Volkswagen Beetle News
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With a new kit—likely only for Europe—Volkswagen is showing how easy it is to turn one of its classics into a fully electric car.
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Filing may uncover plans for hybrid VW Beetle coming soon
Just a few months ago, we heard that Volkswagen was not planning to develop a successor to the current Beetle but a recent filing shows that it might have one last hurrah for 2019. A June filing by supplier Magneti Marelli shows an instrument cluster that appears almost identical to the current...
Bozi Tatarevic -
Could future VW Beetle return to rear (electric) powertrain?
As any experienced journalist knows, you hear lots of good stuff in the corridors and private conversations of any large industry event where media are present. That applies to auto shows too. Which is how we came to hear an intriguing rumor about the possible production direction of the...
John Voelcker -
VW shows renderings of ID electric-car concept for Paris Motor Show
Volkswagen presently sells just one all-electric car under its own brand in multiple markets, the e-Golf electric variant of its well-known five-door compact hatchback. But in the wake of continuing fallout from the Volkswagen diesel scandal, the company is wrenching itself toward a more electric...
John Voelcker -
The 12 most influential green cars in history
The automobile has been with us since 1885, but only over the last 50 years have governments started to face up to its ill effects on the environment. The world's major car markets have mostly now legislated increasing levels of fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions not only of gases directly...
John Voelcker -
Geek Squad switches to Toyota Prius C hybrids from VW Beetles
Best Buy's Geek Squad will replace its Volkswagen Beetles with Toyota Prius C hybrids.
Stephen Edelstein -
Richard Hugo, of Carpinteria, California, may be the only Tesla Model S owner in the world who prefers to drive his other car. But it’s not as crazy as it sounds; his second set of wheels is a gorgeous blue 1967 Volkswagen Beetle that he’s converted to electric power. It gets just as many stares and thumbs-up as his Model S, he reports, and is even more fun to drive around town for local errands. DON'T MISS: 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf: What We Like & Don’t Like, After First Drive Hugo gave me a turn behind the wheel last week. And while I still prefer my Tesla Model S, the...
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Five Convertibles With High Gas Mileage: Enjoying Summer Efficiently
Here are five fuel-efficient convertibles.
Stephen Edelstein -
Volkswagen Beetle Dune Hybrid Concept: Quick Drive
A large red electrical shutdown switch inside a car says it all: You're driving a prototype. New York City passers-by who looked approvingly at our shiny bronze Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept car didn't know it, but the butcher-looking Beetle was running on a hybrid system not currently offered in...
John Voelcker -
VW Beetle Hybrid Prototype Previewed Outside New York Auto Show
A Volkswagen Beetle Hybrid prototype appeared outside the 2015 New York Auto Show.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW Beetle Range To Expand In 2019 As Sub-Brand To Rival Mini: Report
In the company's early days, much of Volkswagen's range centered around just one model: The Beetle. Those days may return to an extent, as the Beetle is the latest subject of Volkswagen's desire to fill every automotive niche possible. German site Auto Bild reports that the next-generation Beetle...
Antony Ingram -
Electric Cars Drive Silently Into Reality TV Shows
An electric Volkswagen Beetle and a derelict CitiCar join the ranks of automotive reality-show stars.
Stephen Edelstein -
The first Volkswagen Beetle was imported to the U.S. in January 1949.
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2014 Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle, Passat Get Smaller, More Efficient Engines
Volkswagen is finally dropping its long-serving 2.5-liter gasoline engine from several models, in favor of a more efficient, downsized turbocharged 1.8-liter. The 1.8 turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder develops 170 horsepower, the same as the naturally-aspirated 2.5. However, its 184...
Antony Ingram -
Summer, Sensibly: Four 2013 Convertibles With Good Gas Mileage
Many things can signify summer--the weather finally being warm enough to ditch those outer layers of clothing; TV ads taking a distinctly more cheery tone; maybe simply hunting around for your sunshades for the first time in six months. It's now possible to have fun in the sun and get good gas...
Antony Ingram -
Which Diesel Car Will Sell Best Next Year: Chevy, Jeep, Or VW?
Diesel has taken quite some time to catch on in the U.S, but several manufacturers are finally seeing the potential of compression ignition--and the range of available cars is increasing. That's good news for buyers wanting to eke out the most miles to every gallon, particularly on long, steady...
Antony Ingram -
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible First Drive
Despite the seemingly endless combinations of drivetrains, body styles, and features, there are still a few cars in the U.S. market that are unique in their makeup--and we're not talking about the Tesla Model S here. The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is the only convertible available in the...
Nelson Ireson -
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Unveiled, TDI Diesel Included
With the new VW Beetle launched last year, you knew there would be a ragtop, right? We now have photos of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, which includes a unique model: the only diesel convertible available for sale in the U.S. This is only the third all-new open-air Beetle in history; the...
John Voelcker -
It's not difficult to find cars with high gas mileage these days. Car manufacturers have made a stirling effort in recent years to push economy up, without sacrificing performance or equipment. So if you're in the market for a new green car, but want a little fun every time you drive it, what are your options? We've taken a look at several price points, to select a fun, gas-sipping car for every budget. Under $15,000 Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe, $14,890, 36 mpg combined The Smart ForTwo doesn't have the greatest reputation for fuel efficiency given its size, but with new cars under $15,000 you...
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Five Small Cars That Should Get Better Gas Mileage
Sometimes, the search for greener cars might lead you down the path to smaller cars. After all, with less weight to carry, smaller engines and usually fewer power-sapping accessories, small cars should be the gas-mileage champs. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. We've rounded up five small...
Antony Ingram -
2012 Volkswagen Beetle: Quick Drive
It's not all that fuel efficient, but it's more fun to drive than we expected. That's our reaction to a quick drive last month in a blue 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. It's the entirely redesigned follow-on to the former New Beetle model that was perhaps best known for its dash-mounted flower vase--which...
John Voelcker -
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Coupe Pricing Announced
Volkswagen has announced pricing details for its 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, the only clean diesel vehicle in the compact coupe category. When it goes on sale in August, the Beetle TDI will retail for $23,295 in manual transmission form. With a six-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic, you'll pay $1,100...
Antony Ingram -
2012 Volkswagen Beetle: Guys Love It, Mission Accomplished
Believe it or not, Volkswagen’s modern-day take on the classic Beetle has been in production for 14 years. But its cutesy curves and large, bug-like eyes meant many men avoided it, giving it the unceremonious title of being a “chick car”. So when Volkswagen put the Beetle under...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI: Live Gallery From Chicago Auto Show
While Volkswagen didn't host a press conference to launch its new diesel Beetle, the carmaker put the 2013 Beetle TDI on display at the Chicago Auto Show in its first U.S. appearance. It's really the return of a long-lost friend, since VW sold the previous-generation New Beetle with a 1.9-liter...
John Voelcker