- Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, 2013
Some special cars reflect the fundamental attitude of their owners - the new Beetle Cabriolet is such a car. Driving this Volkswagen shows that the people inside really enjoy a sporty design, colours and driving with the top down. Even ordering the new Beetle Cabriolet will be a cult act for most buyers - because many more options are available to express your individual taste than ever before: five standard equipment versions are available ("Beetle", "Design", "Design Exclusive", "Sport" and "Sport Exclusive") as well as three special models ("50's Edition", "60's Edition" and "70's Edition"). This range is supplemented by twelve finishes and two soft top colours, eleven different types of interior textile and leather trim, twelve rims, innumerable technical and visual features as well as efficient petrol and diesel engines with performance ranging from 77 kW /105 PS to 147 kW /200 PS. These are all turbocharged engines, available with optional six and sevenspeed dual clutch gearboxes. Fuel economy range for these efficient, high torque, four-cylinder engines: 4.5 to 7.8 l/100 km.
The Beetle Cabriolet is the lowest priced open-top car from Volkswagen
"The new Beetle Cabriolet", according to Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand, Technical Development, "takes the design of the original open Beetle and New Beetle, transferring the shapes to present times and enriching everything with a high degree of sportiness. In most European countries, the new Beetle Cabriolet can already be ordered, and at attractive prices". In Germany, this four-seater starts with a base price of 21,350 euros - making the opentop Beetle the lowest priced convertible in the Volkswagen range.
Top opens and closes while driving
The new Beetle Cabriolet has become larger and more majestic. It has an elongated, wider appearance, the roof is flatter, the proportions more dynamic. Beyond any performance figures and fuel economy values, the most important figure for a convertible: The time required to put down the top. Only 9.5 seconds with the Beetle Cabriolet, and thanks to its electric motor, this is an almost noiseless process. It even works while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. When retracted the soft top is stored compactly behind the rear seat where it does not restrict the view to the rear. The soft top on the Beetle Cabriolet can be closed in 11.0 seconds; the additional 1.5 seconds are required to allow the electric drive to automatically lock the roof to the windscreen frame.
Even a new car is a collector's item
The day they are delivered, purchasers of the new Beetle Cabriolets receive cars destined for a long service life. That's the way it has always been with the convertibles in this series: First new cars kept by the original owners for a long time, then classic and, finally, vintage cars. And used cars? Granted! Multitudes of the 565,000 convertibles under the Beetle label have taken this route. And that's the way it will be in the future.
Exterior
The design of the Beetle Cabriolet retains the distinctive charisma of the coupé, demonstrating, in open as well as closed state, the unmistakable and timeless character of the original Beetle Cabriolet. In both cases, it is the soft top that gives this car its very special style. In spite of all its modern features, with the top up, it is reminiscent of the early period of the automobile when all cars had rag tops. And the top of the new Beetle Cabriolet can be put down in only 9.5 seconds, allowing you to enjoy it as a pure summer car. When closed, the Beetle is automatically converted into a multi-talented companion for all seasons.
The roof in detail
Thanks to the so-called K-fold feature of this roof covered with multiple layers, weather-proof fabric (in "black" or "nutria beige"), the entire roof system can be put down in a very compact space. Result: Even with the top down, the boot volume (225 litres) remains the same as when the soft top is closed. The outer surface of this top consists of one centre section and two side parts; the seams between the centre section and sides also serve simultaneously as rain gutters. Volkswagen uses foam-bonded fabric for the headliner on the inside. An acoustically insulating fibre mat is located between the outer surface and headliner to bring the acoustic characteristics up to the same level appreciated in the Beetle with a metal roof or panoramic sunroof.
Soft top remains in optimum position even at high speed
The folding frame and tensioning structure form the basic design of the soft top. The top frame consists of the front section (interface to windscreen frame), two lateral frames with seals, the movable rear tensioning structure, one main pivot on each side, four arched elements (to which the soft top is also fastened) and the heated rear glass window. The attachment points between the soft top and roof frame ensure that the outer surface remains in its optimum position even at high speeds. Classy: As on the New Beetle Cabriolet, a circumferential chrome strip below the soft top and side windows separates the top from the body area.
Design and dimensions
With a length of 4,278 mm, the new convertible is 152 mm longer than the New Beetle. It is also 84 mm wider (1,808 mm, not including exterior rear-view mirrors). Since the convertible is 29 mm flatter, with a height of 1.473, the proportions alone give this Beetle a very sporty appearance.
Rear spoiler as standard feature
The style itself follows the Volkswagen design DNA. This is clearly demonstrated by the horizontal layout of the rear bumper, the front air inlet, the straight bonnet edges, the precisely drawn line between the A-pillars and soft top C-pillars or the design of the taillights. One thing is certain: All of the styling characteristics of the Beetle and New Beetle have been preserved - which is little surprise, because cars like the Beetle have had a decisive influence on Volkswagen's design DNA. Of course, other design features of the Beetle Cabriolet include the extending wings and clearly marked taillights, the shape of the bonnet, the rocker panels and door sills and - more than ever - the capability to integrate large wheels (up to 19 inch). An entirely new feature on the Beetle Cabriolet is the rear spoiler, which is homogeneously integrated into the design as a standard feature and helps to maintain high speed stability. The bottom surface of the rear spoiler is always finished in black, while the top is painted to match the colour of the car.
Uncompromising safety
Just like the New Beetle Cabriolet, this new open-top Volkswagen is equipped with a rollover protection system as a standard feature. This design of this invisible rollbar has been advanced in many respects, making it possible now to equip the convertible with symmetrically divided rear seat backrests and thus allowing transport of long items. Within milliseconds of the vehicle exceeding a defined lateral acceleration or vehicle inclination threshold, the rollover protection system shoots up behind the rear headrests. This mechanism is controlled by the central airbag actuating unit. For the newest version of this rollover protection system, use of high tensile strength steel and aluminium have made it possible to reduce the weight by nearly 50 per cent in comparison to other solutions.
Reinforced body shell
The rollover protection system is part of a comprehensive safety package, which ensures the highest level of passive safety for the convertible. Other specific modifications include a stable tubular member in the top edge of the door, reinforced A-pillars (additional 0.5 mm sheet metal thickness) and particularly strong rocker panels. On the Beetle Cabriolet, the A-pillars also consist of extremely stable, hot-shaped sheet metal. These features also serve to protect passengers in a head-on collision or when the car rolls. In side-on collisions, the function of the most important structural components are assumed by the reinforced B-pillars, the floor cross-members and the doors. The passive safety features are completed by the front airbags and side head-thorax airbags. The entire reinforcement and the rollover protection system results in 114 kilograms of additional weight for the convertible in comparison to the coupé.
Extreme torsional rigidity
Simultaneously, the body reinforcement improves the car's static and dynamic torsional rigidity. The resonant torsional frequency has an excellent value of 17.8 Hz. For this reason, the new Beetle Cabriolet does not require any vibration dampers, such as are frequently used on other convertibles.
Interior
What the Beetle Cabriolet has in common with the cabriolet of the New Beetle range is the truly "open" convertible feeling without the need for an extremely long windscreen frame. Both driver and passengers enjoy every millimetre of space to the roof frame, which is simply missing on other convertibles. Moreover: The additional exterior length of 152 mm in comparison to the New Beetle Cabriolet becomes very evident in the interior and boot. This impression is intensified by the fact that all four passengers enjoy generous headroom even with the roof closed; an additional 12 mm in comparison to the New Beetle Cabriolet.
Folding rear seat backrests as standard feature
Even when put down, the soft top does not limit the space in the boot; in comparison to the New Beetle Cabriolet, the volume was increased by 24 litres for a total of 225 litres. In contrast to the New Beetle Cabriolet, the symmetrically divided rear seat backrest can be folded down thanks to a newly developed rollover protection system.
Wind deflector eliminates drafts
The convertible can also be ordered with a wind deflector, which can easily be fastened above the rear seat, allowing you to take long trips with the roof open. When the wind deflector is in use, the two rear seats offer additional storage space. Perfection in detail: When not in use, the wind deflector can be stored in its own special compartment in the boot, where it is protected and takes up only minimal space.
Charismatic interior
Many details make the interior of the Beetle Cabriolet pleasantly unique. For instance, as already described, the relatively upright windscreen, reminiscent of classic sports cars. And the instrument panel - the Dash Pad - combining innovative technology and controls with an enamel finished surface and glove compartment similar to that in the air-cooled Beetle. It offers a great deal of space and comfort for four passengers. It has seats just as well-suited for a ride over the north loop as a trip from London to Lisbon. And there are shapes that are not an end in themselves but always have a functional purpose as well. For instance, the shape and colour of the instrument panel, which creates a visual bridge back to the time of the first Beetle, but is not retro.
Ambient illumination in red, white or blue
Next to the steering wheel, the Beetle Cabriolet not only has a small wheel for regulating the brightness of the instrument panel; it also has an (optional) second wheel with the scale markings "0", "r", "w" and "b". This wheel allows selection of the colour for the ambient illumination: Red, white or blue. Indirect illumination is provided on the top rail of the door, while direct illumination emanates from around the outer circumference of the door speakers in the form of a light ring. The multi-coloured ambient illumination is offered as a package in combination with the also optional Fender sound system. A single colour version (white) without light ring around the speakers is offered as a standard feature in combination with the "Sport" and "Sport Exclusive" versions.
Information and systems within easy view of the driver
In front of the driver, three round instruments (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) provide all significant information; a multi-function display is also integrated in the centre of the middle speedometer. Beginning with the "Design" version, the adjustable air vents and instruments also have chrome trim. This also applies to the audio/navigation system, which is located optimally in the centre of the dashboard, in the driver's field of vision. And beneath: the control for the air conditioning, a central switch strip for the hazard warning flasher and finally the shift lever with the start button for the engine located in front of it (optional).
Second glove compartment in Beetle style
Like the air-cooled Beetle, the Beetle Cabriolet has an additional glovebox with top-hinged lid integrated into the front trim on the passenger side (the standard glove compartment also integrated into the dashboard is hinged at the bottom). Other interesting features include the auxiliary instruments above the audio/navigation system with oil temperature display, stop watch and charge pressure indicator above the centre console on the instrument panel.
Equipment versions and special models
The new Beetle Cabriolet is being launched with five equipment versions: "Beetle," "Design," "Design Exclusive," "Sport" and "Sport Exclusive." Moreover, three special models are being offered for a limited time especially for this open version of the Beetle: the "50's Edition," "60's Edition" and "70's Edition," each with the flair of the decade after which it is named. Each of these eight different models has its own particular character.
Electrically operated top standard on every model
Standard features on every Beetle Cabriolet include an electrically-operated soft top, a soft top cover for use when the top is down (dust protection), electric windows all round, RCD 310 audio system (eight speakers, CD player, MP3 function, double tuner, AUX IN interface), daytime running lights, electronic stabilisation programme including electronic differential lock plus brake assist and hill climb assist, airbag system with front and side head-thorax airbags and active rollover protection system.
Bi-xenon headlights and Fender sound system
For the first time, the optional features available for the Beetle Cabriolet include details such as bi-xenon headlights, a keyless starting and locking system (Keyless Access), multi-colour ambient illumination, a Fender sound system (400 watts of pure power including subwoofer), automatic climate control, radio/navigation system, auxiliary instruments on the dashboard (stop watch, oil temperature, charge pressure) and alloy wheels up to 19".
"Beetle," "Design / Exclusive," "Sport / Exclusive"
Engine / equipment combinations. The two entry level engines (diesel and petrol each with a power output of 77 kW / 105 PS) can be ordered in combination with the "Beetle," "Design" and "Design Exclusive" specifications; the "Sport" and "Sport Exclusive" versions are not available with these engines. All five versions can be combined with the intermediate performance engines (103 kW / 140 PS and 118 kW / 160 PS). The top engine (147 kW / 200 PS) is available exclusively with "Sport" and "Sport Exclusive" specification.
