We just got our hands on the official pricing list for the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. US customers can bring home the latest iteration of the retro-penned “people’s car” for as little as $18,995 which increases to $19,765 (about €13,540) if you add VW’s $770 destination charge, for the base model fitted with the 170HP 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. When linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, the 2.5L returns an estimated 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the optional six-speed automatic offers EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Standard features on the 2.5L model include a split folding rear seat, aux-in for portable audio players, a leather steering wheel, 17-inch alloys, and an eight-speaker audio system.
For those seeking more power, VW offers the 2.0L TSI Beetle with 200-horses and 207 lb-ft of peak torque, which is priced from $23,395 or $24,165 (around €16,550) if you include destination charges. It is offered with a standard six-speed manual or an optional DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the latter delivering offers an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg city.
On top of the 2.5L’s standard equipment, the 2.0 TSI adds Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, three-color ambient lighting, larger brakes with red calipers, a “kaeferfach” additional glovebox that is similar to that of the original Beetle, sport seating surfaces, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, fog lights, three additional gauges on the dashboard, and alloy pedals.
Volkswagen has not yet announced pricing on the most fuel-efficient version of the new Beetle series equipped with a 140HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine expected to return a highway estimate of 40 mpg.
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