It's all part of a month-long "Beetlemania" celebration, in which any customer who purchases a new Volkswagen vehicle between November 6 and December 6 will be entered into a draw to win one of the first New Beetles, when the car is launched in Australia at the end of 1999.

Customers will be able to choose from the wide range of added value models, including the Passat Anniversary series, the Caravelle with free CD stacker and the Polo Trek, which comes complete with a free Trek mountain bike.

Also on display will be the new Golf, the fourth generation of the popular hatchback, owned by more than 17 million people worldwide.

The bright yellow New Beetle, currently the only one of its kind in Australia, attracted unprecedented levels of interest at the Sydney International Motor Show.

Managing Director of Volkswagen in Australia, Ewan Ramsay, said many Australians have a personal relationship with the old Beetle and are keen to see and own its successor.

"So in order to satisfy this interest we are taking the New Beetle on tour to as many dealers as practical in November as part of a month of 'Beetlemania', where people who buy a new Volkswagen will also be given the chance to win a New Beetle," Mr Ramsay said.

While the New Beetle has styling reminiscent of itsmuch loved predecessor, it is a thoroughly modern vehicle fitted with the latest Volkswagen technology.

The New Beetle that will tour Australia is actually made to US specifications, and has a 2.0 litre petrol engine.

Demand worldwide for the New Beetle has been unprecedented, and in Australia Volkswagen operates a New Beetle Priority Purchase List - the only way to apply to become a New Beetle owner when the car eventually arrives here.

The New Beetle's tour is as follows:

6-7 November - Brisbane / Gold Coast
14-15 November - Sydney
20-22 November - Melbourne
27-28 November - Adelaide
5 December - Perth