Volkswagen has pushed up the power for the new half-model year. For 2013.5 (yep, this isn't a 2013 and it's not quite a 2014), the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine offered in the Beetle Turbo, Beetle Turbo Convertible and Jetta GLI now makes 210 horsepower, an increase of 10 ponies over the previous version of the long-running engine. Torque remains unchanged at 207 pound-feet. According to VW, the Beetle Turbo can accelerate from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, which is a .2-second improvement over the previous car. The Jetta GLI does the run to 60 in 6.7 seconds, according to the automaker. ... Read More

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Podcast: Autoblog Podcast #323 1362525600

Lamborghini Veneno, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar 3 Series challenger, Cheaper Corvette rumors Episode #323 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Michael Harley and Jeff Ross talk about the Lamborghini Veneno, Geneva Auto Show, a Jaguar 3 Series challenger and rumors of a lower-cost Corvette. We wrap with your questions and emails, and for ...
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Chicago: 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible gets the R-Line treatment 1360268040

Volkswagen just launched the topless Beetle Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but we're already seeing the next step forward in the topless Bug range with this, the R-Line. We'll admit, this treatment falls under the "all show and no go" category, but it's still a pretty potent little cutie. The R-Line starts with a standard Beetle ...
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Chicago: 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR is black and yellow, black and yellow 1360262640

Way back in 1973, Volkswagen decided it was high time to take the loveable air-cooled Bug racing. No, it wasn't painted in Herbie colors – Volkswagen called its sport-tuned machine the Beetle GSR, "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer." Hence, the somewhat shocking paint scheme. VW is bringing its sporty black and yellow Beetle back for ...
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Official: Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs 1360216860

Volkswagen has chosen to really expand its performance-tuned portfolio at this year's Chicago Auto Show, bringing along a couple of new Beetles destined for model year 2014, as well as a pair of freshened GTI packages that you'll be able to buy almost right away. The first, and splashiest of the Chicago goodies on the VW stand has got to be the 2014 ...
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Los Angeles: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Decade Editions evoke retro eras 1354233600

Volkswagen has introduced three special edition Beetle Convertible models to celebrate the droptop's launch. The vehicles are designed to evoke three distinct decades in American cultural history: the 1950s, the 1960s and the 1970s, says the automaker. The '50s Edition (front in the above image) is painted classic black and it arrives with a tan interior ...

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Official: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible makes first official appearance 1349301600

Volkswagen has pulled back the wraps on the 2013 Beetle Convertible ahead of the vehicle's debut at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The drophead makes use of the same flattened roof line of the 2012 Beetle Coupe when the folding soft top is in place. Stow the roof, and the mechanism lays flat to increase rear visibility. Volkswagen says the roof can go ...
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Official: Volkswagen Beetle Fender Edition debuting at Leipzig Auto Show 1338499800

Volkswagen's partnership with Fender – one of the world's leading musical instrument companies, best known for its rockin' guitars – officially kicked off in the United States with the debut of a new premium sound system in the Jetta GLI. In Europe, however, the automaker's reworked Beetle is the first car to have this high-end audio kit, and ...
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Report: Volkswagen to launch new Beetle convertible with three decade editions 1337898720

Say what you will about the whole retro design trend that gave us such vehicles as the Mini, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Ford GT and the Fiat 500, but it has been (neo Thunderbird notwithstanding) a rather successful formula for several automakers, Volkswagen chief among them. The German automaker is now on its third generation of Beetle, and is ...
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Report: Volkswagen to offer Fender edition Beetle 1336860240

Volkswagen worked with Fender, its stereo partner, to put together the concept Beetle shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept had an iPod dock set into amp-like mesh, a tube amp, sunburst-patterened wood trim and a trunk-mounted sub you could plug your guitar into. Car and Driver reports that a production version is coming, perhaps before ...
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Beijing: Volkswagen E-Bugster concept lowers its lid in Beijing 1335194940

Back in January at the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled a concept car called the E-Bugster. A chopped-down, electric-powered Beetle roadster, the E-Bugster cut a lean, mean, green profile. The only thing that was missing, ironically, was a chance to see the convertible with its top off. If you're going to make a roadster, at least have the courtesy ...