Volkswagen wants to be the #1 Automaker in the world, but to do that they’re going to have to sell a lot of cars. To be honest, there aren’t many cars in their lineup that catch my eye…but the new, more masculine Beetle has me seriously reconsidering how I look at Volkswagen. Now with the announcement that VDub will be bringing a TDI version of the Beetle to the Chicago Auto Show next week, the 2013 Beetle just got a whole lot more appealing to this guy.
Unlike many American automakers who are shying away from diesel cars, Volkswagen has embraced them, even earning a nomination (though not a trophy) for its Passat TDI. The 2013 VW Beetle has bolder looks and more masculine styling that appeals to people like, well, me. And I never thought I’d say that about a Bug.
What is even more appealing though is VW’s promise of 39 mpg highway (29 city) from a 2.0 liter TDI engine. That is about par for course for other non-diesel compact cars, but what sets the 2013 Beetle TDI apart is torque. 236 ft-lbs of torque, in fact, and 140 horsepower available through either a dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Music to my freakin’ ears.
The 29/39 rating is also about a 25% increase over the petrol-powered versions of the Beetle, which average around 22/30 mpg. And with all that torque on tap, the 2013 Beetle TDI is just begging for a biodiesel conversion into a badass Bug race car. Price will be important, of course, and with the current Beetle starting at $18,995, it could be difficult to keep a TDI Beetle in the “cheap” price range.
If VW can knock the Beetle TDI out of the park, it may convince other automakers that there is indeed a market for performance diesel coupes here in America. Outside of just your humble writer, of course. Tune in next week when two of our intrepid writers, Jo Borras and Charis Michelsen, take on the Chicago Auto Show in person. And if Charis can pull Jo away from the NSX hybrid long enough, he may even have time to cover the TDI Beetle!
Source: Volkswagen
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About Christopher DeMorro
No plug, no sale….
MrEnergyCzar
Can’t wait. Our ’99 diesel Bug routinely gets 48 mpg all the time. 2113 model is a little heavier and has a bit more horsepower, but I expect to break 45 mpg. Don’t understand the unrealistically low EPA numbers except that the guvamint is doing everything they can to discourage us from buying diesels. Witness the Tier 2 bin 5 emission standards that are weighted against diesels.
Right. I don’t get it. I have two TDIs (2002, 20010), and average 50/42 mpg respectively. But talk to someone on the street about diesel, and they go “Aren’t they dirty?” Do you have any power? I dont’ get it, other than Detroit’s obseesion with gasoline cars–and government endorsement of overpriced, unreliable, unrealistic “electric” cars.
The TDi VDubs are great … we just need someone willing to turn up the boost.
I have had three deisel Golfs over the years and my current is a 2010 Golf TDI and in warmer weather I frequently obtain 5.0 to 5.5 liters /100 kms (50-56 MPG) Thats imperial Gallons. If you could only wake the Hybid stooges up that drive them for highway use. I have yet to see a editorial in a magazine or newspaper were the tester gets the advertised EPA of any Hybrid tested. I guess you have to drive them ultra concervatively or with a tail wind. They can get the figure if they stay in the city maybe but don,t drive it on the highway or heaven forbid speed. Deisels love highway driving and even love to pull a trailer along. Try that with your gutless PRIUS footed walkers.
Thanks Paul.