2004 VW New Beetle TDI Convertible Test Drive

The New Beetle Convertible continues to be leading contender for the title of best car for the fashionable city woman. It’s agile, it’s economical and it’s cute as hell. Based on the 4th generation Golf platform, its handling is on a par with the regular 2-door hatchback Golf. Which is to say, first rate. Three engines and three transmissions are available. Our choice is the latest 100hp 1.9L TDI diesel with the 6-spd Tiptronic automatic. MSRP: $17,630. Warranty, 4 years/50,000 miles.

First Glance

The New Beetle was introduced to North America in 2001. Its design retained a number of the most familiar styling cues from the old Beetle, including its rounded, june bug shape and even the hippy flower vase. It also maintained its fabled airtight doors. Anyone who's ever owned an Old Beetle will remember having to open the window a crack just so the doors could be closed without slamming. The funky shape, the flower vase, and the airtight doors are, however, about the only areas in which the New Beetle resembles its predecessor. Under the skin, this car is pure 4th generation Golf, Volkswagen's sophisticated, super-successful compact sedan. It has superb handling, powerful brakes and a functional, yet very comfortable interior with air conditioning and power everything. While the New Beetle is roomy inside, it’s unusually compact outside. In fact, it's one of the shortest cars available in North America. At only 161 inches in length, it's about the same length as a BMW Z4. Surprisingly (to me anyway) it's 8" shorter than DaimlerChrysler's PT Cruiser and even, for goodness sake, 2" shorter than the Toyota Echo sedan.

In the Driver's Seat

The convertible version of the New Beetle was introduced as a 2003 model. It is built in Wolfsburg on the same line as the Golf. True to its Teutonic roots, the interior of the New Beetle tends towards the no-nonsense. Blacks and grays are relieved somewhat by interesting alloy highlights. The seats are very supportive with easy-to-operate manual controls, which include height and seat cushion adjustments. The Convertible is available with everything you can think of including heated glass rear window, 10-speaker sound, electronic anti-skid protection (ESP) and even side-impact air bags. It’s also available with great looking 17" alloy wheels and fat 245/45R all-season tires. Fit and finish are superb. Over bumps and other road imperfections, the only noise that enters the cabin is a re-assuring "thunk" as the suspension absorbs another pothole. The multi-layered top is almost soundproof and, of course, completely watertight, which I can verify because it rained hard for most of the week I tested this car. The roof is raised and lowered by simply turning one handle and pushing one button. With the top up and its high beltline, some might find it a bit claustrophobic at first.

On the Road

This little sweetheart's a first-rate performer. The entire vehicle is very tight; when you hit railway tracks or potholes at speed, there is virtually no shimmying or shaking. Three engines are available, the familiar 2.0L 115hp; the rocket-like 180hp turbocharged 1.8T; and the new 1.9L TDI producing 100hp with 177lb-ft of torque, which is the engine we specified for this test. As regular readers have already discerned, I’m a huge believer in diesel engines for passenger cars. They have virtually taken over the passenger car market in all price categories in Western Europe. The diesel Beetle has perfectly satisfactory acceleration but because the diesel engine gets much of its push from torque, it can be slower getting away from the stoplight compared with, say, the 1.8T gasoline engine. But between 20 mph and 70 mph when you’re in optimal range for engine torque, the TDI will more than hold its own in the passing lane. Best thing is because it’s still relatively new, the convertible will attract lots of attention. And since it can be surprisingly expensive (especially when you start adding the options) you’re not likely to see yourself at every stoplight.

Journey's End

If you want tire-squealing acceleration and rocket-like passing at higher speeds, order the 1.8T gasoline engine. Personally, I find the TDI to be more in keeping with the traditional Beetle philosophy of, how shall I say… creative quirkiness. Be assured: VW is very serious about diesels. Over 80% of the engines VW will install in its 2005 passenger cars in Germany will be diesel. The company has already begun its marketing push in North America. It projects that by 2010, 20% of its passenger car sales will be oil burners. Sales in North America will be driven more by clean air legislation than high gas prices. While I like rubber-burning performance as much as the next fool, I also like an engine that minimizes the amount of crap I pump into the environment. Volkswagen’s TDI diesel engine gives me both great performance and ultra-low engine emissions. With the TDI diesel, I get it all - performance, engineering refinement and the new holy grail of the automobile world: environmental cachet. And no, madam, it doesn’t smell like or sound like your wierd neighbor’s 1976 Mercedes diesel. Actually, it sounds and smells more like his yuppy kid’s 2004 Audi 3.0 Cabriolet.