If you are a sun lover looking to escape the most recent pain at the pump, look no further 
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Oct. 5, 2012
VW New Beetle Convertible TDI – Pricing TBA while offering its owners an easy to achieve 28/41 mpgUS city/highway rating. “Hot Bod” is not included.
While I have wondered when a truly fuel efficient convertible would be offered, I have often considered the MINI convertible as the car to own and drive for those looking for that "open air" feeling. And while it was always tempting to request one for a review, the Mini even with its illustrious history and iconic status just never felt right for me when sitting behind the wheel at the various Auto Show Press Events.
Maybe a drop top with the “right behind the wheel” feeling has finally been found?
Yesterday Volkswagen unveiled its latest edition in the form of the Beetle Convertible, the third-generation ragtop that will be on the LA Auto Show floor for the first time later next month.
Like the type 15 from 1949 and the 2003 New Beetle Convertible—the new Beetle convertible offers new found practicality and fun for four.
Volkswagen has reinterpreted the Beetle and Beetle Convertible’s timeless design with the new Porsche like silhouette consisting of a flatter roofline and a more upright windshield.
Volkswagen’s soft-top takes a little over 10 seconds to “let the sunshine in” at the touch of a single button.
Inside, the Beetle Convertibles body-color dashboard, retro gauges and trim bring back memories of the Bug as I was being ferried around in back in the late 60’s. The cabin is a lot more spacious then way back when with just enough space for four full-size plus some luggage. As in 81 cu. ft. of passenger space and 7 cu. ft. of cargo. Small of course but packaged well and with a timeless style you cannot find anywhere else.
Drivetrain
While the new Beetle Convertible will be available in the US with their not so efficient 2.5L I5 and 2.0L TSI, it is the TDI with a stick that has me actually wanting to drive this car. Imagine that
After our recent world record (
1,675 miles at 90.8 mpgUS from a single tank of fuel in the 2013 Passat TDI) last week and our short but eye opening experience in the Beetle TDI with the 6-speed stick in lousy conditions this past Wednesday (shown below), the Beetle Convertible with the hyper efficient 2.0L TDI is going to make sun lovers awfully happy when it comes to filling up the tank less than half as much as they do currently.
2013 VW “Bug” with the 2.0L TDI and 6-speed MT
76.2 mpgUS and it was relatively easy to achieve too!
The 2.0L TDI I4 makes 140 HP and 236 lb-ft or torque while delivering a 28/41 mpgUS city/highway EPA rating with the six-speed MT.
Safety
VW developed an Automatic Rollover Support System consisting of two roll-over bars concealed behind the back of the rear bench seat that is activated by the computer that deploys the airbags in the case of a crash.
Along with the fixed A-pillars, the two roll-over bars provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within milliseconds. Driver and front passenger combined head-thorax airbags are also standard.
Finally a rag top that is as efficient as it is fun!
Pricing for the U.S. will be announced closer to launch, which occurs sometime between now and Christmas. Damn there are a lot of really efficient cool cars out or coming that should make 2013 even more fun than 2012
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