Now comes word that Volkswagen will be unveiling a new, new Beetle, reports Winding Road.

Also referred to as the Beetle 2, the car still has the same silhouette as the original Beetle from the 1940s. But it doesn’t appear to be as “puffed up” as the previous old new Beetle. You might say that the VW Golf/Rabbit V was the inspiration for this new version of the old classic. The cabin of the car has been moved back somewhat and it has a slightly flatter roof like the Volkswagen Ragster concept.

The wheelbase is stretched out a bit too from the 98.8 inches of the old new Beetle to 101 inches.

The engine will be more like the 2.0 liter TFSI that appears on the TT and the GTi. The new 'New Beetle' will have a convertible version that is expected to come out during the 2011 model year And there is talk that there will not only be a convertible version but also GTi and R32 models as well as an all-wheel drive incarnation. And possibly also a four-door, a station wagon and even a pickup may be in the works.

The first model is expected out in 2010 with a manufacturers’ suggested retail price of $18,000. The convertible is expected to cost as much as $25,000.

More details and pics can be found above. Our take? Far cry from the more affordable old, old Beetle. But, then again, classics become more cherished and new versions are more costly.