New 2013 VW Beetle Convertible Makes Motor Show Debut in LA, Starts at $24,995 [w/Video]

If you live in Europe, you’ve probably seen the new 2013 Beetle Convertible as it is already offered for sale, but on this side of the pond, the open-top Volkswagen just received its North American premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where the German carmaker also announced pricing.

In the States, the rag-topped Beetle gives buyers a choice of three powerplants. These include a base, 170hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline unit mated to a six-speed automatic, and a 140hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, which VW says compete the Fiat 500c and Mini Cooper Convertible.

At the top of the range is a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline unit rated at 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is also available with a six-speed stick shift and a DGS with the same number of gears.

VW believes that in America, the turbo model rivals the “Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang Convertible and Mini Cooper S Convertible”, which says a lot about how today’s buyers shop around for cars…

Prices for the Beetle Convertible start at $24,995 for the 2.5L model and rise to $32,395 for a fully equipped 2.0 TSI variant. For more details on MSRPs and the equipment features of each model, scroll down for the press blurb.

Model Line-up

Beetle Convertible
The Beetle Convertible, which has a starting MSRP of $24,995, comes standard with: six-speed automatic transmission; leather-wrapped steering wheel; manual air conditioning; Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod adapter; three-color adjustable ambient lighting; Bluetooth technology; heated front seats; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; eight-speaker sound system with aux-in; cruise control; and power adjustable, heatable side mirrors. The ‘50s Edition adds leather seating surfaces, chrome exterior mirror caps, and “Heritage” wheels; it costs $26,095.

Beetle Convertible with Technology
Opening at $26,695, this trim adds the following to the Beetle Convertible’s standard equipment: a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; Keyless access with push-button start; Premium VIII touchscreen radio; high-line trip computer; and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Beetle Convertible with Sound and Navigation
In addition to the features on the Beetle Convertible with Technology, this adds: 18-inch “Disc” aluminum-alloy wheels; the RNS 315 navigation system; and the Fender Premium Audio System. The Beetle Convertible with Sound and Navigation starts at $28,495. The ‘70s Edition adds chrome exterior mirror caps and a unique Toffee Brown metallic color, for an MSRP of $28,595.

Beetle TDI Convertible
Starting at $27,895, the TDI receives the following equipment that’s additional to the Beetle 2.5L’s: six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmission; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; Keyless access with push-button start; a leather-wrapped gearshift knob; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; the Premium VIII touchscreen radio; and the auxiliary instrumentation cluster. The six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is an $1100 option.

Beetle TDI Convertible with Sound and Navigation
With a base price of $29,195, this version takes the TDI’s standard equipment and adds the RNS 315 navigation system and the Fender Premium Audio System.

Beetle Turbo Convertible
Starting at $27,795, the Turbo adds the following equipment over the 2.5L model: a six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission; a sport suspension; 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; aluminum-alloy pedals; black-finished exterior mirror housings; front foglights; a leather-wrapped gearshift lever; and the auxiliary instrumentation cluster.

Beetle Turbo Convertible with Sound
This package adds a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; Keyless access with push-button start; the Premium VIII touchscreen radio; the Fender Premium Audio System; a highline trip computer; and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The base MSRP is $29,195.

Beetle Turbo Convertible with Sound and Navigation
The topline Beetle Turbo starts at $31,195 and adds: leather seating surfaces, door trims, and dashboard; sport seats; and the RNS 315 navigation system. The ‘60s Edition has two-tone leather seats and Denim Blue paint: available only with the DSG transmission, it is priced at $32,395.

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