Volkswagen is readying the new 2012 Beetle Cabriolet – and the convertible Bug will stick with a cloth roof, these spy photos suggest.
Our scoop photographers caught the new cabrio on test in southern Europe, with only the mildest of disguise around the headlamps to hide what’s new. It seems to adopt some of the look of the 2005 Ragster concept.
VW Beetle Cabriolet (2012): a fabric roof
There’s little point messing with a formula that works – besides, there’s little space to package a folding hard top in the Beetle cabriolet.
So a soft top it is. Expect to see the new Beetle Cabriolet in summer 2012, although first UK deliveries won’t commence until some time after that.
The cabrio has proved successful in the UK, accounting for half of all Beetle sales here in 2009 and 2010.
How much will the new Bug convertible cost?
No official word yet, but the outgoing cabrio was priced from £16,595 in the UK for a 1.4 Luna, climbing close to £23k for a 1.8 turbo.
Considering that the previous model, the ‘new’ Beetle, hails from 1998, you can expect the 2012 Bug to make a step change forward in dynamics, technology and quality.
All the engines for the European Beetle are turbocharged four-cylinders:
• 103bhp 1.2 TSI petrol
• 158bhp 1.4 TSI petrol
• 197bhp 2.0 TSI petrol
• 103bhp 1.6 TDI diesel
• 138bhp 2.0 TDI diesel
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