The New Beetle Convertible has charm, iconic exterior style and a solid ride, all within a competitive price range for its class. The Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible is a cute, retro-styled and able ride, with a recognizable shape and a convertible top for added fun.
The New Beetle Convertible is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I5, 150-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway with a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
2009 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE:
UNDENIABLY FUN, UNMISTAKEABLY VOLKSWAGEN
HERNDON, Va. — The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible continue their combined mission as iconic cars designed and engineered to stir the passions of those who love the heritage and pure fun of Volkswagen.
Each offered in a single trim level, the latest version of the New Beetle and New
Beetle convertible come with a very affordable starting price of $17,990 for the hardtop and $25,590 (automatic only) for the drop top.
Highlights
• Standard equipped ESP
• Standard six-speaker premium CD radio with MP3 format capability
• Auxiliary jacks for personal device (e.g., iPod) connectivity and Sirius® Satellite Radio with three-month complimentary subscription
• 2.5L, in-line, five-cylinder gasoline engine
• Standard Cold Weather package
Comfort, Convenience, Infotainment Features
For four-season fun, the New Beetle convertible features a three-layer cloth top
with a heated glass rear window. An extra window switch on convertible models allows
the driver to lower and raise all of the side windows simultaneously.
The modern top helps keep road noise out in the “up” or closed position.
Lowering the top is easy, and it fits neatly behind the rear seat in original Beetle
fashion. The soft-top also includes a semi-automatic power roof and a wind blocker
as options.
Both models come standard with an ample host of appointments, including V-Tex
leatherette seat trim; leather brake handle and shifter knob; heated front seats; chrome
accents throughout; telescoping three-spoke padded steering wheel; Easy Entry System
front seats for rear passenger entry; and one-touch up/down automatic windows (driver
and passenger) with pinch protection.
Audiophiles will find the new Beetle offerings to their liking as well, with a
standard -six speaker premium CD radio with MP3 format capability on the convertible
and six-speaker system on the hardtop. Both carry auxiliary jacks for personal device
(e.g., iPod) connectivity and Sirius® Satellite Radio with three-month complimentary
subscription.
Engine and Transmission
The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertibles come equipped with
Volkswagen's rock-solid and advanced 2.5L, in-line, five-cylinder gasoline engine. The
2.5L engine delivers 150 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3750 rpm.
With four valves per cylinder, aluminum alloy cross flow heads and double
overhead camshafts, the engine is strong, quiet, and efficient. Hydraulic lifters are
maintenance-free. Digital electronic ignition and Motronic sequential multi-point fuel
injection enable the engine to operate on regular unleaded gasoline.
Power is delivered to the front wheels with two types of transmissions. A five-speed
manual transmission operates smoothly with a hydraulic clutch. An available six-speed
transmission with Tiptronic® allows for both automatic and driver-selected gear
changes using the gear selector. The convertible is automatic only.
The 2009 New Beetle convertible with automatic transmission achieves an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of up to 29 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in city driving.
With a manual transmission, the New Beetle EPA estimates are 28 mpg highway and 20
in the city — automatic EPA estimates are 29 mpg highway and 20 in the city.
Chassis and Suspension
Independent front McPherson struts, a torsion beam rear axle and front and
rear stabilizer bars combine for a comfortable ride with solid cornering stability.
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering with a 15.6:1 steering ratio ensures the
responsiveness expected of an authentic German-tuned offering and four-wheel discbrakes (288- x 25-mm vented front, 232- x 9-mm solid rear) delivers all the stopping
power needed.
State-of-the-art chassis controls are abundant on the New Beetle and New Beetle
convertible to ensure outstanding vehicle dynamics. The front-drive compacts are
standard equipped with the latest three-channel version Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
and advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) with brake assist and traction
control including Anti-Slip Regulation.
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also standard as well.
Exterior
The New Beetle convertible is available in Black, Candy White, Gecko Green,
Salsa Red, Harvest Moon, Sunflower Yellow and Heaven Blue Metallic. The hardtop
expands the color palette to include Platinum Gray and Reflex Silver. Sixteen-inch alloy
“Mali”-designed wheels are standard on all New Beetle offerings, and the convertible
offers 17-inch alloy “Versus” wheels as an option.
Active and Passive Safety
Like all Volkswagens, the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible include the
Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of more than 45 safety features. As
standard equipment, the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible include — but are not
limited to -- dual front airbags; dual front side head/thorax airbags; emergency locking
retractors in all seating positions; front safety belts with pretensioners and load limiters;
and three-point safety belts in all five seating positions (two front, three rear) with
emergency locking retractors.
The New Beetle convertible also includes an Active Rollover Support™ system
that “pops up” two spring-loaded aluminum posts in 0.25 seconds from behind the rear
seat headrests.
The New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, like all 2009 Volkswagens, come
standard equipped with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). This is important
because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported
that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment
manufacturers to provide an electronic stability control system on its entire product lineas standard equipment — ahead of the NHTSA deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012
model year to include stability control systems. ESP compares the driver's intended
course with the vehicle's actual direction; if ESP detects a discrepancy, ESP
automatically brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as
needed in certain driving circumstances to help maintain directional control.
Warranty
The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible come with 24-hour Roadside
Assistance for four years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first), plus new vehicle
warranties including:
• Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty.
• Three-year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty
with wear and tear items and adjustments.
• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation.
The New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, like all 2009 model year
Volkswagens, are included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this
program all of the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible's scheduled maintenance, as
described in the maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle
Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Since all current
Volkswagens, including New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, use synthetic oil,
combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, a 5,000 mile oil change is no longer
necessary. This means that like all current Volkswagen owners, New Beetle and New
Beetle convertible drivers can drive farther between oil changes.