Coupled to each of their new engines will be two transmission choices: a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic with manual mode offered on the 2.5L model as well as a 6-speed manual or an available 6-speed DSG dual-clutch system on the 2.0L TSI. The options seem endless and like they’ll suit many, if not all, buyers.
Three trim levels will also be available come their October 9th delivery date; Comfortline, Highline and Sportline. Each model offers different options and comfort levels. And while the Comfortline and Highline are similar, it’s the Sportline that’s really different; it’s the only one that offers the turbo engine.
As this launch is kind of a big deal for VW, they decided to make it even more special by offering two special-edition Beetles to the first 600 buyers across Canada. These models, the Premiere and Premiere+, will only be available with the 2.5L engines and the automatic. Only a few colour options are available, and while it might seem like a bit of a limiting swizz, the fact that you’d own one of only 600 of these “special” models is enough to attract some buyers.
The base Beetle Comfortline will start at $21,975, while the Sportline I drove will cost $29,025 before adding $1,400 for the DSG gearbox. The Premiere edition will be offered from $24,475.
For our drive through the country roads surrounding Berlin and the Autobahn (of course), I slipped behind the wheel of a turbo’ed Sportline Beetle with the automatic DSG transmission. As soon as I took hold of the GTI-inspired steering wheel, the Beetle felt good. Sharp steering and a well-balanced frame handled the twisty, forest-lined German roads perfectly. Manu-mode was also quick to respond and the Beetle was eager to downshift, giving me the power I needed to pass slower drivers with ease. Turbo lag was nearly imperceptible, as was the fact that there was actually a turbo under the hood.
The newly-redesigned dash is well-appointed and easy to manipulate, however the touchscreen system is a bit slow to respond and can be frustrating when you’re trying to drive and adjust something. The gauge cluster is probably the most attractive.
And while VW mercifully got rid of the flower vase near the steering wheel (one of their new ads reads: “The horses ate the flowers”), you can still spice up the inside by colour-coordinating your dash inserts with the exterior colour of your Bug. So, yellow? You got it. Red? For sure. Blue? Bring it. My Sportline model featured the model line’s carbon-fibre inserts (thankfully).
Three trim levels will also be available come their October 9th delivery date; Comfortline, Highline and Sportline. Each model offers different options and comfort levels. And while the Comfortline and Highline are similar, it’s the Sportline that’s really different; it’s the only one that offers the turbo engine.
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| Three trim levels will also be available come their October 9th delivery date; Comfortline, Highline and Sportline. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone/Auto123.com) |
As this launch is kind of a big deal for VW, they decided to make it even more special by offering two special-edition Beetles to the first 600 buyers across Canada. These models, the Premiere and Premiere+, will only be available with the 2.5L engines and the automatic. Only a few colour options are available, and while it might seem like a bit of a limiting swizz, the fact that you’d own one of only 600 of these “special” models is enough to attract some buyers.
The base Beetle Comfortline will start at $21,975, while the Sportline I drove will cost $29,025 before adding $1,400 for the DSG gearbox. The Premiere edition will be offered from $24,475.
For our drive through the country roads surrounding Berlin and the Autobahn (of course), I slipped behind the wheel of a turbo’ed Sportline Beetle with the automatic DSG transmission. As soon as I took hold of the GTI-inspired steering wheel, the Beetle felt good. Sharp steering and a well-balanced frame handled the twisty, forest-lined German roads perfectly. Manu-mode was also quick to respond and the Beetle was eager to downshift, giving me the power I needed to pass slower drivers with ease. Turbo lag was nearly imperceptible, as was the fact that there was actually a turbo under the hood.
The newly-redesigned dash is well-appointed and easy to manipulate, however the touchscreen system is a bit slow to respond and can be frustrating when you’re trying to drive and adjust something. The gauge cluster is probably the most attractive.
And while VW mercifully got rid of the flower vase near the steering wheel (one of their new ads reads: “The horses ate the flowers”), you can still spice up the inside by colour-coordinating your dash inserts with the exterior colour of your Bug. So, yellow? You got it. Red? For sure. Blue? Bring it. My Sportline model featured the model line’s carbon-fibre inserts (thankfully).
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| The newly-redesigned dash is well-appointed and easy to manipulate. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone/Auto123.com) |