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Author Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible  (Read 5693 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« on: December 08, 2015, 06:28:39 am »

VW's latest Beetle variant is easy to love.
Read More...
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Offline JohnnyMac

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2015, 07:19:26 am »
Love those wheels and the seat covering look very unique.  For some reason these Beetle Classics really appeal to me.  I'll never buy one of course but if I was retired and wanted something retro, fun, and somewhat comfortable, I think this would be high on my list.  I'd definitely pick this over the Fiat 500 convertible and the Mini Cooper convertible, which to me are the two main competitors.  Definitely form over function.

Seems to be well equipped as well.  Price isn't out to lunch.  Seems like the local dealer gets mostly Classic trimmed Beetles on their lot over the past 6 months, must be a popular package.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2015, 08:51:20 am »
The local dealer had one. I think it looks fantastic. They did an excellent job with the wheels.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2015, 09:32:33 am by Sir Osis of Liver »
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On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2015, 09:23:04 am »
I'd prefer this in the non-'classic' trim, and with HIDs to negate the performance inadequacies as noted by the most-excellent author, Pritch. ( :cheers: )

Quote
Mileage on my watch landed at 8.4 L/100 km, with plenty of speedy browsing of major highways. It’s a decent figure, given the available punch from the little engine, and your writer’s heavy foot.
The TSI can take both reg or high-octane fuel...which did you have in it?  If regular, that's fantastic.  If 91+, I'm not sure those figures are great given your highway-intensive driving routes.

Either way, I want to love VW again...but the move to Mexico and the TDI scandal really do affect my perception.  I can only imagine how other prospective buyers would feel.
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Offline OliverD

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2015, 09:44:52 am »
Quote from: No-san on December 08, 2015, 09:23:04 am
Either way, I want to love VW again...but the move to Mexico and the TDI scandal really do affect my perception.  I can only imagine how other prospective buyers would feel.

Still hung up on what happened in 1992, eh?
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Offline Silverbird

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2015, 09:50:05 am »
Surprised at the pricing, that is actually reasonable for a 4 seater convertible.
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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2015, 10:48:47 am »
Quote from: OliverD on December 08, 2015, 09:44:52 am
Quote from: No-san on December 08, 2015, 09:23:04 am
Either way, I want to love VW again...but the move to Mexico and the TDI scandal really do affect my perception.  I can only imagine how other prospective buyers would feel.
Still hung up on what happened in 1992, eh?
You bet :)

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Offline Blueprint

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2015, 12:49:02 pm »
Great value here, but if I got one of these I'd have the rims powder-coated silver, as they should be. No idea why they decided on painting them black  ???



No-san, the 1.8 TSI runs fine on 87 octane, the recommended fuel, but interweb rumours point out to 190hp+ when run on premium.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2015, 01:28:34 pm »
Quote from: Blueprint on December 08, 2015, 12:49:02 pm
Great value here, but if I got one of these I'd have the rims powder-coated silver, as they should be. No idea why they decided on painting them black  ???



No-san, the 1.8 TSI runs fine on 87 octane, the recommended fuel, but interweb rumours point out to 190hp+ when run on premium.

APR measure this:

Peak Horsepower (HP)   170 HP   191 HP   
Peak Torque (FT-LBS)   184 TQ   203 TQ

The only difference was running on 93 octane versus 87.

http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_trans.html
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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2015, 02:14:21 pm »
Quote from: Blueprint on December 08, 2015, 12:49:02 pm
No-san, the 1.8 TSI runs fine on 87 octane, the recommended fuel, but interweb rumours point out to 190hp+ when run on premium.
I know it runs fine...the question was what fuel did Pritch have in the tank to get 8.9L/100km?  I'm wagering that if it were 87 oct, then 8.9L/100km is really good.  Flip side is that 8.9L/100km of 91+ oct on mostly highways isn't so great...

The engine is good, we know...but top-down motoring can have higher drag and therefore worse fuel economy.

I'm just trying to assess based on what fuel he had.
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Offline pcsp

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2015, 02:34:54 pm »
I am TOTALLY smitten. This is how I would order the car. My love affair with the Fiat 500c is now on rocky ground. If this car was a song, it would be Pharrell Williams' "Happy".
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Offline MR2Pritch

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2015, 07:51:48 pm »
Hello,  I used mid grade, 89 octane,  as I always do when regular gas is specified for an engine like this one. Unless its a performance car. 
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Offline Northland

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Re: Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2015, 01:07:28 pm »
Too bad it is a Volkswagen. 

We so regret buying our 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI from Volkswagen Midtown Toronto. Earlier this year engine oil spewed from the Turbo charger onto a hose (that cost $500 to fix), now a coil spring broke (that cost $921 to replace both front ones) and the now we find the Golf TDI pollutes as much as an 18 wheeler! All this on a 4 year old car with 120,000 kms. No information or help from VW Canada on any of our 3 issues. 

If and when VW fixes the emissions cheating problem we will sell it and buy a Subaru or Honda.
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