VW News: Volkswagen Announces Pricing For 2013 Jetta Hybrid and Shows The New Beetle Convertible

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

October 3, 2012

Volkswagen made some big announcements today concerning a new model that will be premiering at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and pricing for another model.

We'll start with the new model first.

Volkswagen revealed the new Beetle convertible a month ahead of its official unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show. The soft-top has a similar roofline to the normal Beetle when its up. Want to put the top down, it will only take about ten seconds. Also, Volkswagen engineered a system that will pop two computer-actuated bars behind the rear seat within four milliseconds in the event of a rollover.

The engine lineup will be the same as the Beetle, which includes,

• 2.5L five-cylinder (170 HP, 177 lb-ft of torque)
  
• 2.0L turbo-four (200 HP, 207 lb-ft of torque)
  
• 2.0L turbodiesel (140 HP, 235 lb-ft of torque)
  

The 2.5L can be equipped with a six-speed automatic, while the 2.0L Turbo and diesel can be equipped with a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch transmission.

Next: Jetta Hybrid Pricing

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Also today, Volkswagen announced pricing for the new Jetta Hybrid. The hybrid comes equipped with a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.4L four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. Total output is 170 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque going through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Stats for the hybrid are 0-60 in nine seconds and estimated fuel economy of 45 MPG.

A base Jetta Hybrid will run you $25,790 (includes a $795 destination charge) and it will include 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows, automatic climate control, power windows, a CD player with Bluetooth and an auxiliary port, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. One caveat with the base Jetta Hybrid, its a special order model only.

The rest of the lineup follows,

• Jetta Hybrid SE ($27,785): LED taillights, power recline front seats, Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod® cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, and keyless access with push-button start
  
• Jetta Hybrid SEL ($30,120): 16-inch alloy wheels, power tilt and slide sunroof, RNS 315 radio and navigation, heated front washer nozzles, heated front seats, and a six-way power driver’s seat.
  
• Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium ($31,975): Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Active Front-Lighting System (AFS), foglights with cornering light, 17-inch alloy wheels, the Fender® Premium Audio System with subwoofer, and a rearview camera.
  

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Releases are on Page 3 and 4

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VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

Volkswagen reveals images of the latest version of its iconic convertible ahead of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Herndon, VA, Oct 3, 2012 - Today, Volkswagen unveils the latest Beetle Convertible, the third-generation of the iconic VW ragtop. Like its predecessors—the type 15 from 1949 and the 2003 New Beetle Convertible—the curvaceous convertible offers the perfect combination of practicality and fun for four.

In creating the latest version of the Beetle Convertible, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the Beetle Convertible’s timeless design with a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, just as it did with the latest Beetle coupe. The combination of a flatter roofline and a more upright windshield gives the car a shape that’s more closely aligned with the first generation of Beetle convertibles.

Volkswagen decided to stick with a traditional soft-top rather than incorporate a folding hardtop on the car. When the top is down, it lies flat, giving good rear visibility. Although the top looks compact when furled, it’s actually wide and long when in place, an action that takes a little over 10 seconds at the touch of a button.

Inside, the Beetle Convertible retains the design cues that have made the latest Beetle such a hit with consumers, such as the body-color dashboard and the stylish gauges and trim. The spacious cabin has space for four full-size adults and is able to carry plenty of luggage: a fold-down split rear bench seat increases the practicality even further.

In any Volkswagen, safety is paramount and to that end, the company has developed an Automatic Rollover Support System. Two roll-over bars are concealed behind the back of the rear bench seat, activated by the computer that deploys the airbags in the case of a crash.

Along with the fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within milliseconds. Driver and front passenger combined head-thorax airbags are also among the standard equipment.

The new Beetle Convertible will be available in the United States with three engine options. The entry-level powerplant is the familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel four-cylinder engine makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft, but just as importantly delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy figure of 41 mpg on the highway with the six-speed manual transmission. (A six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic is also available with this engine.) Finally, the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI® four-cylinder, which makes 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or DSG automatic.

Beetle Convertible pricing for the U.S. will be announced closer to launch, which occurs in the last quarter of 2012.

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VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES 2013 JETTA HYBRID PRICING

The latest member of the Jetta family offers competitive pricing, excellent fuel economy, and the fun-to-drive nature expected of a Volkswagen

• Jetta Hybrid starts at $24,995*, with SE priced from $26,990

• Most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup with manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 mpg**

• World’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

• Fastest compact hybrid in its class with an estimated 0-60 mph of less than 9.0 seconds

• Drives as a full EV at speeds of up to 44 mph

• Premium features include LED taillights and Daytime Running Lights, plus Bi-Xenon headlights

• Jetta range now extended to five different powertrains, providing a German-engineered compact sedan for everyone

Herndon, VA, Oct 3, 2012 - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2013 Jetta Hybrid, expected to be the most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup. Powered by an all-new, high-tech, 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI® engine mated to a zero-emissions electric motor, the Jetta Hybrid has a combined output of 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The innovative powertrain also features a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for a distance of up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. With a manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 miles per gallon** and a 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this newest addition to the Jetta family demonstrates that being fuel-efficient doesn’t have to come at the cost of performance or fun. The Jetta Hybrid will be available starting at $24,995* and will go on sale in the last quarter of 2012.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid model range:

Hybrid (available by order only)

The Hybrid trim has an MSRP of $24,995. Standard equipment includes a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine; 27-hp electric motor; seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission; front and rear disc brakes; Daytime Running Lights; power and heated exterior mirrors;15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; rear spoiler and rear diffuser; unique grille; hybrid badging on front, sides and rear; power windows with one-touch up/down; hybrid interior accents; six-way manually adjustable front seats; Climatronic® automatic climate-control; Bluetooth ® technology; auxiliary input jack; trip computer; RCD 310 radio with CD player and six speakers; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; 60/40 folding rear seat; tilt/telescoping steering wheel column; temperature display; and front, side and Side Curtain Protection® airbags.

Hybrid SE

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SE starts at $26,990. In addition to all of the equipment offered on the Hybrid trim, it adds: LED taillights; power recline front seats; Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod® cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console; SiriusXM® Satellite Radio; and keyless access with push-button start.

Hybrid SEL

The Hybrid SEL has an MSRP of $29,325 and features 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; a power tilt and slide sunroof; RNS 315 radio and navigation; heated front washer nozzles; heated front seats; and a six-way power driver’s seat.

Hybrid SEL Premium

The Hybrid SEL Premium retails for $31,180. Compared to the Hybrid with Navigation, it adds Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Active Front-Lighting System (AFS); foglights with cornering light; 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; the Fender® Premium Audio System with subwoofer; and a rearview camera.

All prices exclude destination charges of $795 per vehicle.

*Available by order only

**Manufacturer estimate of fuel economy only; EPA results may vary

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