2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Performance Review
Performance - What the Auto Press Says
Despite a sluggish engine, most reviewers enjoy the New Beetle's ride. MSN says, "The New Beetle is not as agile as a MINI Cooper, but its steering is fast, handling is good, braking is strong and the ride is firm but compliant."
Acceleration and Power
The 2008 New Beetle Convertible comes with a 2.5-liter 20-valve five-cylinder engine that delivers 150 horsepower. Fitted with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic, the convertible is not seen as a fast ride. It's considered competent, but also sluggish and lacking in oomph. Car and Driver reports that the engine has "awesome sluggishness," but adds that "the bug has managed to endear itself to us from the start." Auto writers from Edmunds say, "Although we wouldn't call it quick, it's far from slow." They add that the 2.5-liter engine "has plenty of torque and is exceptionally smooth, even at the 5,800-rpm redline."
Overall, The Auto Channel finds the Beetle's performance "good," calling the acceleration "smooth" and noting that it "got me up to speed and onto the freeway with time, speed and power to spare." Kelley Blue Book concludes that the New Beetle Convertible "delivers strong acceleration and good fuel economy, [and] a noticeable improvement over the previous 2.0-liter engine." Yet, Automobile Magazine finds the engine to be competent but lacking excitement and zip, saying: "The New Beetle has good throttle tip-in. Setting off from traffic lights, it feels quick. Now the bad news: It isn't." The Orlando Sentinel concludes that there are "smoother, more spirited engines in the VW inventory, and even with a hard-working six-speed automatic transmission, acceleration was tepid." The Beetle has an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway.
Handling and Braking
The New Beetle Convertible comes with independent front McPherson struts with stabilizer bar and independent track-correcting torsion beam rear axle with an integrated stabilizer bar. The Beetle also comes with Volkswagen's Electronic Stabilization Program, power-assisted rack and pinion steering and anti-lock power-assisted vented front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes. Reviewers are generally impressed with the convertible Beetle's sturdy ride and competent handling, especially compared to other convertibles.
The New Beetle Convertible provides a solid ride but doesn't deliver much sporty performance and isn't intended for fast cornering. The Auto Channel finds its handling "competent and sporty," but continues to say that the ride was a "bit harsh." In a comparison test drive with the MINI Cooper, Edmunds reports that the Beetle "rides smoothly on its oversized 17-inch tires, handles well and is a pleasure to drive with its top up or down." Reviewers continue to say that this VW "suffers from a lack of driver involvement" and is "more of a boulevard cruiser than the Mini." Car and Driver echoes those findings, mentioning, "On rough roads or the winding sort, you'll want to leave enough time to avoid hurries, as, like other entry-priced convertibles, this is not a corner bomber." However, they conclude that the New Beetle Convertible is "very competent as a budget convertible."
Reviewers also find the New Beetle Convertible's ride safe and secure. Automobile Magazine reports that the convertible's "safe, if stodgy, handling parameters will be familiar to all modern VW drivers." Consumer Guide goes on to say that the suspension is "firm, but comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by [the] hatchback's tight, solid structure." The New Beetle Convertible "[c]orners with grippy predictability," adds Consumer Guide, and has "strong, sure braking." Reviewers from Kelley Blue Book agree, adding that drivers will find the "steering and braking response to be first-rate, right in line with other fine-handling VW cars."
