All-turbo Lineup for 2014 VW Beetle Starts at $20,295

Volkswagen’s venerable 2.5-liter engine is on its way out as the standard engine in the 2014 VW Beetle, as the latest models are now arriving at dealerships with the new 1.8-liter unit also found in the VW Jetta and Passat. The engine swaps displacement for efficiency while also adding power, yet Volkswagen is holding the line on the car’s MSRP: The 2014 VW Beetle remains priced from $20,295 even with its advanced powerplant, and the MSRP also remains the same for the re-engined 2014 VW Beetle Convertible ($25,170).

As a quick review of the engine itself, it relies on technologies like turbocharging and direct injection to develop 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s the same number of horses found in the outgoing engine, but those ponies are available 700 rpm lower in the power band in the latest 2014 VW Beetle. And engineers dialed in an even bigger advantage in torque, since the new powerplant makes an additional 7 lb.-ft. as compared to its predecessor, and here peak power comes on as early as 1,500 rpm. Not only is that a 2,750-rev advantage for the turbo, but it’s complemented by some nice jumps with the EPA.

Here are the new numbers (showing improvement in parentheses):

• 2014 VW Beetle with 5MT—24 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg combined (+2 mpg/+2 mpg/+2 mpg)
• 2014 VW Beetle with 6AT—25 mpg city/33 mpg highway/28 mpg combined (+3 mpg/+4 mpg/+3 mpg)
• 2014 VW Beetle Convertible with 6AT—24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined (+3 mpg/+5 mpg/+4 mpg)

(Note: The entry model for the 2014 VW Beetle Convertible only comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.)

Fans of forced induction also should note that, with the launch of the new standard engine in the 2014 VW Beetle—which also offers high-performance 2.0-liter turbo and TDI turbodiesel engine choices—the entire Beetle bunch is now turbocharged.