'S'uper Beetle; Latest turbo Bug is a rerun worth watching.(Volkswagen)(Brief Article)

The 2002 New Beetle Turbo S threatens to jump the shark, but thankfully pulls back just short. Jumping the shark? That phrase describes a popular television show that's gone one episode past its prime, derived from an egregiously contrived episode of Happy Days in which a water-skiing Fonzie, well, see, he jumped a shark.

Faced with a five-year-old ``New'' Beetle in the marketplace, Volkswagen decided to freshen the flowers in the bud vase by creating an ``S'' version with a higher-output turbocharged inline dohc four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission. We always like more power and more gears, but VeeDubya nearly spoils the good vibes with a clunky power rear wing and new front and rear fascias that are reminiscent of-dare we say?-the bulbous Super Beetles of old-the first shark-jumping sign of VW's impending post-Beetle meltdown.

But let's take a look at the good: By optimizing air intake, ignition timing and fuel mixture, and using a less-restrictive dual exhaust, VW squeezes another 30 horsepower from the 1.8-liter five-valves-per-cylinder engine, pushing output to 180 hp at 5500 rpm. Torque also is up 11 lb-ft to 173 lb-ft at 1950 rpm through 5000 rpm. The engine is mated to VW's first-ever six-speed manual (borrowed from the Audi TT), one that offers fifth or sixth gear as a final-drive gear, depending on driver demands. VW says the extra horses push the S from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds (vs. 8.2 seconds for the 150-hp engine) and to a governed top speed of 130 mph.

So far, so good. Toss in electronic stability control, 17-inch wheels, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, alloy interior accents, stainless-steel pedals, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and heated leather ...