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| VOLKSWAGEN
NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE
Courtesy of VW Vortex Story by Jamie Vondruska |
New Beetle Convertible arriving
in Europe in the first quarter of 2003 Unique design and convertible fun for four people Safety system featuring automatically deploying rollover protection There is a bright start to 2003 in store for convertible drivers with the New Beetle Convertible due on the European market in the first quarter. Volkswagen's new model continues its tradition of four-seater open-air bestsellers. The New Beetle follows in the footsteps of two of the highest-selling cabrios in the world, the Golf Convertible and Beetle Convertible. Its design is absolutely distinct and symbolises status-free fun. The New Beetle Convertible is refreshing and progressive in the way it interprets the positive character of the classic Beetle Convertible which made history as the first classless Volkswagen. The new convertible's emotional values and technical features reflect open travel as an attitude to life in general. The concept of the New Beetle Convertible combining extremely high torsional rigidity with fully fledged rear seating, featuring a through loading facility, a rollover protection system that deploys automatically in an accident, the all-season top |
including heated glass
rear window and an optional six-speed automatic demonstrates how very
safe, comfortable and suitable for everyday use a lifestyle-oriented
vehicle can be. Special paint finishes developed for the New Beetle Convertible add a new splash of colour to everyday motoring. With Aquarius Blue, Mellow Yellow und Harvest Moon to list just a few, it is clear from the names alone that a positive and appealing character is an essential feature of this car. The New Beetle Convertible will be available in Germany with a choice of four engines - three petrol engines and one TDI - ranging in power output from 55 kW / 75 bhp to 85 kW / 115 bhp. The top engine can be combined with the new six-speed (Tiptronic) gearbox. The technical highlights of the convertible design are in the body engineering and the operation of the cloth-lined three-layered top. Just like the former Beetle Convertible, the open soft-top rests on the area of the imaginary C pillar. This design is deliberately reminiscent of the classic Beetle Convertible. However, when folded down the top lies much lower thanks to an elaborate folding system. The top is opened using an |
one-hand release
mechanism. It can then be put into its resting position. In the case of
the electrohydraulic system the convertible top opens and closes at the
press of a button, taking only 13 seconds each way. A luxury trim strip
traces the elegant unbroken line formed by the window lines and the
transition between the top and body.
The automatically deploying roll over protection has been harmoniously integrated into the silhouette of the open convertible. The system is located behind the rear seat back. A rollover and crash sensor detects when the car is in danger of rolling and triggers the protection system. When this happens two profiled supports spring out and together with the windscreen frame these protect the passenger compartment. The passive safety items, including effective front and side airbags and energy-absorbing side panels designed especially for the convertible, are combined with proven active safety equipment. In Germany the New Beetle Convertible is equipped with side airbags, ABS, and ESP as standard. |
All rights reserved. Copyright 2001. Volkswagen, Oettinger, ABT Sportsline, Projektzwo, ACDSee, VWVortex, Performance VW Mag
are all registered trademarks. Permission obtained from VW Vortex for articles used.
