The wraps have only just come off the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle but so far only the hard-top model has been revealed. However, as we saw with the previous generation ‘New Beetle’, sales of the convertible are just as important as those of the coupe and in some years were actually the higher of the two.
In fact, from 2003 to 2005, the New Beetle Convertible was the more popular choice, with sales managing to peak at 24,255 units in 2003, its first full year of sales.
Understandably, Volkswagen will be keen to launch the convertible version of its latest Beetle and thanks to information revealed at a first drive event of the hard-top, we can now reveal that it will come onto the market next spring as a 2013 model.
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible will once again feature an automated folding soft-top and should be priced only slightly higher than the hard-top, which lists from $19,765.
It turns out Volkswagen is also waiting until next spring to launch the diesel version of the latest Beetle, the Beetle TDI. This fuel friendly model will be offered in either coupe or convertible bodystyles and will come with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine rated at 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is a claimed 29/40 mpg city/highway.
Look out for the debut of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show this September, but in the meantime, click here for our first drive report of the coupe, which goes on sale in October.
Source: TheCarConnection
