Volkswagen Introduces VW Beetle Fender Edition

Leveraging the same kind of audio expertise that goes into Fender’s iconic guitars, Volkswagen introduced the VW Beetle Fender Edition at the recent Leipzig (Germany) International Auto Show. But U.S. customers shouldn’t fret: The car will arrive in America before the end of the year.

It’s the second production vehicle to benefit from the VW-Fender partnership, which already has seen the launch of a premium Fender sound system on the American Volkswagen Jetta. But this time around, the Fenderization extends beyond the audio setup to showcase unique appearance upgrades that include a nod to the “sunburst” finish found on the original 1954 Fender Stratocaster guitar.

VW Beetle Fender Edition: What You Get

The new Fender package will be offered on the Beetle Turbo—the fastest production Beetle ever sold by VW—and will no doubt provide the perfect soundtrack to go with the car’s 200-hp turbocharged I4 engine. In the mix here: 400 watts of power, a 10-channel amplifier, proprietary Panasonic speaker technology and “no fewer” than nine speakers, including four Fender Deluxe tweeters, four Fender speakers (including two Fender Twins with dual-voice coils) and a Fender Bassman woofer.

All Fender edition Beetles will wear a Deep Black Metallic exterior finish, set off by 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with an eight-spoke “Disc” design, Bi-Xenon headlights, brushed-chrome exterior mirrors and a Fender logo. Inside, the car’s dashboard gets an eye-catching sunburst-style look that is accented by contrast stitching throughout the cabin, as well as exclusive Fender-only fabric seat inserts.

The Fender model should also include all standard equipment in the current Beetle Turbo, such as:

• Heated outside mirrors
• Rear spoiler
• Halogen foglights
• Heated windshield-wiper nozzles
• Ambient lighting
• Heated front sport seats
• Dual glovebox
• Bluetooth hands-free calling technology
• Leather-wrapped sport-style steering wheel
• Safety measures such as electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stabilization control, brake assist and VW’s Intelligent Crash Response System

Pricing for the VW Beetle Fender Edition will be announced a bit closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.

Fender Flashback: Volkswagen Jetta

As mentioned, the Fender premium sound system is currently playing in the VW Jetta lineup, where it’s standard equipment on three different models:

• Jetta SEL—With an MSRP of $23,445, the Jetta SEL is the up-level choice for those who prefer the car’s standard 2.5-liter I5 engine, capable of 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Other notable standard features include two-tone front sport seats, touchscreen navigation and a sunroof.
• Jetta TDI Premium—This is the upscale diesel option, with a price tag that starts at $24,125 and EPA ratings of up to 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway/24 mpg combined.
• Jetta GLI Autobahn—Hearkening back to the original Jetta GLI from 1984, the enthusiast’s alternative packs Volkswagen’s turbocharged TSI I4 engine (making 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque) along with a track-tuned high-performance suspension and sporty appearance upgrades. The price of admission: $25,795.