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. Those worried about economy will be pleased to know that the increase in performance extends to the pump – VW claims increases of four to eight percent in city and combined fuel economy.
The Beetle Turbo is fitted with new R Line bumpers for 2013.5; a separate R Line package that includes the new bumpers, a diffuser at the rear, 19-inch Tornado wheels and badging inside and out will start at $30,135. Meanwhile, the Jetta GLI gets LED taillamps, and the automaker isn’t mentioning any increase in price. Want to know more? Click on the lone image above to enlarge, then scroll down below for the press release.
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– New EA888 Gen 3 engine, produced in Silao, Mexico, makes its U.S. debut
– Engine offers 10 hp increase over previous Gen 2 powerplant
– Beetle models have a manufacturer estimated fuel economy improvement of up to eight percent on the combined cycle
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TURBO AND JETTA GLI RECEIVE POWER BOOST
The 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI® engine in the 2013 Beetle Turbo, Beetle Turbo Convertible, and Jetta GLI is now rated at 210 horsepower
– Beetle R-Line® coupe will be priced from $30,135 with the six-speed manual transmission
Herndon, VA – The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo, Beetle Turbo Convertible, and the Jetta GLI
receive a number of running changes to 2013 model year cars that go on sale this month. The
most notable of these is fitment of a new version of the award-winning EA888 2.0-liter
turbocharged and direct-injected TSI® engine. This is being produced in a new factory in
Silao, Mexico, that is part of Volkswagen’s ongoing $5 billion investment in the North
American market.
The new engine makes 210 horsepower, an increase of 10 hp over the previous Gen 2 TSI
engine. Peak power is generated 200 revs higher in the engine range, at 5300 rpm, and
torque remains unchanged at 207 pound-feet. Thus equipped, the Beetle Turbo coupe takes
6.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, 0.2 seconds less than the previous version: At
6.7 seconds, the Jetta GLI is a tenth faster with the manual transmission and two tenths
quicker with the DSG® dual-clutch automatic than the cars equipped with the Gen 2 engine.
As well as providing more performance, the new engine also gives a manufacturer-estimated
improvement in fuel efficiency for the Beetle models of between four and eight percent on the
combined cycle and by up to nine percent on the city cycle.
The EA888 Gen 3 engine is designed to be lighter and more fuel efficient than the unit it
replaces. Engine weight has been reduced by eight pounds, to 290 pounds overall. Among the
improvements on this engine are: a thinwall crankcase casting; exhaust headers that are
integrated into the cylinder head; smaller diameter main bearings; roller bearings for the twin
balancer shafts; and a crankshaft that has four counterweights instead of eight.
As well as getting the new engine, the Beetle Turbo and Beetle Turbo Convertible both receive
new R-Line bumpers; these feature grained black surfaces and chrome-framed turn signals at
the front and a diffuser at the rear. The Jetta GLI is also upgraded with LED taillights on all
three trims.
The Beetle Turbo R-Line model, which is also fitted with the new 210-hp engine, appears in
dealerships at the same time, replacing the Beetle Turbo with Sunroof, Sound, and
Navigation. Externally, the R-Line model is differentiated by the more aggressive front and rear
bumpers, 19-inch “Tornado” aluminum-alloy wheels, R-Line badging, and Bi-Xenon headlights
with LED DRLs.
Inside, the R-Line model features custom stainless-steel kickplates, a steering wheel badge,
and a unique “chrome vanadium” dashboard panel. The base price for the Beetle Turbo R-
Line will be $30,135 when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of
America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen
AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include
research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales,
marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing
facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest
producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle
Convertible, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg,
and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.
Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.