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Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (2003-2011)

Officially known as the ‘New Beetle’, VW’s recreation of a classic was a market success even if it lost most of the unusual engineering that made the original so iconic. It’s not the greatest car to drive but then nobody buys a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet to go racing. That only happens in the movies. In reality this is a fun, stylish car with a neat power hood and room for four adults. The wind won’t bother them, or you, even at motorway speeds and reliability is as you would expect from Volkswagen. Under the skin the mechanics are much the same as the Golf of the same period but the less reserved bodywork means that luggage space is reduced.

Prices were temptingly low for the lower powered cars, just leave the fast driving to Herbie. A Final Edition Beetle was launched at the beginning of 2010 and the all new and rather more capable replacement (the A5) arrived in 2013 making this one, the old New Beetle.

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Details

Production Dates2003-2011
Length 4081 mm / 161 in
Turning Circle 10 m / 394 in
Luggage Capacity 201 litres / 7.1 cu ft
Fuel Tank Capacity 55 litres / 14.5 US gal
Warranty 3 years or 60,000 miles
Service Intervals Variable miles

Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 Cabriolet

The entry level 1.4 litre Beetle Cabriolet was a little under-powered for its weight and was slow to get moving. It did however make an affordable option for those looking for a fun every-day convertible.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1390 cc
Power 75@5000 bhp
Torque 93@3300 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
Kerb Weight 1345 kg / 2965 lb
UK Retail Price from £16,595
UK Insurance Group 6

Performance

Max speed (manual) 99 mph / 159 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 15.6 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 39.8 mpg / 7.1 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 171 g/km

Volkswagen Beetle 1.6 Cabriolet

The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet 1.6 litre is our choice of the range. It has most of the power of the 2 litre car without the added weight and costs. In comparison, the 1.8T seems extravigant for a car that doesn’t focus on sporty performance.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1595 cc
Power 102@5600 bhp
Torque 109@3800 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
UK Retail Price from £18,230
UK Insurance Group 8

Performance

0-100kmph (manual) 12.3 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 36.7 mpg / 7.7 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 185 g/km

Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T Cabriolet

This more powerful turbo-charged engine gives a bit more punch to the 'new' Beetle Cabriolet and makes it easier to overtake slower traffic.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1781 cc
Power 150@5800 bhp
Torque 162@2000 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
UK Retail Price from £22,765
UK Insurance Group 13

Performance

Max speed (manual) 125 mph / 201 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 9.3 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 34.4 mpg / 8.2 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 196 g/km

Volkswagen Beetle 1.9 TDI Cabriolet

For the first time a diesel engine is available in a Beetle and it makes good sense for those travelling high milages. On the downside, the clattery noise and lagging response to sudden acceleration don't really fit in with the top-down driving experience.

Specifications

Fuel type Diesel
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1896 cc
Power 105@4000 bhp
Torque 177@1800 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
UK Retail Price from £21,530
UK Insurance Group 8

Performance

Max speed (manual) 111 mph / 179 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 12 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 51.4 mpg / 5.5 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 145 g/km

Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 Cabriolet

Created mostly for the export market, the 2 litre VW Beetle Cabriolet tops the range but has noticeably less power than the 1.8 turbo and uses more fuel. The Tiptronic gearbox is a bit sleepy compared to the modern DSG units but is solidly made and suits the car well.

Specifications

Fuel typeUnleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1984 cc
Power 115@5400 bhp
Torque 127@3200 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual / 6-spd Tiptronic
UK Retail Price from £23,530
UK Insurance Group 9

Performance

Max speed (manual) 114 mph / 183 kph
Max speed (auto) 112 mph / 180 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 11.7 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 12.9 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 32.1 mpg / 8.8 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 30.7 mpg / 9.2 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 212 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 222 g/km

Information last updated

2 Owner Reviews

Do you drive a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet? Would you recommend it to others? Join the conversation and let us know what you think of the car. This Volkswagen currently has 2 owner reviews.

  1. Avatar for Wogga Wogga says:

    “Reliability is as you expect from VW?!” I guess, compared to Jaguar or Yugo, that’s a compliment?

  2. Avatar for Matty Matty says:

    If you understand that driving this car is more like driving a Morris Minor than driving a modern car then all will be good. It doesn’t soak up the bumps you need to avoid them, it squeaks, creaks and thumps. If you misread a bend in a modern car it will quickly recover its composure and you can motor on. In the convertible it takes time to recover. But if you have mechanical sympathy and you can read the road and its bumps this is a fabulous car. This is old school, the steering, the brakes, the suspension, the tyres, the engine and the gearbox all talk to you and if you listen it is a rewarding drive. But when you change all four tyres you will need to start again and play with the tyre pressues to get the balance back…and it does 60mpg.

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