Description

What an interesting life the Volkswagen Beetle has lived. More than six years ago, when the Golf-based New Beetle first arrived on these shores (in its second incarnation), the buying public went nuts. It was cuddly. It was odd. It was a better version than anything anyone ever remembered, especially the noisy, sewing machine rides that were mostly a difficult trip from Point A to B during the 1960s For 2004, the Beetle is back with new safety features, new colors, new options, a new, and a new roof. Or the lack thereof. VW hopes the New Beetle Convertible even gets you thinking about spring a little early. At the very least, VW hopes you think of the Beetle when you consider a convertible this spring. In either form - hardtop or convertible - the Beetle still excels. It offers the best of German engineering. That means a refined ride that combines performance with excellent finish. The convertible arrives with such features as a power-folding cloth top, and a rollover protection system. As a real bonus, every version is a wonderfully well-crafted and very typical VW environme nt. Touch points (climate controls, stereo knobs and door handles) are done up with the class we've come to expect from German models these days. VW's interiors have become the industry standard and the Beetle still scores well in that department. It is simplicity - a textured, rubber surface in favor of faux wood - and it is effective. Smaller inside than the Golf, the Beetle is all about style. Its dashboard resembles the length of a coffee table. Its round vents are still unique, and its instrument panel, with the enormous, round speedometer, still stands out in a crowd. It is great for fuel economy, which the EPA rates at 22 for the city and 29 for the highway.