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The front-wheel-drive Beetle Convertible comes equipped with three engine choices, each sporting unique performance qualities: a somewhat perky 2.5-liter inline-five, a robust turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder, and a highly efficient 2-liter TDI turbocharged diesel. At just about 3,200 pounds, the Beetle isn't light enough that the 2.5-liter’s 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque will set any hearts aflutter.
The turbo 2-liter outpaces the base engine's numbers, an engine choice designed to appeal to the male buying group on which VW is banking. Each automatic-equipped Beetle has an 'S' mode that holds rpms higher to give the driver more immediate throttle response, and of all the group, the Turbo makes the most use of this mode. Its 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque are sent to the wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission (also available on the TDI) or VW's DSG automated manual (available in all trims). One of the best on the market, VW's dual-clutch automatic prepares gears with one clutch while another clutch is operating the lower gear, making for near-seamless shift transitions.
For the more fuel-conscious, the TDI -- with 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque--is a solid bet. This ain't your dad’s diesel car; the diesel engine is whisper-quiet as it pushes through an impressive amount of torque, and it rakes in solid fuel economy numbers: 28 mpg city and 41 mpg highway for the manual and 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway for the automatic.
All Beetles come with Bluetooth connectivity, a trip computer, an auxiliary input jack, and an integrated previous-generation iPod cable located in the glove box. VW offers an additional USB port connector, but it's a little disappointing that a separate USB port isn't standard. Still, hooking up a music device is simple and the knob-plus-touch-screen configuration makes it easy to scroll through music selections.
