2003 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible

Freedom, fun and smiles for all
Acorn Automotive Editor

I arrived in Southern California over 20 years ago, and unless my eyes were deceiving me, everyone was driving a Beetle convertible. At least it seemed like it. So, when VW introduced the New Beetle a couple of years ago a convertible couldn’t be far behind.

Evoking the free-spirited attitude of the original Volkswagen soft-top, the highly anticipated New Beetle convertible, arriving at dealers now, promises today’s drivers a unique and dynamic motoring experience. With the launch of this car, Volkswagen has written a new chapter in its history.

The New Beetle convertible is unlike any car on the road, representing one of the most expressive designs in the industry. With a wealth of standard features, a unique styling statement and renowned engineering, the New Beetle convertible furthers Volkswagen’s notion of a "people’s car"—one that appeals to the young at heart across a broad sector of drivers. Status is not a factor. Absolute fun is.

The New Beetle convertible, with a price starting at $20,450 for the GL, aims to be the highest-volume, lowest-priced European convertible in North America. Like all modern Volkswagen cars, the convertible combines German engineering and performance, plus exceptional fit and finish, with high value for the money.

Each New Beetle convertible provides an ideal balance of power and performance, beginning with the GL 2.0. The 2.0-liter, SOHC, four-cylinder power plant produces 115 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. More important, its maximum torque of 126-lbs. ft. is realized between 1,750 and 3,200 rpm. Engineers redesigned this reliable engine specifically to benefit the New Beetle convertible.

The technically advanced 1.8Tmotor, available later this year, employs VW’s revolutionary five valve per-cylinder technology. Providing substantial, six-cylinder-like power delivery and performance, the New Beetle convertible’s 1.8T is remarkably efficient, using a turbocharger and an intercooler. The result is a compact, efficient four-cylinder engine, delivering 150 hp at 5,800 rpm and 162 lbs. ft. of torque all the way from 2,200 to 4,200 rpm, an extraordinarily flat torque curve that provides plenty of pulling power from the low end through the top.

The New Beetle convertible has an extra-rigid body structure and semi-independent suspension system, both of which help give the New Beetle convertible a rock-solid feel.

With its primary emotion fun, the convertible has a fivespeed manual transmission, or a new for North America, an optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic that allows automatic transmission operation or, when the driver desires more control, manual shifting through the gears using a special shift gate.

Taking full advantage of the engine’s torque, the six-speed automatic transmission enhances acceleration and increases fuel economy.

This car is a head turner. True to its beloved predecessors, the New Beetle convertible evokes an appeal that brings smiles to drivers and onlookers alike. To maintain structural integrity without sacrificing its round shape, the New Beetle convertible’s body has been enhanced to provide additional support, including a rear seat support that enhances chassis rigidity.

The New Beetle convertible is available with a manual or semi-automatic cloth-lined top that features three layers to ensure excellent insulation and appearance. The power top is easy to operate, and opens and closes in a mere 13 seconds. Once open, the soft-top rests behind the rear seats giving the classic look of the original Beetle convertible. Now with power windows that work with the convertible top by automatically lowering slightly to clear the soft top whenever the doors are opened, and then raising to form an ideal seal from wind and water. When the top is opened, the windows again lower slightly to prevent binding. An optional windblocker helps protect occupants during open-air trips.

There is a long list of standard safety items, including driver and front passenger airbags, side-impact airbags mounted in the seatbacks, a safety-belt tensioning system, a collapsible steering column, an emergency trunk release handle and rear-seat tether anchorage points for securing a child safety seat.

Inside, the New Beetle convertible has an amazing 10-speaker sound system with two 220-millimeter subwoofers in the front, two 160-mm woofers in the rear, four tweeters and two mid-range speakers. The placement of the speakers helps maintain high-quality stereo sound even while competing with wind buffeting that is typical of a convertible with its top down. Three 12-volt power points (in the front and rear seating areas and in the trunk) along with a redesigned center console make the New Beetle convertible a truly convenient car.

The center console features an armrest and lockable storage compartment that secures items even when the top is down. Standard leatherette upholstery helps make the interior easy to clean and maintain — a particularly desirable quality for seating that’s exposed to outdoor elements. Leather seating surfaces are optional in GLS models and standard in the GLX.

Due to its novel dome shape, the New Beetle convertible’s front occupants enjoy spacious headroom and legroom. In the cabin, the New Beetle convertible features 78 cubic feet of passenger volume. The 5 cu.ft. of trunk capacity can be expanded when owners take advantage of the convertible’s lockable rear-seat pass-through.

The New Beetle has been an unprecedented sucess and I have no doubt that the convertible will be the same. Be aware, however, that this is basic transportation. The main reason for owning the New Beetle convertible is fun, both in driving and, most important, interaction with other motorists.

Neftin Volkswagen in the T.O. auto mall has just received its first cars.