2013 VW Beetle convertible to get platform shared with Jetta, Golf
Open-top car goes on sale late this year
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- 2012 European Automakers: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volkswagen
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The convertible version of the Volkswagen Beetle gets a debut at the Los Angeles auto show in late November, shortly before the car goes on sale.
The launch of the 2013 VW Beetle convertible trails the arrival of the redesigned Beetle coupe by about a year. Both Beetles use VW's PQ35 front-drive platform that is shared with the current Jetta and Golf.
VW says the Beetle convertible's folding cloth top can be raised or lowered in about 10 seconds.
Safety equipment includes rollover bars concealed behind the back bench seat. If the car's safety system senses a crash, the rollover bars are deployed.
The 2013 VW Beetle convertible will be launched with three powertrain options:
• 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine, rated at 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. It will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
• 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine, rated at 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It can be mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. VW says the diesel with the manual transmission will get 41 mpg on the highway.
• 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rated at 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be mated to the six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The 2012 Los Angeles auto show is open to the public Nov. 30 through Dec. 9. Press preview days are scheduled for Nov. 28-29.
