VW claims a believable 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.2 seconds. An excellent 8.0 L/100 km fuel consumption average is also achievable, as long as you go lightly on the throttle.

The latest Beetle loses its roof for 2013, and we drive the 2.5, diesel, and turbocharged versions.

After many months of R&D, Black Forest Industries, a company that specializes in Volkswagen/Audi aftermarket parts, developed an Mk3 1.8T Drop-In Conversion Kit ($799).