The new Beetle Cabriolet - Petrol and diesel engines

Volkswagen offers the Beetle Cabriolet in Europe exclusively with direct injection, four cylinder turbo-charged engines. The petrol engines (TSI) have output ratings of 77 kW / 105 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS; the diesel engines (TDI) develop 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. Each of these engines can be combined with an optional dual clutch gearbox (six or seven-speed DSG) – a unique feature in this class. The efficiency of the new convertible is illustrated using the two 105 PS versions with BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system and battery regeneration). The TSI has an average fuel efficiency of 5.8l/100 km (134 g of CO₂ per km); in the case of the TDI, this figure decreases to 4.5 l/100 km (118 g of CO₂/km).

Cabriolet-specific acoustics. Volkswagen has matched the sound from the engine, or more correctly the exhaust system, to the basic dynamic layout of the Beetle Cabriolet. The demands for sporty performance were harmonised with the requirements for comfort. This classic conflict of interest was solved by precise tuning of the components reacting to the engine load (intake and flow in exhaust system), allowing the convertible to make a powerful, rich sound at full load as well as at medium to high speeds. With the most powerful engine (147 kW / 200 PS), the car is equipped with an exhaust system using absorption-type silencers for optimised flow. Thanks to reduced exhaust back-pressure, this system satisfies demands for high performance as well as economical operation, with convincing, powerful sound from just above idle as well as under partial load. The performance and efficiency data for the five engines are listed below:

Three petrol engines with outputs of 105 PS, 160 PS and 200 PS

1.2 TSI with output of 77 kW / 105 PS. The 1.2 TSI with 77 kW / 105 PS (at 5,000 rpm) is exceptionally efficient. This turbo-charged 1.2 litre four cylinder engine follows the downsizing principle in an extreme form. The result is maximum power with low fuel consumption and emission values (6.1 l/100 km and 142 g/km CO₂). Nevertheless, the smallest TSI is distinguished by its astonishing performance. For example, the Beetle 1.2 TSI accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 178 km/h. The maximum torque of 175 Newton metres is available from just 1,550 rpm and remains constant up to 4,100 rpm. Even in fifth gear, the Beetle accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in only 16 seconds – providing an elasticity that can hardly be achieved by any conventionally aspirated engine with the same output. The Beetle 1.2 TSI is sold with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

5.8 l/100 km. This engine can also be combined with an optional seven-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). In this case the average fuel consumption is just 5.9 l/100 km (139 g/km CO₂). Also optional is the 1.2 TSI engine with manual transmission and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system and battery regeneration). Average fuel consumption: 5.8 l/100 km (134 g/km CO₂ )

1.4 TSI with output of 118 kW / 160 PS. In the next higher performance category, Volkswagen equips the Beetle Cabriolet with a four cylinder engine with turbo-charger and supercharger (twin charger), providing an output of 118 kW / 160 PS (at 5,800 rpm). Specific output: 84.3 kW or 114.3 PS per litre of displacement. The maximum torque of 240 Newton metres is available from 1,500 rpm up to 4,500 rpm. The result is that this car requires just 11.0 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear; an astounding example of elasticity. The other performance values for the Beetle 1.4 TSI are also sporty: Acceleration to 100 km/h in only 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 206 km/h.

6.4 l/100 km. Just as with the 105 PS TSI, this engine is also extremely economical with fuel consumption of just 6.8 l/100 km; corresponding to a CO₂ value of 158 g/km. Like all engines for the Beetle Cabriolet, this TSI can also be ordered with an optional DSG (dual clutch gearbox), in which case it is even more economical: 6.4 l/100 km (148 g/km CO₂).

2.0 TSI with output of 147 kW / 200 PS. Our largest TSI engine has achieved cult status among fans of sporty Volkswagens. It develops its maximum output at 5,100 rpm. The maximum torque of 280 Newton metres is available at 1,700 rpm. The Beetle Cabriolet 2.0 TSI has a top speed of 223 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

7.5 l/100 km. The average fuel consumption for this turbo-charged engine is 7.5 l/100, and the corresponding CO₂ value is 174 g/km. In the version with six-speed DSG, the engine requires only 7.8 l/km on average (183 g of CO₂/km) 

Two diesel engines with outputs of 105 PS and 160 PS

1.6 TDI with output of 77 kW / 105 PS. The 1.6 TDI is one of the world's most modern diesel engines. It has an output of 77 kW / 105 PS (at 4,400 rpm) and torque of 250 Nm (from 1,500 to 2,500 rpm). As with all Volkswagen TDI engines featuring common rail direct injection, this four cylinder, four valve engine guarantees optimal acoustic characteristics, high agility and extremely low fuel consumption and emission values. Naturally, the Beetle Cabriolet 1.6 TDI is equipped with a particulate filter. On the motorway the Beetle Cabriolet 1.6 TDI has a top speed of 178 km/h (five-speed) or 176 km/h (DSG). The classic acceleration value from 0 to 100 km/h is 12.1 seconds for all versions with this engine.

4.5 l/100 km. The 105 PS diesel engine is extremely economical, with a fuel consumption value of 4.7 l/100 km (124 g of CO₂/km). This engine can optionally be ordered with the seven-speed DSG gearbox. In this case, the average fuel consumption is just 4.9 l/100 km (128 g/km CO₂). However, the fuel consumption values for both versions can be reduced even further by ordering the 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology (with Stop/Start system and battery regeneration). In this case, both versions (with five-speed gearbox or seven-speed DSG) have extremely low fuel consumption values of just 4.5 l/100 km (five-speed: 118 g of CO₂/km, seven-speed DSG: 119 g of CO₂/km).

2.0 TDI with output of 103 kW / 140 PS. The most powerful diesel for the new Beetle Cabriolet is the common rail TDI engine with 103 kW / 140 PS (at 4,200 rpm). This high torque turbo-diesel (320 Nm at 1,750 rpm) can be ordered with six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed DSG.

5.1 l/100 km. On average the TDI engine requires only 5.1 l/100 km (134 g of CO₂/km). With the six-speed DSG, the fuel consumption is 5.6 l/100 km (145 g of CO₂/km). With either gearbox the Beetle Cabriolet accelerates from 0 to 100 km in 9.9 seconds; the top speed is 196 km/h (DSG: 193 km/h).