The Full VW Model Rundown
Everything you need to know before you buy, build or insure a modern VW — Beetles, Golfs, Polos, the Lupo, plus the Transporter, Crafter and Caddy vans and the Bora, Scirocco and Corrado. Tech specs, performance, insurance groups, MPG, running costs and how each model works in the configurator.
Models supported
16 VW models
Era covered
1988–2017
Body styles
Hatch, saloon, coupé, van, cabrio
Wheel fitments
5×100 · 5×112 · 5×130 van
Configurator
Body kit · wheels · colour · lighting
New in the configurator: Vans & Sedans
The configurator now supports VW's vans and sedans alongside the hatchbacks. They run through the same pipeline — body kit, wheels, colour, lighting and vinyls — with options that adapt to the model:
- • Transporter T5, Crafter & Caddy — transporter-style kits (front bars, side skirts, lower arch kits), lowered stance, commercial alloy fitments and livery wraps for street, show or camper builds.
- • Bora & Scirocco — sedans and coupés on the PQ34/PQ35 platforms, so OEM+, GTI-look, R-Line and wide-arch kits apply, with concave alloys and DRL lighting.
- • Corrado — period-correct retro styling, classic wheels and restoration-style builds for the '90s coupé.
Generate a render and you'll get photoreal front, side and rear views of your exact spec — and the parts shop filters automatically to the models each part fits.
Polo Mk6 (2009–2014)
The 6R Polo — sharper, safer and more modern than the Mk5, with 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI engines. Uses the same OEM+, sport-alloy, colour and lighting pipeline as the earlier Polos.
Transporter T5 (2003–2010)
VW's T5 light commercial. In the configurator, vans get transporter-style kits — front bars, side skirts, lower arch kits and a lowered stance — plus 5×130 / 5×120 alloy upgrades and livery wraps for commercial or camper builds.
Crafter (2006–2016)
VW's big LCV. Configurator options lean into heavy-duty styling, cab and commercial alloy fitments, and full livery/vinyl wraps — ideal for show-van and business builds.
Caddy (2004–2015)
The compact Caddy runs the same configurator pipeline as the cars — lowered suspension, street/van-style body kits and alloy upgrades give a tidy street-van look.
Bora (1998–2005)
The Jetta-sibling saloon shares its PQ34 platform with the Golf Mk4 and New Beetle, so OEM+, GTI-look and wide-arch kits all apply — a tidy base for a stealth saloon build.
Scirocco (2008–2017)
The modern Scirocco sits on the PQ35 platform, so R-Line and sport kits, concave alloys and DRL lighting give it a sharp, aggressive stance in the configurator.
Corrado (1988–1995)
The '90s classic. The configurator leans into period-correct retro styling, classic wheel designs and restoration-style builds for a proper modern-classic look.
Detailed model specs
Full tech specs, engines, insurance groups and running costs for the models we have detailed data for. Pick a model below.
Overview
Launched in 1998 from the 1994 'Concept One' show car, the New Beetle brought the original Beetle's silhouette into the modern era — but with a front-mounted, front-wheel-drive layout and a boot up front. Facelifted in 2005 with a cleaner nose and revised interior.
Assembly
Puebla, Mexico (from 1999); Wolfsburg, Germany (1997–1999)
Designers
J Mays & Freeman Thomas (1993 concept), Peter Schreyer
Dimensions & Weight
| Wheelbase | 2,515 mm (99.0 in) |
| Length | 4,129 mm (162.6 in) |
| Width | 1,721 mm (67.8 in) |
| Height | 1,498 mm (59.0 in) |
| Boot capacity | 209 L (7.4 cu ft) |
| Kerb weight | 1,210–1,360 kg (approx.) |
Engines & Performance
| Fuel | Engine | Power | MPG (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1.4L 16v I4 | 75 PS | 44.1 mpg | 153 g/km |
| Petrol | 1.6L I4 | 102 PS | 38.7 mpg | 172 g/km |
| Petrol | 1.8L 20v Turbo I4 | 150 PS | 33.2 mpg | 199 g/km |
| Petrol | 2.0L I4 | 115 PS | 30.4 mpg | 216 g/km |
| Petrol | 2.3L V5 20v | 170 PS | 28.8 mpg | 230 g/km |
| Petrol | 2.5L I5 20v (RSi) | 170 PS | ~30 mpg | — |
| Diesel | 1.9L TDI I4 | 100–105 PS | 52.3–57.6 mpg | 130–143 g/km |
The 1.8T (150 PS) is the pick for tuning — 0–62 mph in ~8.3s and easily remapped to 190+ PS. The 2.0 is relaxed but sluggish; the 1.9 TDI is the economy champion.
Transmissions
Insurance Groups
UK insurance groups
Groups 5–31 (UK 1–50 scale)
By engine
1.4 from group 5 · 1.6 ~group 8 · 1.8T ~group 14 · 2.0 ~group 12 · V5/RSi up to group 31
Cheap to insure for a first car on the 1.4/1.6 engines; the 1.8T and V5 jump considerably.
MPG & Running Costs
| Annual road tax (typical) | £190–£415 (bands F–K on older engines) |
| Fuel cost / mile (1.4) | ~£0.17 |
| Annual fuel (1.4, 12k miles) | ~£1,250 |
| Service interval | Variable, ~10k miles / 12 months |
| Typical insurance (1.4, new driver) | £800–£1,400/yr (varies hugely) |
Figures are indicative averages for UK-spec cars — actual costs depend on engine, gearbox, driving style, mileage and current fuel/VED rates.
Common Issues & Buying Tips
- !Front window regulators fail — cheap fix but very common.
- !Water ingress via blocked scuttle drains soaks the carpet and ECU area.
- !Tappet / cam follower wear on high-mileage 1.6/2.0 8v engines.
- !Convertor/door trim 'tacky' soft-touch coating peels on pre-2005 cars.
- !Check the timing belt history — overdue belts kill 1.8T and 1.9 TDI engines.
Sources & Disclaimer
Specs compiled from Wikipedia (Volkswagen New Beetle / Beetle A5 / Golf / Polo / Lupo / Transporter / Crafter / Caddy / Bora / Scirocco / Corrado) and UK running-cost sources including Parkers, Honest John, Finder UK and Adrian Flux. Insurance groups use the UK 1–50 group scale. Real-world figures vary by exact model year, engine, gearbox and condition — always verify against the specific car before purchasing or insuring. VW Build is an independent enthusiast project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Volkswagen.