If you build it, they will come… at least that’s what Volkswagen is hoping for with the reintroduction of a diesel engine to its curvaceous Beetle.
Volkswagen’s most fuel efficient modern Beetle, the 2013 Beetle TDI, has finally debuted at the Chicago auto show today. This new oil-burner is expected to be rated at 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
Those relatively high fuel economy figures come courtesy of VW’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower turbocharged direct injection diesel four-cylinder. Like other applications that use the engine – think Jetta and Passat – the Beetle is rated at 236 lb-ft. of torque. Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are available, the latter of which is VW’s DSG dual-clutch unit. Extensive emissions controls ensure that the Beetle TDI will be 50-state compliant.
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.
Three trim levels will be on offer when the 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 upgraded 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.
The Beetle TDI follows in the footsteps of its relatively long-lived predecessor, the New Beetle TDI. From 1998 to 2006, VW offered a considerably less powerful TDI diesel engine in its New Beetle for the North American market, but emissions demands and dwindling consumer interest spelled the end of the line for the model.
Live photos by Chris Doane.
