2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Turbo…You Never Forget Your First Time

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My first time was everything that I thought it would be. Get your mind out of the gutter. I meant my first time behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Beetle. Now with a wider frame (3.3 inches more than the 2006 version), longer wheelbase (6.0 inches compared to the 2006 version) and even snazzier than its predecessors, the Beetle is a definite head turner.  Sitting in the lot, I actually thought I saw it wink at me. With a sense of fun oozing from every nook and cranny, the VW Beetle Turbo was ready to hit the road.

vw_engineOn a particular “somewhat” warm day in January I was able put the top down (of course with the heat blasting) and catch a few sights of the coastline.  Flanked by the Turbo engine and fun-loving façade, the Beetle taps into its inner power source with 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Giving up 21/29 MPG (city and highway respectively), hitting the road without breaking the bank or the tank was sooooo cool. Through sturdy design and craftsmanship, the VW engineers developed a solid and dynamic gem. The turbocharged dual-overhead-cam, 16-valve, 2.0-liter direct-injection, 4-cylinder engine had me feeling like the dude in the “Live or Memorex” commercials back in the day. Sticking the corners on 17-in aluminum- alloy wheels dipping and diving through the urban terrains of the greater Los Angeles area, the Beetle set the road on fire.

vw_beetle_convAs you know, I am quite proud of my 4’11 stature, but I did ponder how my friends who hit the 5’9 and taller range would fair. Surprisingly they were very comfortable and had room both above head and around the knees. When the top was down, they actually reveled in the experience. I really appreciated that I could perform this function rolling down the street and not at a complete stop. At my whim, the ragtop came down in one swoop in about 9 seconds and up in under 12 seconds. Properly sealed, there was very little wind noise in ‘up’ position, which provided a quiet cabin.

vw_int2The interior of the Beetle Turbo was just as innovative and refreshing as the exterior. Leather sport seats, and accents, ambient lightening, navigation, top-notch Fender sound system, a cool extra glove box on top of the dashboard, leather-trimmed steering wheel and Bluetooth technology kick up the swag and style points of the Beetle. While it definitely has the DNA of Beetles from years gone by, it stands out as a car of the new millennium.

MSRP $32,295 for more info visit http://web.vw.com/coupe/beetle/

Written by The Car Diva