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2013 VW Beetle Convertible Launching With Three Special Editions

 
8 18,862 views May 24, 2012

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots
  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible spy shots

The newly redesigned Volkswagen Beetle relies on nostalgia for much of its appeal, so what better way is there to promote the new Beetle Convertible than with special editions that honor the car’s formative years?

Set to be launched at this fall’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Car and Driver is reporting the Beetle Convertible will be offered in “Fifties,” “Sixties” and “Seventies” trim, each an homage to the topless Beetles of the era. Sales are said to be planned for both the United States and European markets.

Volkswagen considers the cars “authentic recreations,” but with the benefit of a modern drivetrain and contemporary safety features. Each will sport period-correct upholstery (which those of us who grew up driving 1960s VW Beetles don’t necessarily see as a good thing), retro wheels (potentially with whitewall tires) and retro paint colors.


It's unknown if these special edition cars will come with a single drivetrain or offer buyers a choice of engines and transmissions, but we hope that Volkswagen will build them with a manual gearbox option. Driving a 1950s-era Volkswagen with an automatic transmission just seems wrong to us.

We can see the appeal of these cars, especially for those with prior vintage Beetle experience. Sure, the new Beetles are driven from the wrong end and feature heaters that actually work, but they’ll likely be familiar enough to wind up in more than a few garages. Think of them as the automotive equivalent of comfort food.





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Comments (8)

  1. fb_1181436538 avatar Paul Wilson Posted: 6/6/2012 9:38am PDT

    Will these features be available on ONLY the convertibles or also on sedans? My 70s bug was not a convertible, but I would sure like the wheels and color back.
     
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  2. Ernst avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 6/7/2012 2:49am PDT

    @Paul, for now it sounds like only the convertible will be offered in a retro theme. The wheels will likely be available accessories from VW, though.
     
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  3. sheltiegirl2@verizon.net avatar sheltiegirl2@verizon.net Posted: 7/19/2012 6:33pm PDT

    Could you please tell me when the 2013 Convertible Beetle will be available for purchase, I am in a HURRY! Can't wait!!!!
     
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  4. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 7/20/2012 8:50am PDT

    @sheltiegirl2, I've got a message in to Volkswagen for an update - I'll let you know what I hear.
     
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  5. sheltiegirl2@verizon.net avatar sheltiegirl2@verizon.net Posted: 7/21/2012 9:54pm PDT

    OMG!!!!! Thank you so much. Will be waiting to hear from you.
     
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  6. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 7/22/2012 9:09am PDT

    @sheltiegirl2, here's what Volkswagen had to say:

    "The first Beetle convertibles will arrive at the end of November, just about the same time we debut the car at the LA auto show. Dealers will continue to receive more cars through the official launch, which is the first week of February (2013). All engines will launch at the same time, 2.5L, 2.0 Turbo and 2.0 TDI. The special editions, 50s, 60s and 70s will be available at the beginning as well."

    Looks like you have another three and a half months before Beetle convertibles start showing up at dealerships.
     
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  7. sheltiegirl2@verizon.net avatar sheltiegirl2@verizon.net Posted: 7/22/2012 8:24pm PDT

    Thank you SOOOOOO much!!! I will be keeping my eyes wide open and purchase one as soon as I can!!!
    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
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  8. fb_1622298404 avatar Trent Charlton Posted: 9/2/2012 5:14am PDT

    We just bought our 2013 Beetle yesterday and love it! We were thinking about waiting for the retro models but decided to pass. I did see a model with the retro wheels and LOVED the, but just decided on the 18s non retro.
     
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