New Beetle Cabriolet launches the 2003 open-air season on 21st February

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February 26, 2003
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New Beetle Cabriolet launches the 2003 open-air season on 21st February

Photo: VW

Already 3,355 advance orders for the avant-garde New Beetle Cabriolet
70 percent of customers choose leather upholstery; black is the number-one colour

Wolfsburg - Why not start the spring season on February 21st instead of March 21st as in other years? Convertible owners won't object, that's for sure, because this is when the New Beetle Cabriolet is to be launched on the German market. 3,355 sun-worshippers have already placed advance orders for this new four-seat model: 70 percent of them chose it with leather upholstery. The most popular colour this season is evidently black, follower by Harvest moon beige and Royal navy pearl effect.

The list price is an equally popular feature: starting at 19,750 Euro one can obtain a convertible with such standard features as automatically extending roll-over protection, ESP, four airbags, a distinguished fabric soft top, a centre armrest with lockable storage compartment, electric windows all round and remote-control central locking.

The entry-level New Beetle Cabriolet has an economical 55-kW (75-bhp) engine, but the current front runner on the order list has an output of 75 kW (102 bhp) and is priced at 20,825 Euro. The most powerful version develops 85 kW (115 bhp) and is currently second in the early customers' order of preference; it costs 22,025 Euro). With this engine, there is also the option of a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The soft top is an innovative feature: it has a heated glass rear window, can easily be released with one hand and opens, if the optional electro-hydraulic mechanism is ordered, in 13 seconds. If you have to close it, this takes only the same short time.

The New Beetle Cabriolet, though not a direct successor to the legendary Beetle convertible of some years ago, certainly recaptures the same spirit. The original Beetle convertible was bought worldwide by more than 330,000 fresh-air enthusiasts, and so far the Golf Cabriolet has found more than 684,000 buyers. Now a start has been made, and there is every prospect of the New Beetle Cabriolet continuing this success story.

(Feb 20, 2003)

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