Inheriting Traditional Styling

The history of the Beetle convertible model dates back to 1949, just four years after the original Beetle began production in the immediate aftermath of World War II, when Karmann modified the Volkswagen Type I. This model was produced a total of 330,000 units until production ended in 1980, undergoing only minor changes with the times. The "New Beetle Convertible" was added in 2002 to the second-generation "New Beetle," announced in 1998 after a hiatus.



Now, a convertible model is set to appear for the recently released "The Beetle." It inherits the upright front windshield and distinctive roofline, which are close to the original silhouette, just like the "coupe version" of "The Beetle."



The roof material is a soft top, following the tradition of the original Beetle. The fully automatic opening and closing operation is completed in about 10 seconds, and can be operated at speeds of 30 mph (approximately 48 km/h) or less. This roof comes with a cover as standard, which lies flat when open to ensure visibility.



The exterior, like the previous generation, is characterized by a chrome trim line that circles the boundary between the interior and exterior. The seats are designed to accommodate four people, rather than being the so-called 2+2 configuration. The trunk capacity is 225 liters, but the rear seats are bench seats that can be folded individually to accommodate larger luggage.



For safety, it is equipped with "Active Roll-Over Protection." Two bars, stored behind the rear seats, deploy in milliseconds if a rollover situation is detected. In the unlikely event of a rollover, these protection bars ensure a survival space for four people between the bars and the A-pillar.



Seven engine variations are available for the powertrain. The entry-level gasoline model is the 1.2-liter TSI (77kW/105ps) and its BlueMotion Technology version. Higher up are the 1.4-liter TSI (118kW) and the 2.0-liter (147kW).



Three diesel engines are planned: a 1.6-liter TDI (77kW) and its BlueMotion Technology version, and a 2.0-liter (103kW).



This "The Beetle Convertible" is priced from 21,350 euros in Germany, with orders starting in early November. It is also scheduled to launch in Europe next spring.