The new Beetle debuts with 4 petrol and 2 turbodiesel engines. 4 of them are charged four-cylinder engines, while 1 engine is a five-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine. All of the four-cylinder engines have direct fuel injection.
4 petrol engines
77 kW / 105 PS (1.2 TSI) for China and Europe.
118 kW / 160 PS (1.4 TSI) for China and Europe.
125 kW / 170 PS (2.5 MPI) for America.
147 kW / 200 PS (2.0 TSI) for America, China and Europe.
2 diesel engines
77 kW / 105 PS (1.6 TDI) for Europe.
103 kW / 140 (2.0 TDI) for America and Europe.
Sustainable
Never before has the Beetle aka Beetle been more fuel-efficient. The best example is the Beetle 1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS. At 4.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 112 g/km CO2), this diesel version with BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system, battery regeneration) is the most fuel-efficient Beetle that has ever been built. Reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous model: 20 per cent. In America, the Beetle will be offered as a turbodiesel for the first time. As a US version, the Beetle 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 PS) fulfils the emissions standards for all 50 states, thanks to the NOx storage catalytic converter it uses, and it attains a Highway fuel economy of 40 mpg; in the City cycle, fuel economy is 29 mpg, and combined fuel economy is 33 mpg. By the way, the Volkswagen not only achieves these fuel economy values in the version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but also – and this is also a technology debut in the Beetle – with the optional 6-speed dual clutch transmission.
Petrol engines – specifics of the 4 engines
1.2 TSI with 77 kW / 105 PS
Among the engines, one technological highlight in efficiency is the 1.2 TSI with 77 kW / 105 PS. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine follows the downsizing philosophy of the globally successful 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines. And this means: maximum power with minimum fuel consumption. The "small" TSIs are characterised by very impressive driving performance. For example, the 105 PS Beetle 1.2 TSI reaches 100 km/h from a standstill after just 10.9 seconds, and if necessary it can accelerate to 180 km/h. This performance data sits in sharp contrast to its very low fuel consumption and emissions values, particularly with the BlueMotion Technology pack that attains 5.5 l/100 km and 129 g/km CO2. The 1.2 TSI produces its peak power at 5,000 rpm. Its maximum torque of 175 Newton metres is available from 1,500 rpm. The Beetle 1.2 TSI is delivered with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Optionally (and as standard in China), this engine can also be equipped with the 7-speed DSG developed by Volkswagen. In this case, fuel consumption is also very low: 5.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 137 g/km CO2).
1.4 TSI with 118 kW / 160 PS
At the next power level, Volkswagen is implementing a turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine with a power of 118 kW / 160 PS (at 5,800 rpm) in the new Beetle. A look at the engine's specific power is of interest here: the 1.4-litre engine attains 84.3 kW or 114.3 PS per litre engine displacement. Its maximum torque of 240 Newton metres is available at a low 2,000 rpm. Like the 122 PS TSI, this engine is also exceptionally economical: 6.6 l/100 km (equivalent to 153 g/km CO2). When the 160 PS TSI is combined with the 7-speed DSG (standard in China), fuel consumption drops to 5.9 l/100 km (139 g/km CO2)! Fuel economy data like this makes the Beetle 1.4 TSI DSG a pleasant surprise in the engine programme. By comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 PS attained a value of 8.9 l/100 km in the automatic version. Despite 10 PS more power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0 l/100 km or 34 per cent. Driving performance of the Beetle 1.4 TSI is also impressive: after just 8.3 seconds, the Volkswagen is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 208 km/h (207 km/h with DSG).
2.5 MPI with 125 kW / 170 PS
This five-cylinder engine with a power output of 125 kW / 170 PS (at 5,600 rpm) and 2,480 cc was developed specifically for the USA, Canada and Mexico. The 20 valve five-cylinder engine equipped with multipoint fuel injection enables a high level of agility: it accelerates the Beetle to 60 mph in just 8.0 seconds; when a 6-speed automatic is installed, this value is 8.3 seconds. Even at its top speed of 118 mph the acoustics of the five-cylinder engine always remain muted. The engine's maximum torque of 240 Newton metres comes at 4,250 rpm. For the manually shifted Beetle, fuel economy values are 22 mpg (City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined); the same engine with a 6-speed automatic attains 23 mpg (City), 30 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined).
2.0 TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS
Volkswagen is implementing the 2.0 TSI in the Beetle worldwide. This engine, familiar from the Golf GTI, enjoys a cult status, particularly in Europe, because it goes to work with extremely sporty performance yet is highly efficient. The turbocharged engine attains a combined fuel consumption of 7.4 l/100 in Europe; the equivalent CO2 value is 173 g/km (USA: 21 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway). In the version with 6-speed DSG (standard in China), the European driving cycle values are 7.7 l/100 km and 179 g/km CO2 (USA: 22 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway). The large TSI develops its maximum power from 5,100 rpm. Its maximum torque of 280 Newton metres is already available from 1,800 rpm. The Beetle 2.0 TSI has a top speed of 225 km/h or 130 mph (electronically limited); DSG: limited to 223 km/h or 130 mph. The Volkswagen completes the sprint to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; in America, the most powerful Beetle sprints to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
Diesel engines – details of the 2 engines
1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS
The 1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS (from 4,400 rpm) and 240 Nm torque (from 2,000 rpm) is one of the most advanced diesel engines in the world. Like all Volkswagen TDI engines with common rail direct injection, these 16-valve four-cylinder TDIs also exhibit the best acoustic properties, excellent responsiveness and extremely low fuel consumption and emissions values. Naturally, the Beetle 1.6 TDI has a particulate filter. At 4.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 112 g/km CO2), this diesel version – when equipped with BlueMotion Technology modifications – is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever built. This means that fuel consumption on TDI engines that have always been fuel-efficient has been reduced by 20 per cent. On the Autobahn, the new Beetle 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology is capable of a top speed of 180 km/h – so, in this case fuel economy does not come at the price of performance. Like all of the Beetle's TDI and TSI engines, the 1.6 TDI is also offered with an optional dual clutch transmission. The 7-speed DSG used here achieves a combined fuel consumption value of just 4.7 l/100 km (124 g/km CO2).
2.0 TDI 103 kW / 140 PS
Also exceptionally fuel-efficient is the 140 PS TDI (4,200 rpm) in the new Beetle. This extremely torque-strong turbodiesel (320 Nm from 1,750 rpm) is capable of a top speed of 198 km/h, yet it has a combined fuel consumption value of just 4.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 129 g/km CO2). When shifted with a 6-speed DSG, the European driving cycle yields a combined fuel consumption value of 5.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 139 g/km CO2). On both transmission versions, the European Beetle 2.0 TDI accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds; its top speed is 198 km/h (DSG: 195 km/h). The US version of the Beetle 2.0 TDI equipped with a NOx storage catalytic converter and a manual transmission attains a (combined) fuel economy value of 33 mpg! The best: the Beetle 2.0 TDI also attains this value with its highly efficient automatic transmission, the 6-speed DSG.
DSG – one of the most efficient transmissions in the world
6- and 7-speed DSG
Except for the 2.5 MPI (available with manual transmission or torque-converter automatic), any of the new Beetle's engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission (DSG). It is either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG, depending on engine torque values. Besides having different numbers of forward gears, another way in which the DSG systems differ technically is in their clutch types. While 2 dry clutches operate in the 7-speed DSG, the dual clutch of the 6-speed DSG runs wet in an oil bath. The two DSG versions are application-specific. While the 6-speed DSG shines when paired with torque-strong engines (up to 350 Newton metres), the 7-speed DSG is especially effective in combination with smaller engines (up to 250 Newton metres of torque).
Running gear – first-class handling properties
New rear suspension in lightweight construction
In all versions, the Beetle is equipped with a standard ESP electronic stabilisation programme. When it comes to the layout of the car's running gear, Volkswagen has implemented a MacPherson-type strut suspension at the front with helical springs and telescoping dampers. At the rear, a newly developed suspension in lightweight construction supports the Beetle's very good handling properties. Transverse forces are supported by an anti-sway bar here. In the context of repositioning the Beetle, the very lightweight running gear concept represents the optimum. In addition, the running gear also offers excellent driving stability when the car is fully loaded. Fitting into this picture is the very smooth yet precise operation of the electromechanical power steering (for all TDI and TSI engines / 2.5 MPI: hydraulic power steering). The Beetle 2.0 TSI will be delivered globally with a four-link rear suspension; this running gear layout can handle the higher dynamic loads of the top engine.
Differential lock for top petrol engine
To ensure the 2 strongest Beetle versions apply their power to the road properly when driving quickly through bends, the models with 160 PS / 118 kW (European version) and 200 PS / 147 kW (global) come with a standard, factory-fitted XDS electronic differential lock which is essentially an extension of the familiar EDS functionality. XDS improves handling in fast bends and calibrates the car towards more "neutral" steering; it does this by using active brake intervention to prevent wheelspin of the unloaded wheel on the inside of the curve, which in turn improves traction.
Notes:
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries.
All fuel economy and emissions data cited in this press release are forecast values as of June 2011.