Factory code: 1Y
Just two months after the world premiere of the “Concept 1” study in Detroit, Volkswagen presents the “Concept 1 Cabriolet” at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. The feedback is overwhelming, but series production has to wait another nine years. It is not until the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the New Beetle Cabriolet is finally officially unveiled. The model is set to continue the success story of over a million open-top Volkswagen cars to date.
The road to series production was much more work than “just cutting it open”: in addition to numerous body reinforcements, the frameless design features an (optional) roof that opens automatically in just 13 seconds and an innovative rollover protection system. Targeted reinforcements such as high-strength tubes in the A and B pillars, doors, and floor assembly ensure optimum stability. The driving experience deserves to be described as "unique". The windscreen is positioned far forward, giving the driver and front passenger almost unlimited fresh air enjoyment. The fabric soft top is a successful nod to the past: it folds neatly away and, as in the VW Beetle Cabriolet, lies behind the rear passengers over the boot lid. Of course, the New Beetle Cabriolet also cuts an astonishingly good figure when closed: the noise comfort under the dome-shaped fabric roof is on a par with that of vehicles with a fixed roof.
Like its closed sister model, the New Beetle, the New Beetle Cabriolet is based on the PQ34 (A4) platform and draws all its essential technical components from the Group's own platform modular system. The VW New Beetle Cabriolet is available with four petrol engines and two diesel engines. The power output ranges from 55 kW (75 PS) to 110 kW (150 PS). The 2.0-litre petrol engine can be combined with a 6-speed Tiptronic transmission.
However, the New Beetle RSi Cabriolet remains a dream that does not make it into small-series production.
