The article was originally produced on March 11, 2013, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

The new Beetle convertible is here and the sun can't wait when this classic rolls out on the roads.

A flight a couple of hours south brings us to Nice, France for the international test drive of the new Beetle Cabriolet. A cold, snow-covered Sweden is left in exchange for a warm sun on the French Riviera. Few cars evoke such emotions as a Volkswagen bubble model with its characteristic lumpy shapes. With the convertible version with its fabric convertible top, it is guaranteed to evoke summer feelings in everyone who sees it. That this is a classic model should not be news to anyone because the first Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, Type 15, came already in 1949 and was produced in no less than 331,847 examples by Karman until 1980. The company Karmann in Osnabrück was founded in 1901 and produced many VW -models but went bankrupt in 2009 and Volkswagen took over. In 2002, the second generation Beetle Cabriolet was launched, also a big seller with 234,619 copies. The new third-generation Beetle Cabriolet was first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2012. 

The first thing that strikes you when you see the new Beetle Cabriolet in real life is that it has grown quite a bit. In addition, the lumpy shapes have been flattened a bit. The result is a more masculine shape that excels in stability in its position on the road. But despite the new shapes, there are the classic lines and details that identify a bubble and its icon status. 

The fabric top only takes ten seconds to fold down and this can be done at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. The sun is now warming and the highway from the airport has been replaced by the beautiful winding roads along the mountain sides along the coast towards Monaco. The Beetle Cabriolet has a well-tuned chassis that makes the ride very comfortable without becoming passive. Thanks to a nice cover for the convertible top, this becomes flat and the visibility to the rear is extraordinary. Just like on the classic bubble, parts of the interior panels such as the glove compartment are painted in the same color as the exterior. Because the new Beetle has grown a bit, four people sit comfortably in both the front and back seats. In addition, the luggage of 225 liters offers enough space to bring most things on the trip.

Engine-wise, four options will be available in Sweden. The engine in the Volkswagen Magasinet car chosen to test is a 1.6 liter diesel engine with a manual 6-speed gearbox. A silky smooth 105 horsepower machine that has power when needed. The other options are three gasoline engines from 1.2 liters to a 200-horsepower 2-liter machine. All versions except the 1.2 liter petrol can be had with the sleepless DSG box. 

With the roof down, it can sometimes be windy, but not in the new Beetle Cabriolet. A wind deflector and flip-up side windows provide a draft-free interior. To guarantee maximum sound experience, a Fender sound system is installed in the car we drive. With deep bass and clear highs, the cabin is filled with the best kind of music delivered from a local radio channel. The sun is warming and life is just as wonderful as it should be when experienced from the seat of a Beetle Cabriolet.