Perky droptop offers lithe, lively drive
Smile-inducing Beetle all about fun of the ride
At first blush, the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle looks like the model it supersedes. Look a little deeper, though, and the differences are significant, if subtle. It now has a more dignified look with leaner proportions. This is particularly true of the convertible. It, unlike so many droptops, has a smart appearance whether the roof is up or down — too many convertibles skew the proportions the instant the roof disappears.
Getting topless, Beetle-style, is a painless venture that sees the canvas top lowered in a mechanical ballet that takes just 11 seconds. When dropped, there is a tonneau cover to give it a finished look. Frankly, fighting with the tonneau to get it into place and then messing with all the bits that attach it is such a pain that the tonneau feels like an accessory that is destined to gather dust in the garage. That, by the way, is not such a bad thing, as the top looks neat enough without the cover.
With the top up, the sightlines are pretty darned tight. The combination of the small rear window (kudos for it being glass and defrosted) and rear-seat headrests make for a limited rearward view. Lower the top and the blind spots caused by the canvas and C-pillars disappear. The headrests remain a minor issue, but it proved to be an easy drive in a congested urban environment.
The rear seat is token. Yes, it will hold two scrunched-up people in an emergency, but for the most part it is best suited to accommodate a briefcase or purse, as there’s not much storage space elsewhere. Both glove boxes are small and the centre console storage rates as basically nothing. Similarly, the trunk is limited to 200 litres, although the 50/50-split/folding rear seatbacks do add some welcome flexibility.
The rest of the entry-level Comfortline’s cabin is fairly basic — the lack of steering wheelmounted controls pretty much says it all.
It also arrived with “leatherette” covering the seats. My first thought was, hmmm, not so good. That was until a friendly bird left a deposit on the passenger seat. The faux leather cleaned up in a snap and without the hassle of scrubbing cloth upholstery or running the risk of staining real leather. As for amenities, it has all one needs, including a heightadjustable driver’s seat and tilt/ telescopic steering. It also counts a passable audio package that fills the cabin with decent sound when the top is down.
All of the above, and I admit to nitpicking, really matters not, as the Beetle Convertible is all about communing with fresh air and the fun of the drive. Here, this car succeeds.
The thing that impressed me was the manner in which the Beetle acquitted itself under a variety of driving situations. When tooling around town the ride was cushioned and comfortable. Amping up the tone of the drive saw the suspension take a quick set as the Bug hauled its way through a corner with surprising aplomb. I was not expecting such a lithe and lively drive.
The steering has the right weight and the feedback is all it should be. There was also a lot less understeer than I was expecting. The combination saw the Beetle toe the line through a hard and fast corner with rewarding precision.
More impressive is the Beetle’s motivation. It comes from VW’s new 1.8-litre turbocharged fourcylinder. This engine is a sweet mill that delivers 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and it does so across a broad range. Nail the gas from a standstill and there is an immediate response that sees the tires squeal away. Because the engine delivers peak torque at 1,500 rpm, the turbo-lag effect is basically non-existent. Through the mid-range it continued to pull with authority.
I tiptoed into the Beetle Convertible test expecting to find a soft ride and modest performance. I strode away impressed by how much fun it is to drive. It has smile-inducing handling and a rewarding turn of speed .