2009 NEW BEETLE AND NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE: UNDENIABLY FUN, UNMISTAKEABLY VOLKSWAGEN

The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible continue their combined mission as iconic cars designed and engineered to stir the passions of those who love the heritage and pure fun of Volkswagen. Each offered in a single trim level, the latest version of the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible come with a very affordable starting price of $17,990 for the hardtop and $25,590 (automatic only) for the drop top.

Highlights

• Standard equipped ESP

• Standard six-speaker premium CD radio with MP3 format capability

• Auxiliary jacks for personal device (e.g., iPod) connectivity and Sirius® Satellite Radio with three-month Complimentary subscription

• 2.5L, in-line, five-cylinder gasoline engine

• Standard Cold Weather package

Comfort, Convenience, Infotainment Features

For four-season fun, the New Beetle convertible features a three-layer cloth top with a heated glass rear window. An extra window switch on convertible models allows the driver to lower and raise all of the side windows simultaneously.

The modern top helps keep road noise out in the 'up' or closed position. Lowering the top is easy, and it fits neatly behind the rear seat in original Beetle fashion. The soft-top also includes a semi-automatic power roof and a wind blocker as options.

Both models come standard with an ample host of appointments, including V-Tex leatherette seat trim; leather brake handle and shifter knob; heated front seats; chrome accents throughout; telescoping three-spoke padded steering wheel; Easy Entry System front seats for rear passenger entry; and one-touch up/down automatic windows (driver and passenger) with pinch protection.

Audiophiles will find the new Beetle offerings to their liking as well, with a standard -six speaker premium CD radio with MP3 format capability on the convertible and six-speaker system on the hardtop. Both carry auxiliary jacks for personal device (e.g., iPod) connectivity and Sirius® Satellite Radio with three-month complimentary

subscription.

Engine and Transmission

The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertibles come equipped with Volkswagen's rock-solid and advanced 2.5L, in-line, five-cylinder gasoline engine. The 2.5L engine delivers 150 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3750 rpm. With four valves per cylinder, aluminum alloy cross flow heads and double overhead camshafts, the engine is strong, quiet, and efficient. Hydraulic lifters are maintenance-free. Digital electronic ignition and Motronic sequential multi-point fuel injection enable the engine to operate on regular unleaded gasoline.

Power is delivered to the front wheels with two types of transmissions. A fivespeed manual transmission operates smoothly with a hydraulic clutch. An available sixspeed transmission with Tiptronic® allows for both automatic and driver-selected gear changes using the gear selector. The convertible is automatic only.

The 2009 New Beetle convertible with automatic transmission achieves an EPAestimated fuel efficiency of up to 29 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in city driving. With a manual transmission, the New Beetle EPA estimates are 28 mpg highway and 20 in the city — automatic EPA estimates are 29 mpg highway and 20 in the city.

Chassis and Suspension

Independent front McPherson struts, a torsion beam rear axle and front and rear stabilizer bars combine for a comfortable ride with solid cornering stability. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering with a 15.6:1 steering ratio ensures the responsiveness expected of an authentic German-tuned offering and four-wheel disc brakes (288- x 25-mm vented front, 232- x 9-mm solid rear) delivers all the stopping power needed.

State-of-the-art chassis controls are abundant on the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible to ensure outstanding vehicle dynamics. The front-drive compacts are standard equipped with the latest three-channel version Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) with brake assist and traction control including Anti-Slip Regulation. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also standard as well.

Exterior

The New Beetle convertible is available in Black, Candy White, Gecko Green, Salsa Red, Harvest Moon, Sunflower Yellow and Heaven Blue Metallic. The hardtop expands the color palette to include Platinum Gray and Reflex Silver. Sixteen-inch alloy 'Mali'-designed wheels are standard on all New Beetle offerings, and the convertible offers 17-inch alloy 'Versus' wheels as an option.

Active and Passive Safety

Like all Volkswagens, the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible include the Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of more than 45 safety features. As standard equipment, the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible include — but are not limited to -- dual front airbags; dual front side head/thorax airbags; emergency locking

retractors in all seating positions; front safety belts with pretensioners and load limiters; and three-point safety belts in all five seating positions (two front, three rear) with emergency locking retractors.

The New Beetle convertible also includes an Active Rollover Support™ system that 'pops up' two spring-loaded aluminum posts in 0.25 seconds from behind the rear seat headrests. The New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, like all 2009 Volkswagens, come standard equipped with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer singlevehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to provide an electronic stability control system on its entire product line as standard equipment — ahead of the NHTSA deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. ESP compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual direction; if ESP detects a discrepancy, ESP automatically brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help maintain directional control.

Warranty

The 2009 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first), plus new vehicle warranties including:

• Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty.

• Three-year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty with wear and tear items and adjustments.

• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation.

The New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, are included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible's scheduled maintenance, as described in the maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Since all current Volkswagens, including New Beetle and New Beetle convertible, use synthetic oil, combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, a 5,000 mile oil change is no longer necessary. This means that like all current Volkswagen owners, New Beetle and New Beetle convertible drivers can drive farther between oil changes.

by Volkswagen