The new Beetle Cabriolet makes its world premiere at the Los Angeles
Auto Show
Launching in Europe in
spring 2013
Wolfsburg - A new wind
will soon be blowing in the open-top car market, created by a new
Volkswagen: the Beetle Cabriolet. The car continues a unique automotive
story: following the original Beetle Cabriolet (type 15), first launched
in 1949, and the New Beetle Cabriolet of 2002, it marks the third
generation of the curvaceous Volkswagen soft-top that offers
unprecedented practicality and open-top driving fun for four.
Its unmistakable
silhouette has made generations of the Beetle into cult cars. The fact
that over 330,000 units of the original Beetle Cabriolet cars were
produced from 1949 to 1980 speaks for itself. In creating the latest
version of the Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the
timeless design of bygone days and given the silhouette a sportier and
more dynamic look. The combination of a flatter roofline and the more
upright windshield gives the car a silhouette that resembles that of the
legendary original Beetle Cabriolet.
The new model also incorporates
design criteria of the modern Volkswagen line-up: the air inlet
under the bumper, the flat contour of the hood’s bottom edge and
in particular the tail lights show the close family ties. In the
new Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen brings together modern
technology and the highest standards of quality with the
emotional legacy of the car’s ‘forefather’. As on the nostalgic
icon, the headlights still have their classic round shape.
Another feature
contributing to the special charm of the new Beetle Cabriolet is the
traditional soft top. When open it lies very flat, enabling good vision
to the rear. Despite its compact construction, the top is very wide and
elongated in shape. It opens and closes entirely automatically (on all
models) within around ten seconds and up to a driving speed of 30mph.
Included with the
Beetle Cabriolet is a standard soft-top cover, which, if desired, tucks
the opened top neatly away. Surrounding chrome trim accentuates the
borders between steel and fabric. As in other Beetle models, the compact
instrument panel with extra large round instrument cluster and several
nostalgic elements, such as the additional glove box, create a markedly
different design inside the new Beetle Cabriolet as well.
With its spacious and
comfortably designed interior the Beetle Cabriolet is a fully-fledged
four-seat vehicle. The trunk enfolding up to 225 liters includes a
fold-down symmetrically split rear bench seat which allows transporting
bigger items event when the roof is closed.
To provide added safety
in the event of a rollover accident, Volkswagen has developed an active
rollover protection system. It consists of two extendable modules fitted
inside the vehicle in concealed fashion behind the back of the rear
bench seat. If the car were to roll over, the two rollover modules would
be activated via the central airbag triggering unit. Along with the
fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of
all four seats within a matter of milliseconds. Another extra safety
feature is front and head-thorax-airbags that are standard equipment.
The new Beetle Cabriolet will be available
with seven engine options. The entry-level engine is a highly efficient
1.2-liter TSI, delivering 77 kW/ 105 PS. Right from the launch, the
BlueMotion Technology version of this gasoline engine will also be
available. The other gasoline engines are the lively 1.4-liter TSI and
the 2.0-liter version, producing 118 kW and 147 kW respectively. In the
diesel area, Volkswagen is offering the tried and tested 1.6-liter TDI
with 77 kW (including as a BMT version) and the 2.0-liter TDI,
delivering 103 kW.
In Germany, the new Beetle Cabriolet can
be ordered beginning in November with prices starting at €21,350.
