2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet 1.2L TSI 7AT FWD (105 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Volkswagen unveiled the second generation of the Beetle Cabriolet at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show and promised a better driving experience due to the added strength.

The automaker developed the second iteration of the Beetle based on the A5 PQ35 platform carried over from the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf, which was also available as a convertible. However, the car manufacturer said that more braces were added under the vehicle and in the rear to reinforce the structure. As a result, the new model was 20% stiffer than its predecessor. Furthermore, the 2013 Beetle Cabriolet came with an improved mechanism for the ragtop that could open or close the canopy in 9.5 and 11 seconds, respectively.

Walter de Silva designed the second generation of the Beetle, and it was one of the last products he penned for the German automaker. It was truly a work of art, and the car breathed passion into every line and detail. At the front, the new headlights were underlined by pearl-like LED daytime running lights. They were mounted on the arched front fenders. Instead of integrating the blinkers and the parking lights inside the headlamps, the designer placed those underneath and put them into the bumper. At the same time, the apron sported a broad air intake crossed by a chromed horizontal slat.

With a profile characterized by curves and arched lines, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet was an unmistakable vehicle. Its rounded front and rear fenders were visually connected by side sills that resembled those placed on the 2001 Beetle RSi. Furthermore, the thick A-pillars also served as safety arches and protected front passengers in the event of a rollover crash. For the rear ones, Volkswagen installed an automatic system that deployed a set of protections within milliseconds. Even if the car was based on the same platform as its coupe sibling, it was 152 mm (6 inches) longer. With the roof up, the car still sat 29 mm (1.1 inches) lower than its coupe sibling. Surprisingly, though, even if Volkswagen had the technology to create a fully retractable rag top that could completely conceal behind the cabin, the automaker kept it exposed, resembling the one from the original 1939 model. Finally, at the back, the Beetle Cabriolet featured a fixed spoiler on the trunk’s lid.

The cabin shared many of its parts with the coupe version, with the driver fronting a round instrument cluster where the wide speedometer took center stage. It was flanked by the tachometer on the left and by one of the largest fuel level gauges in the industry on the right. The redesigned seats were mildly bolstered and provided enough comfort for the front occupants. However, the rear bench seat was fixed and could accommodate two passengers, albeit legroom was nothing to write home about. However, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet featured a through-loading mechanism, which allowed customers to load longer items, such as skis.

Under the hood, Volkswagen offered something for everyone. While in the U.S., the car was available with just two engines. At the same time, European customers could get the car with more powerplants. Furthermore, like its predecessor, it was offered with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions that sent the power to the front wheels only.