-
Car News
Go to Home PageVisit Leftlane's home page for the very latest car news, analysis, editorials, opinion, and more. Updated several times per day.
-
Step 1
Car Info & Pics
Car Information
Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specs, and pictures.
-
Step 2
Reviews
Car Test Drive Reviews and Videos
Our team of experts have driven hundreds of new car models from virtually every automaker, Get their unbiased impressions here.
-
Step 3
Build & Price
Build & Price a New Car
This tool enables you to Build & Price a new car. Optionally, you can then request a price quote from a local dealer based on your selections.
Leftlane's Configurator is currently in BETA and some models are missing.
-
Step 4
Buy A Car
-
- Select Distance
Zip Code and Search Radius are Required to Proceed.
Get a Local Dealer Price Quote
Find New Cars on Dealer Lots
Listings provided by new car dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
Find Used Cars in Your Area
-
Future Cars
Browse Upcoming Future Cars
Go to Future HomeBrowse the latest spy shots or videos of unreleased vehicles.
Tomorrow's Most Popular Cars
-
Tools
Compare Cars
Select make and model of the vehicles you would like to compare
Find a Dealer
Other tools for Shoppers & Owners
Leftlane offers a collection of helpful tools for car shoppers and owners, helping to make spending decisions easier.
Basic Specs
| Base Price | TBA |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 2939 |
| City (MPG) | 20 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 28 |
| Horsepower | 170@5700 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 177@4250 |
| Wheelbase | 99.9 |
| Length (in.) | 168.4 |
| Width (in.) | 71.2 |
| Height (in.) | 58.5 |
Although still sporting the same basic shape that gives the Beetle its iconic and instantly identifiable uniqueness, Volkswagen has done some fairly extensive metallurgy to differentiate the latest model from the car it replaced. This summer, the German automaker is also giving the Beetle a thrifty diesel engine that should appeal to efficiency-minded buyers.
Designed to be both sportier and more fuel-efficient than before, the Beetle looks somewhat like a squashed version of the outgoing mode. Riding on the same architecture that underpins the Volkswagen Jetta, the Beetle shares little more than powertrains with the old car.
The “cathedral” domed roof of the preceding Beetle is gone, replaced by a still characteristically bug-like roof that is more conventional but hardly looks like anything else on the road. Bug-eyed headlamps return, while the tail lamps have been stretched out. The Beetle retains its cargo-friendly hatchback shape and its cartoonish bulging fenders.
Inside, the look is considerably more mature, with the outgoing car’s decade-old styling themes a thing of the past. Switchgear follows VW convention, although available accessory gauges mounted at the top of the dashboard hint at the car’s newfound sportiness. A vertical glovebox mounted flush with the dashboard is designed to hark back to the original Beetle, although the new car has an extra unit mounted below for additional storage.
The flower vase of the outgoing model, deemed inconsistent with the latest Beetle’s masculine and sporty nature, has been dropped. Trunk space is actually up despite the decreased roofline; VW says about 10.9 cubic feet of luggage can be sequestered away behind the second row.
Beetle buyers will initially have the choice of two engines, though a TDI diesel model with 140 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque will arrive this summer. The oil-burning mill will return 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed "DSG" dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Physically, the Beetle TDI is essentially identical to its gas four and five-cylinder brothers, although it gains a supplementary pod on the top of the dashboard that features gauges for oil temperature and turbo boost level as well as a stopwatch. Underneath, the TDI retains the standard Beetle’s front struts and rear torsion beam, although it features the rack-and-pinion electric power steering from the gasoline turbo model.
The a 2.5-liter inline-five is the volume engine for the Beetle. Rated at 170 horsepower, this engine will be capable of 22/31 mpg with a five-speed stick and 22/29 mpg with a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy won’t take much of a hit with the 2.0-liter turbo gas motor, which is rated at 200 ponies and 207 lb-ft. of torque. VW says that the car returns 21/30 with the standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Standard and Optional Equipment
The starter-kit Beetle, the 2.5L model, comes standard with power windows and locks, A/C, and eight-speaker sound system with USB/AUX input jacks, Bluetooth connectivity, leatherette seating, 17-inch alloy wheels and cruise control.
The sportier Beetle, the Turbo model, gets all the features of the 2.5L while adding 18-inch “twister” alloy wheels, a locking front differential called XDS that improves high-speed traction, sports seats, faux-aluminum pedals and a rear spoiler.
Optional features, which can be bundled together in various packages depending on the model, include a panoramic sunroof, a Fender premium audio system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a keyless entry system, a multi-function trip computer, a touchscreen navigation system, leather seating and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
TDI Standard and Optional Features
Three trim levels will be on offer when the diesel Beetle hits the market this summer as a 2013 model: TDI, TDI with sunroof and TDI with sunroof, sound and navigation. As the names imply, each trim builds upon the last, although all come standard with V-Tex leatherette, a secondary glove box, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start and iPod integration for the audio system. Sunroof models add a large panoramic moonroof and an upraded audio system with a CD changer and an SD card reader. The range-topping model adds navigation and a 400-watt Fender/Panasonic audio system.
Safety
All Beetles come equipped with dual front airbags and combination side/curtain airbags. Other safety systems include traction and stability control systems as well as an Intelligent Crash Response System that automatically unlocks the doors, disconnects the battery terminal from the alternator cable, shuts off the fuel supply and turns on the warning hazards and interior lights in the event of a collision.
Key Competitors
The burgeoning small coupe segment offers no shortage of fun and fuel-efficient alternatives to Beetle. These include the 40-mpg Hyundai Veloster, the Scion tC, the FIAT 500, the Honda CR-Z as well as the sports car of the group, the MINI Cooper.
Similar Cars
left-
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
-
2013 SRT Viper
-
2012 Nissan Altima Coupe
-
2012 Volkswagen Beetle
-
2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
-
2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
-
2011 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
-
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO
-
2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge
-
2012 Aston Martin One-77
-
2012 Audi A5
-
2012 Audi TT
-
2011 Gumpert Apollo
-
2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni
-
2012 Lotus Evora
-
2013 Lotus Exige S
-
2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe
-
2012 Noble M600
-
2012 Lotus Evora S
-
2012 McLaren MP4-12C
-
2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
-
2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe
-
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series
-
2012 Pagani Huayra
-
2012 Mastretta MXT
-
2012 Koenigsegg Agera
-
2012 Koenigsegg Agera R
-
2013 Scion FR-S
-
2012 SSC Tuatara
-
- General
- Body Style: Coupe
- Size: Sub-Compact
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 2939 lbs
-
- Exterior
- Length: 168.4 in.
- Width: 71.2 in.
- Height: 58.5 in.
- Wheelbase: 99.9 in.
- Ground Clearance: 5.7 in.
- Front Track: 62.2 in.
- Rear Track: 60.9 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: 0.37
-
- Interior - General
- Seats: 4
- Passenger Volume: 85.1 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 15.4 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): 29.9 cu. ft.
-
- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: 52.075 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 41.3 in.
- Head Room: 39.4 in.
- Shoulder Room: 55.3 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: 33.034 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 31.4 in.
- Head Room: 37.1 in.
- Shoulder Room: 49.0 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 2.5L I5
- Power: 170 hp @ 5700 rpm
- Torque: 177 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 28 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 20 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
-
- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam
-
- Wheels
- Front: 17" Aluminum
- Front Tires: 215/55 R17 H
- Rear: 17" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: 215/55 R17 H
-
- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
-
$0
Step 1 - Trim
-
$0
Step 2 - Options
-
Step 3 - Get a Local Quote
