2012 Volkswagen Beetle in Sanford, NC - $10,972

On the heels of the all-new Volkswagen Beetle coupe introduced last year comes a common sense mix of open-air fun and economy: the 2013 Beetle TDI convertible. Benefiting from the redesign of the Beetle coupe, the TDI convertible offers a modern interpretation of the classic design, along with no-compromise German engineering and a sporty new attitude.

Due to the targeted use of materials and laser welding of selected parts, the Beetle convertible's body stiffness was increased by 20 percent over that of the previous New Beetle Convertible to 17.8 Hz.

With the top up, the Beetle Convertible has an even lower roofline than the Coupe's. The top lies flat when it's lowered, giving good visibility: the flexible leatherette top boot tidies up the appearance and is also a nice retro touch. Volkswagen decided to stick with a traditional softtop because it allows for a roofline that's more like the original 1949 type 15's. Also, a softtop takes up less space than a folding hardtop, thus giving more trunk space. The heatable rear window is made of tempered safety glass.

The softtop's outer shell itself is made from three layers: an outer one of polyacrylic woven fabric; a middle layer of synthetic rubber; and an inner lining of polyester. Underneath, there's a three-layer design for the insulation, made from polyester nonwoven fabric, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) insulating fleece, and polyester spunboard. The headliner is made from foam-laminated fabric. The result is a snug top that yields remarkably low levels of wind noise.

The top is powered by two electric motors and latches and unlatches automatically at the touch of a button, which is located on the upper rail of the windshield surround. The top takes just 9.5 seconds to stow and 11.0 seconds to be raised: the difference is in the time it takes to latch the roof's header to the windshield. The top can be raised and lowered at speeds of up to 31 mph, unusually high for a convertible.

The Beetle TDI convertible is powered by a highly efficient 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder TDI Clean Diesel engine. Torque is communicated to the street through a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Control hardware consists of a strut-type front suspension with a lower control arm and an anti-roll bar that works with a torsion beam rear suspension with coil springs and telescopic dampers.

Inside the passenger cabin, the Beetle Convertible's interior styling, ergonomics and quality build off the themes that were introduced with the Coupe. Three round gauges are arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge), providing all key information at a glance. A multifunction display is integrated in the speedometer, which is housed in the central position in the binnacle. The steering wheel is specially designed with colored accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line.

Framed by two air vents, the audio/navigation system is optimally located in the driver's field of vision on the dashboard. Within easy reach, the climate controls are situated just below. Similar to the original Beetle, the new car has an extra glovebox integrated into the dashboard—the kaeferfach or "Beetle bin". The lid folds upward, while the standard glovebox opens downward. Another classic feature is the auxiliary instrumentation package located above the audio/navigation system that consists of an oil temperature gauge, a sport chronometer, and a boost pressure gauge. This is standard on the Turbo and TDI Clean Diesel models.

Even though the latest Beetle Convertible has a sleeker and sportier roofline than the New Beetle Convertible, front and rear passenger headroom remains plentiful. The longer roof section results in 0.5 inches more rear-seat headroom. Front legroom is improved, too, by 1.6 inches, and front shoulder room grows by 2.5 inches. Overall, the interior volume has increased from 78 to 81.4 cubic feet.

A split-folding rear seat—new on this Beetle—allows the car to carry bulkier and larger items than is normal with a convertible.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 100.0; overall length: 168.4; width: 71.2; height: 58.0

All vehicle measurements are in inches

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-diesel – 140 hp at 4,000 rpm and 236 lbs-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm.

Transmission: six-speed manual, DSG six-speed automatic.

EPA Fuel Economy: 28 city/41 hwy. (manual); 28 city/36 hwy. (automatic)

Cargo capacity: 7.1 cubic feet

Safety features

Dual front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, engine braking assist, hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic differential lock, anti slip regulation, electronic stabilization control, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry, automatic power door locks, and Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Optional safety features includes navigation system and keyless access with push button start.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile

Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile

Corrosion: 12-year/unlimited

Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI convertible starts from $27,895. Destination charges add $795.