2013 VW Beetle Convertible: Price from £18,150

After a reveal in October, the New Volkswagen Beetle Convertible has debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will cost from £18,150 in the UK.

In amongst the news from the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show comes the public debut of the new soft-top Beetle – the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible – and that means news of specs and prices for the Volkswagen that refuses to go away.

In fact, not only does the Beetle refuse to go away, it’s selling better than the ‘old’ Beetle ever did, with 230,000 Beetles built since the Beetle was revived eight years ago, only 100,000 fewer than the old Beetle sold in its 31 year history.

And the new VW Beetle promises to be more appealing than the first iterations of VW’s revival of the Beetle, with their strapline for the latest model setting out its intentions clearly: ‘Less Flower – More Power’.

That means the flower vase has gone and there’s a decent set of engines on offer from the 105PS 1.2 litre petrol to the 200PS 2.0 litre TSI, with two diesels – the 1.6 litre TDI with 105PS and 2.0 litre TDI with 140PS – and a choice of manual or DSG ‘boxes.

The entry-level Beetle comes in Beetle trim (which, we assume, makes it the Beetle Beetle) with a 1.4 litre TSI or 1.6 litre TDI and gets AirCon, remote central locking, DAB, a rear spoiler, ESP, Brake Assist, Hill Hold and rollover protection.

Move up to mid-range Design trim and you can add 17″ alloys, Bluetooth, Front Fogs, better sound, multi-function steering wheel and body-coloured door and dash panels.

Top of the tree Sport spec sees 18″ alloys, Cruise, Sports Seats, Parking Sensors, Gloss Black door mirrors, dash and door panels, Climate and sports dials added to the mix.

VW are also offering a trio of Beetle Specials to kick off the new Convertible Beetle, with the 50s, 60s and 70s models. The 50s Beetle gets Black paint, Black Alloys, Chrome door mirrors, Black hood and black or beige upholstery. The 60s Beetle comes with Denim Blue or Candy White paint, black hood and black or red and black trim. The 70s Beetle gets beige leather and a beige hood with chrome door mirrors and Java Brown paint. The ‘Specials’ only come with the 1.4 litre TSI 160PS engine.

The 2013 VW Beetle Convertible is now on sale from £18,150 for the 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS 6 spd manual, rising to £26,485 for the 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS 6 spd DSG. The first 2013 Beetle Convertibles will arrive in the UK in April.

2013 VW Beetle Convertible Photos >>