Meet the 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle, the car named after its own hashtag

By Stephen Edelstein Published December 26, 2017

Okay, this one might be a little difficult to take seriously. You see, the latest limited-edition Volkswagen Beetle is not only Barbie pink, it’s also named after its own hashtag. It’s part car, part meme in the making. It’s the 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle.

Based on a concept from the 2015 New York Auto Show, VW says the #PinkBeetle is the first vehicle officially named after its own hashtag, and this writer does not doubt that claim. When it was first shown in 2015, the pink Beetle was known as the Pink Color Edition, a name that doesn’t express as much social media savvy. The production #PinkBeetle will be available as a coupe or convertible when it goes on sale this fall.

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The specific shade of pink used on this limited edition is called Fresh Fuchsia Metallic, in case you were wondering. In addition to the vibrant paint color, the #PinkBeetle features black mirror caps and running boards, and the lighting package that’s optional on other Beetle models: bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and an LED rear license plate light. Coupe models ride on 17-inch wheels, while convertibles get 18-inch wheels.

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Read more: VW’s Beetle Denim Convertible costs as much as 520 pairs of jeans

The interior is mostly black with pink trim, including plaid seats, a nod to one of the signature interior styling features of VW’s GTI “hot hatchback.” Notable features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel with pad shifters and VW’s MIB II infotainment system, with 6.3-inch touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The only available engine on the #PinkBeetle is a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which sends 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. That means the #PinkBeetle will probably offer performance that’s about as serious as its looks.

The 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle goes on sale this fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date. VW says the model will be sold in “limited quantities,” but won’t discuss actual production numbers. The #PinkBeetle joins the Dune and Denim special editions as Volkswagen tries to rekindle interest in the aging Beetle.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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