Volkswagen has taken a can-opener to the Beetle, just as the nights draw in and the weather turns even less summery.
Still, the new 2012 VW Beetle Cabriolet is said to be improved over the old version, with a retro look that VW claims is the most akin to the 1940s original yet.
What’s different about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
The fabric roof still piles up on the rear bulkhead when retracted, but the new car arranges it in a flatter, neater stack, cutting down on the sun-eclipsing blindspot that the old Beetle soft-top used to suffer from.
The roof itself will also open and close while on the move, taking ten seconds to complete its origami party piece.
Inside the new Beetle Cabriolet, there’s more oddment storage to make up for the stowage space sacrificed to the roof mechanism.
The boot itself has a 225-litre capacity, down from 310 litres in the fixed-head VW Beetle. But since when did anyone buy a Beetle – especially the rag-top – for its practicality?
And under the bonnet of the new 2012 Beetle Cabriolet?
You can choose from seven engines, ranging from a 104bhp 1.2-litre petrol to a 197bhp 2.0-litre unit. A frugal Bluemotion version of the littlest engine will be available soon after the car’s launch.
Diesel duties are handled by a 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDi family, with 104bhp and 138bhp respectively.
Where are they launching the new Beetle soft-top?
The new Beetle Cabriolet will be seen for the first time (appropriately) in the sunshine state of California at the Los Angeles motor show from 28 November 2012. UK sales will kick off in spring 2013, with prices and full specs confirmed nearer the time.