Vehicle Overview
Offered as a hatchback or a convertible, the retro-themed Volkswagen Beetle can have either of two gas engines or a diesel. The Beetle seats up to four people and competitors include the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500. A limited-edition Beetle GSR is available.
(Skip to details on the: Beetle R-Line, Beetle GSR)
New for 2014
The Beetle has a new turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder as its base engine. The engine makes 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. With the adoption of a turbocharged engine as the base powerplant, the Beetle Turbo is now known as the Beetle R-Line. All Beetle gas engines can now run on E15 fuel, and higher trim levels get a backup camera. Â
Volkswagen’s Car-Net communication system is available for the Beetle. It includes services like roadside assistance, crash notification and stolen vehicle location assistance as well as boundary and speed alerts, a vehicle health report and an enhanced point-of-interest service for vehicles with navigation. All Car-Net features can also be administered by a smartphone app.
Exterior Highlights
- Retro-influenced styling
- Wider and longer than the previous-generation Beetle
- Available 19-inch wheels
- Available panoramic moonroof
- Available rear spoiler
Interior Highlights
- Front bucket seats and a two-person backseat
- Split-folding backseat for cargo versatility
- Dual glove boxes
- Available oil temperature gauge, clock and boost gauge on the dashboard
- Available touch-screen CD stereo and navigation
- Available Fender premium stereo
- Available keyless access and push-button start
Under the Hood
- New base 170-hp, turbo 1.8-liter gas four-cylinder engine
- Available 140-hp, turbo-diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder
- Available 210-hp, turbo 2.0-liter gas four-cylinder
- Manual or automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Diesel version is clean enough to be sold anywhere in the U.S.
Safety Features
- Side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability systemÂ
- Available backup camera
Beetle R-Line
Available in hatchback or convertible form, the Beetle R-Line has a 210-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and unique styling cues.
- Unique 19-inch alloy wheels available
- More aggressive front bumper styling
- Rear diffuser
- R-Line badges
- Available bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED daytime running lights
- Metallic-type trim on the dashboard and doors
- Stainless-steel scuff plates
- Available leather upholstery
Beetle GSR
The Beetle GSR recalls one of the limited-edition Beetles of the past. It packs a 210-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, unique interior styling details and a yellow-and-black paint scheme reminiscent of the Beetle GSR from the 1970s. As with the original, production will be limited to 3,500 units; more than half are slated for the U.S.
- Wide black stripes run the length of the hood, and the roof and liftgate are painted black
- Side doors get GSR lettering and stripes
- Rear spoiler
- Low-profile tires fitted to 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Sport seats and steering wheel are finished in leather and have contrasting yellow stitching
- GSR gear selector
- Steering wheels of each GSR are numbered
