Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Press Release

3. Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible – Interior The avant-garde four-seater among open compacts

• New center armrest with lockable storage compartment
• Anti-theft vehicle alarm system with innovative passenger compartment monitoring

The New Beetle Convertible is a true four-seater with an interior that is designed to be as roomy as it is comfortable. For the convertible, the unique avant-garde interior of the New Beetle introduced in 1998 underwent further refinement that was specified with the soft-top in mind. All innovations that were not aimed directly at the soft-top were then also immediately incorporated into the classic New Beetle. The first modifications are apparent as soon as the door opens. For example, there are no conventional door lock buttons anymore. Among other changes made with the parked open convertible in mind, they have been replaced by LEDs. The door is unlocked using the door's inside handle. The release for the backs of the front seats was redesigned; easy-entry function makes it easier for passengers to get into and out of the rear seat Also redeveloped was the release for the front seat backs (with easy-entry function); it now folds down flatter because the B pillar and rear side panels in the convertible extend further in. This has a technical background, because here the rear side windows, which can be lowered, the electromechanically controlled linkage flaps of the soft-top and additional body reinforcements also need room. The complete lowering of the rear windows is a technical masterpiece in itself, and one that was implemented with a window guide that is as innovative as it is elaborate. It was also necessary to completely redesign the bench seat in the rear; it is somewhat narrower than the one in the sedan and simultaneously serves as a stylish covering for the rollover protection system. The standard pass-through is also a new feature in the rear; it allows skis or similar objects up to 1.90 meters or 6’2� long to be transported. The pass-through can be removed or locked as a cassette; it also has room for the first-aid kit. Storage compartment in the center armrest also holds optional CD changer; front cupholders can be swiveled to the side in the convertible While the entire cockpit was taken over from the New Beetle almost unchanged, the center console between the seats has been extensively redesigned: the convertible now has a lockable box with storage compartment and integrated armrest. A 6-disk CD changer, available as an option, can be integrated into the storage compartment. The cupholders for the driver and front-seat passenger have also been rearranged: the module can be swiveled out of the center console towards the front-seat passenger, making it easier to use it for larger cups. Also developed was an optional telephone holder, which harmonizes both functionally and visually with the New Beetle Convertible interior and which is mounted to the left of the striking front-seat passenger handle. New audio systems provide optimum fresh-air sound; up to 10 speakers make an open-air concert possible in the convertible Depending on the equipment or alternatively as an option, Volkswagen is offering new audio systems and an innovative anti-theft vehicle alarm system that monitors the interior of the New Beetle Convertible. The audio systems of the New Beetle sedan were optimized for the convertible with a view towards the special acoustic requirements. Because increased wind noise occurs in top-down driving, the power and sound quality were adjusted. In Germany, the New Beetle Convertible will be offered with the “alpha� (6-way speakers) and “gamma� (10-way speakers) radio systems. In the USA two 10-way systems are available; the top system is called “Monsoon“. Anti-theft vehicle alarm system monitors the interior via radar; an open convertible places special demands on the warning system The anti-theft vehicle alarm of the New Beetle Convertible was very elaborately designed because it also monitors the interior via sensors. An open vehicle places demands on such a system that are considerably more stringent than those placed by a conventional sedan, because body-specific disturbances such as wind gusts, for example, must be filtered out. The anti-theft vehicle alarm system even monitors the interior reliably when the top is down. The passenger compartment of the Volkswagen convertible is divided into two monitoring fields: monitoring is done using a differential method with one sensor in each door and side paneling; facing sensors supplement one another. One of the four sensors functions as the so-called "master" and the other three as "slaves". The "master" has a connection to a comfort control device over a bi-directional interface and triggers an acoustic and visual alarm when the interior is penetrated. Before the convertible is left, the system can be deactivated with a switch in the B pillar. A wide range of standard features; in the USA the open Volkswagen will be offered in GL, GLS and GLX versions and in Europe as basic and highline versions The list of standard equipment is especially long. There are country-specific differences because of the slightly different demand profile in the individual markets. Example USA: the New Beetle Convertible will be offered in GL, GLS and GLX versions. Even the GL version is characterized by features such as front and side airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors, power windows all round with convenient opening and a central button for simultaneously lowering and closing all windows, central locking with radio remote control, remote release of the trunk (plus emergency release on the inside of the trunk lid) and fuel cap, steering column with axial and vertical adjustment, cruise control system, air conditioning, Isofix attachment brackets in the rear for children's seats, seat height adjustment, easy-entry system for the front seats and the US "Premium" radio system. The specifications for the European version, to be introduced later, will be defined at a later time.