Volkswagen has finally launched the 2012 Beetle, but it's limiting UK deliveries to 3000 this year, and is saying that the automatic version won't be available until next year. Searching the internet, the model spec and availability varies widely all over Europe. In 1999 the same thing happened and I went to Hamburg to buy one. They can't order it this time.

Further Internet research is now showing automatics are off the menu (except in Germany) as is the Basic beetle, but the list prices elsewhere are actually lower than the UK's. Taking prices for the standard ‘Design’ for comparison: UK £19,470; Germany (20,350 euro) £16,936; Holland (19,990 euro) £16,644. Even worse is the US price: $19,795 = £12,601. I feel paranoia coming on.