body that is trendy, but not everyone’ cup of tea. The look is all that matters with the Beetle, because underneath the body it’s a Golf; one of the best compact cars in the world. In the UK the Beetle can be had with either a 2.0-litre 140 PS TDI turbodiesel engine, or a 2.0-litre 200 PS TSI turbocharged petrol engine.

The idea is those who want economy will get the TDI which does 57.6 mpg combined, and those interested in performance will get the petrol unit, which offers a 0 to 60mph sprint time of 7.5 seconds, and 139 mph top speed.

As for the specifications, you have the Design trim that comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in a choice of two styles, Bluetooth telephone preparation, an RCD 510 DAB CD/radio with MDI multi-device interface (for connecting an iPod or similar), front fog lights, rear Isofix preparation, an alarm, manual air conditioning, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and body-coloured door and dashboard panels.

After that there’s the Sport trim adds 18-inch alloys in a choice of styles, tinted glass, cruise control, sports seats, parking sensors, gloss black door mirrors (silver or black on ‘Turbo’ special editions), gloss black dashboard and door panel and 2Zone electronic climate control.

There’s also a special-edition Turbo Black and Turbo Silver specification, featuring ‘Turbo’ decals in either silver or black along the side, door mirrors in silver or black, the door rubbing strip in body colour and 19-inch Tornado alloy wheels.

Here’s the full price list for the VW Beetle in the British market: