LA MOTOR SHOW: West coast debut for Volkswagen Beetle cabrio

Volkswagen is set to bolster its second-gen New Beetle range by unveiling a convertible version at November’s Los Angeles motor show.

Although no images have as yet been released, the company did provide an indication of how the drop-top will look via the E-Bugster concept (pictured) that debuted at this year’s Detroit motor show.

That said, expect the Beetle convertible to be much tamer in execution than the radical E-Bugster, which featured a chop-top (90mm lower) roofline, 20-inch rims and pumped guards.

In terms of hard information, all Volkswagen (of America) is saying for now is that the drop-top will be offered with three different engines in the U.S., including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine.

The petrol powertrain options for the US will comprise the VW Group’s ageing
2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, along with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo that propels the Golf GTI.

According to some media sources, the Beetle cabrio will trade on its retro appeal by being offered in “Fifties”, “Sixties” or “Seventies” trim, with each of these featuring upholstery, paint colours and details unique to that specific era.

However, Australian buyers will need to be patient, as the drop-top Beetle isn’t due here until mid or late 2013 as it will be preceded by the Beetle coupe range that lands here early next year.

The first-generation New Beetle, which launched here in 2000, generated much interest in its initial years, but hasn’t been able to sustain its sales momentum in the way that BMW’s New MINI has.

Regular refreshes and a clever model proliferation strategy has enabled the MINI to clock up 1170 Australian sales during the first six months of this year, while the Beetle found only 199 buyers during the whole of 2011 (the outgoing model’s last year on the market).

However, the Beetle is still a key rung in the marque’s lineup, with VW Group Australia managing director Anke Koeckler saying the new-gen car will spearhead its “emotional” model launch program in 2013.

Also in the VW product pipeline over the next 12 months are the pint-sized Up and seventh-generation Golf.

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