Herbie, that loveable Volkswagen Beetle that starred in a series of Disney movies, was at least ostensibly a race car. The latest Beetle special edition from Volkswagen, the just-for-Spain Beetle Edition 53, on the other hand, is all sizzle and no steak. The Edition 53 package carries stripes, "53" numbers, and is expressly not available with the turbocharged engine; you know, the engine that would actually lend an air of raciness to the Beetle's performance.
There is some actual substance to the Edition 53 apart from its spiffy appearance. Standard wheels are 17-inchers, and gears can be swapped by a six-speed DSG. Tire pressure monitoring and Park Pilot parking assistance system are also part of the package. Prices range from 22,090 euros for the Beetle Edition 53 with 1.2 liter TSI four cylinder, and steps through 23,770 euros for a 1.6 liter TDI, 26,150 for a 2.0 liter TDI and the 2.0 TDI with 6-speed DSG will set you back 27,980 euros.
Why Spain is the only market to get this neo-Herbie is a question that hasn't been addressed, but maybe Volkswagen felt that the George Bruns theme music for the original 1968 movie had an "Espana, Verano de Amor" feel to it.
There is some actual substance to the Edition 53 apart from its spiffy appearance. Standard wheels are 17-inchers, and gears can be swapped by a six-speed DSG. Tire pressure monitoring and Park Pilot parking assistance system are also part of the package. Prices range from 22,090 euros for the Beetle Edition 53 with 1.2 liter TSI four cylinder, and steps through 23,770 euros for a 1.6 liter TDI, 26,150 for a 2.0 liter TDI and the 2.0 TDI with 6-speed DSG will set you back 27,980 euros.
Why Spain is the only market to get this neo-Herbie is a question that hasn't been addressed, but maybe Volkswagen felt that the George Bruns theme music for the original 1968 movie had an "Espana, Verano de Amor" feel to it.
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