In spite of rumors it’s going out of production soon, the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible will be on the display stand at the LA Auto Show this year with a new powertrain, new trims, and new options.
The current generation Volkswagen Beetle has been with us since the 2011 model year with only minor changes. Volkswagen has however offered over the years many detail and trim variations and a number of powertrains from mild to wild.
Entering what could be its last production years, the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible get a new engine and transmission under its hood, a single and solitary offering for North America. Gone is the base 1.8-liter turbocharged four, now replaced by a larger 2.0-liter version.
Coming only with an automatic transmission with no manual offered, the enhanced version of the 2.0-liter direct-injected engine offers 174 horsepower and 184 pound feet of torque. It’s a slight bump from last year’s 1.8-liter standard engine.
Depending on the model you choose it offers fuel economy marks as high as 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The high-performance version of the 2.0 liter engine and R-Line trim is no longer offered.
Trim grades are simple, starting with the Beetle S, S with Style & Comfort package, Beetle SE and top of the line Dune. There is also a new special edition called Coast available in both the coupe and convertible that themes off the California surf lifestyle.
Based on the S, the Beetle Coast comes in a full variety of colors but also a new shade called Deep Sea Teal that you see here. The exterior is classic with “Whirl” retro styled 16-inch alloy wheels and can be had with the Lighting Package which ads Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED tails.
The interior gets a special light and dark theme with surfboard wood-look applique across the dash. Seats are two-tone cloth with a center insert pattern called “Pepita” houndstooth. Monster mats keep the sand off your carpet and special scuff plates complete the look. Coupes come with a sunroof and the convertible, well its top is one.
The other big news for 2018 for all Volkswagens in addition to the Beetle and Beetle convertible is the new “People First Warranty”. Now at six years and 72,000 miles for full bumper-to-bumper coverage, Volkswagen offers the longest coverage as such among its peers.
Pricing for the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle starts at $20,220. Pricing for the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible starts at $25,440. Pricing for all trim grades including the new Coast Edition can be seen on your screen.
We hope to bring you a test drive soon with the new powertrain to give you an idea of what it’s like. It’s sad the 200+ horsepower R-Line is gone, but it’s a sign of the times for post TDI Volkswagen.
