VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (Spanish below)
The third-generation Beetle Convertible has been a success story for Volkswagen. For 2015, the Beetle family of cars has a modest number of enhancements. A new, limited-edition trim—Classic—joins the lineup, offering unique seat fabric, RNS 315 navigation, and a six-speed automatic transmission. 17-inch “Circle” alloy wheels are also available on this trim, and can be white or black, depending on the exterior color.
Exterior
Compared with the 2006 version of the older car, the latest Beetle Convertible is 3.3 inches wider at 71.2 inches; 1.1 inches lower at 58.0 inches tall; and 6.0 inches longer at 168.4 inches overall.
To help with rigidity, the Beetle Convertible’s body needed reinforcements. This included the use of partial body reinforcements and sheetmetal with greater strength such as:
The A-pillar’s interior bar is 0.5 mm thicker and made from ultra-high-strength hot-formed steel instead of cold-formed metal. There is also a reinforcement in the “bend area”
The front roof crossmember has an additional central plate
Additional tubing made of ultra-high-strength (hot formed) steel between the B-pillars as well as a stronger heel plate
More sheetmetal in the lower body sidemembers
An extra rear panel that integrates the Automatic Rollover Support System is made of high-strength steel
Due to the targeted use of materials and laser welding of selected parts, the body stiffness was increased by 20 percent over that of the previous New Beetle Convertible: the torsional rigidity is now 17.8 Hz.
Top up, the Beetle Convertible has an even lower roofline than the Coupe’s. 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 top is powered by two electric motors and latches and unlatches 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.
Pressing and holding the button opens the top, while pulling and holding closes it. The side windows automatically drop when the top is opened and are raised when it closes. There is an indicator light located in the instrument panel. On Beetle Convertibles equipped with Keyless access with push-button start, it’s possible to operate the top remotely, from outside the vehicle. Trunk space remains the same whether the top is open or closed.
An integrated wind blocking system is available on the Beetle Convertible as a Volkswagen Genuine Accessory. It is housed in the trunk under the convertible top area and can be safely and neatly stowed when folded and not in use. The storage compartment for the wind blocker is designed to allow full use of the trunk area.
Interior
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 R-Line and TDI Clean Diesel models.
All 2015 Beetle Convertibles are exceptionally well equipped. The base 1.8-liter model has standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; an eight-speaker sound system with aux-in; Bluetooth technology; a Media Device Interface with iPod cable; three-color adjustable ambient lighting; heatable front seats and exterior mirrors; cruise control; and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces.
Available features include Keyless access with push-button start, leather seating surfaces, the RNS 315 navigation system, the award-winning Fender® Premium Audio System, Bi-Xenon headlights, and Sirius XM® Satellite Radio.
Engines and Transmissions
The 2015 Beetle Convertible offers the following powertrain combinations: the 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TSI engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; the 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions; and the 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged Clean Diesel with the same manual or DSG options.
The Beetle models feature a EA888 Gen 3 turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that is made in Silao, Mexico. This 1.8-liter engine produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque—the same power, but seven pound-feet more torque, delivered lower in the engine speed range than the 2.5-liter five-cylinder powerplant. The EPA estimated fuel economy rating is 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, an improvement of five mpg on the highway over the 2.5-liter engine.
Suspension
All Beetle Convertible models are fitted with a strut-type front suspension with lower control arms and an anti-roll bar: on the R-Line’s sport suspension, the bar’s diameter is increased from 22 mm to 23 mm. At the back, all models get a multi-link independent rear suspension with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an 18-mm-diameter anti-roll bar.
Beetle Convertible
The Beetle Convertible, which has a starting MSRP of $25,345, comes standard with: six-speed automatic transmission; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; high-line trip computer; air conditioning; Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod adapter; three-color adjustable ambient lighting; Bluetooth technology; heated front seats; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; eight-speaker sound system with aux-in; cruise control; kaeferfach additional glovebox; 50/50 split folding rear seat; rear spoiler; power adjustable, heatable side mirrors; and six-month trial to Volkswagen Car-Net at no additional charge.
Suggested Retail Price excludes transportation, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges.
El VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DESCAPOTABLE
Solamente el pasado enero 2015 la empresa celebró la entrada del primer Volkswagen Beetle en los Estados Unidos hace 65 años, en enero de 1949. Desde ese entonces se han vendido 5.5 millones de modelos del Beetle en sus tres distintos diseños.
Ahora, en el 2015 el “Escarabajo” viene con todos los requisitos que el cliente exige para estar a la “moda”. Adaptador de iPod, Tecnología de Bluetooth, llantas de aluminio de 17 inch, ocho parlantes para proyectar los sonidos, sistema de visor en retroceso, y lo más importante, la dedicación teutona en los detalles, que lo han hecho prestigiarse por tantos años en un Mercado tan exigente como los Estados Unidos.
El modelo 1.8T convertible lo puede encontrar entre $25.000 a 26.500, en algunos negocios de compraventa. El precio sugerido por la compañía comienza en $20.695 y va subiendo de acuerdo a los diseños y preferencias en adicionar un tipo de asiento de cuero, sistemas de navegación, etc. Todo esta supeditado además al cálculo precio base, transporte, impuestos, títulos y otros cargos.
La variación en los modelos parte en un promedio de 24mpg en ciudad y 33mpg en carretera para el Beetle. Muy conveniente para los que tienen que movilizarse al trabajo diario, todos los días cubriendo grandes distancias.
Un modelo conveniente, muy cómodo en el manejo y además, extremadamente amigable.
