VW stages global launch for third generation of Beetle; for the US, two gasoline and one diesel engines
19 April 2011
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| World Premiere of the new Volkswagen Beetle, Berlin. Click to enlarge. |
Volkswagen staged the global debut of the third generation of its iconic Beetle simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York. The 2012 Beetle offered in the US provides a choice of three engines: the 2.5L gasoline five cylinder; the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel; and the 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline engine.
In markets such as Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Beetle will be offered exclusively with charged engines. All engine versions—all of them with four cylinders—are being used for the first time in this model series. The car exhibits significantly reduced fuel consumption and emission values compared to the previous model thanks to the switch to turbo-gasoline (TSI) and common rail turbodiesel direct injection engines (TDI). (TDI engines are not offered in China.)
Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic on 2.5L models. Volkswagen’s DSG 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered on the TDI Clean Diesel and 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline models, while a 6-speed manual will come standard.
The four cylinder 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine produces 140 hp (104 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 N·m) of torque. It meets all US emission limits and offers manufacturer estimates of 40 mpg highway, 29 mpg city, and 33 mpg combined.
Fuel economy values are also improved up to 10% over prior 2.5L five cylinder engine models. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The optional 6-speed automatic offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. The five cylinder engine produces 170 hp (127 kW) and 177 lb-ft (240 N·m) of torque.
The Beetle 2.0L TSI is the sportiest model offered. With 200 hp (149 kW) and 207 lb-ft (281 N·m) of torque, the four cylinder turbo engine is estimated to provide 30 mpg highway fuel economy. To ensure that power is applied properly in challenging conditions, the 2.0L TSI model features the XDS cross differential (limited-slip) system. The system electronically monitors input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage, transfers extra torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction.
World engines. The three charged gasoline engines of the Beetle output 77 kW / 105 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The two diesel engines develop 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS . All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.
The most fuel-efficient gasoline engined model is the Beetle 1.2 TSI with BlueMotion Technology (including Stop/Start system and battery regeneration) and 105 PS with a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). It has a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km (43 mpg US), with 129 g/km CO2. The comparable previous model (75 kW / 102 PS) consumed 7.5 l/100 km (31 mpg US), representing a savings of 2.0 l/100 km or 27%.
The Beetle 1.6 TDI with 105 PS offers fuel consumption of 4.3 l/100 km (55 mpg US), equivalent to 112 g/km CO2)—the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever built with BlueMotion Technology. Its fuel consumption is 20% lower than even the existing TDI engines. The new Beetle 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology can reach a top speed of 180 km/h.
The higher performance TDI with 2.0 liter displacement and 103 kW / 140 PS offers 320 N·m 9(123 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 rpm and has a top speed of 198 km/h (123 mph). Combined fuel consumption is 4.9 l/100 km (48 mpg US), equivalent to 129 g/km CO2.
The 225 km/h (140 mph) Beetle 2.0 TSI with 200 PS of power consumes 7.4 l/100 km (32 mpg US), equivalent to 173 g/km CO2 with a manual transmission. The 1.4 TSI with 160 PS shifted by a 7-speed DSG consumes 5.9 l/100 km (40 mpg US, 139 g/km CO2). By comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 PS attained a value of 8.9 l/100 km (26 mpg US) in the automatic version. Despite 10 PS more power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0 l/100 km or 34%.
This is a very fast Beetle.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 April 2011 at 09:30 AM
but why do the diesels have to be 7000 dollars more than the gas model havent done the math but it will take quite awhite to pay it back
Posted by: ds | 19 April 2011 at 11:03 AM
This is a very fast Beetle.
Not as fast as mine. 2005 PD Beetle TDI 150. I get better mpg's too.
Posted by: JosephT | 19 April 2011 at 01:35 PM