Volkswagen has boosted the appeal of its New Beetle and Cabriolet models with the addition of two new engines: the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.9-litre 100 PS TDI PD unit. This means prices now start at just £11,295 on the road for the New Beetle 1.4 and £14,175 for the Cabriolet.
The 1.4-litre 75 PS petrol engine is already popular in the Golf, Polo and Lupo line-ups, and its addition to the New Beetle range makes the model accessible to an even wider range of customers. At £11,295 for the hatchback, the New Beetle is priced lower than many less stylish and desirable competitor models.
But despite its low price-tag, the New Beetle is well-equipped, with standard ABS, twin front and side airbags and active head restraints, ESP with EDL and ASR*, remote central locking with alarm and 16-inch wheels. The Cabriolet 1.4 is also generously equipped, with all the same features as the 1.6-litre model except for the electric power hood, which is a £625 option. The new 1.4-litre engine will account for around 30 per cent of Cabriolet sales and 25 per cent of New Beetle hatchbacks.
Also launched is the diesel New Beetle Cabriolet, which is only the second diesel-powered convertible available in the UK. Volkswagen’s popular 1.9-litre TDI PD 100 PS unit has been adapted to comply with EU4 emissions legislation.
The Cabriolet 1.9-litre TDI PD costs £17,575 on the road, and offers the same level of specification as the 1.6-litre petrol with the addition of air conditioning. Approximately 450 diesel New Beetle Cabriolets will be sold in the UK this year.
The New Beetle Cabriolet was crowned ‘Convertible of the Year’ in What Car? magazine’s Car of the Year Awards 2003. Volkswagen plans to sell around 6,000 New Beetles and 3,000 Cabriolets this year in the UK. Both models are available to order now. Full technical details for the 1.4-litre models follow. Those for the diesel will be available shortly.
* Electronic Stabilisation Programme with Electronic Differential Lock and traction control
| New Beetle hatchback | New Beetle Cabriolet | |
| Cubic capacity – litres/cc | 1.4/1390 | 1.4/1390 |
| Output – PS/rpm | 75/5000 | 75/5000 |
| Max torque – lbs ft/rpm | 93/3800 | 93/3800 |
| Gearbox | 5 spd manual | 5 spd manual |
| Top speed – mph | 100 | 100 |
| 0-62 mph – secs | 14.6 | 15.6 |
| Economy – mpg urban | 30.1 | 29.4 |
| extra urban | 48.7 | 47.9 |
| combined | 39.8 | 39.2 |
| CO2 – g/km | 170 | 173 |
| On the road price – | 11,295 | 14,175 |
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