Not much to differentiate the diesel-engine Beetle from the rest of the lineup. It's pretty much down to the thin chrome strip on the top of the door panels and TDI-specific 17-inch alloys.
The DFPs (diesel fan people) already register disappointment with the 2013 Beetle TDI’s kinda mediocre Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. There are plenty of gasoline-engine small cars fielding similar numbers, after all. But the latest EPA test procedure seems to hamper diesels, and many DFPs expect on-the-road economy to be better than the window sticker ratings.
The previous-gen New Beetle offered the TDI option from 1998-2006. It was a 1.9-liter job, so the engine's grown slightly to 2L. That previous-gen Beetle had a better EPA rating, though: 31 city/40 highway, demonstrating the sacrifice of the larger diesel and the larger proportions of the latest Beetle. If we were VW's U.S. arm, we'd have fought hard to at least wrangle a 40-mpg highway number, no?
A VW exec told us the Germans are anxious to see Chevrolet and the Japanese get into the diesel market, though, particularly the high-volume Chevy brand. The source said more players are needed to create some critical mass for diesels. Chevy’s coming next year with a diesel Cruze, and everyone’s anxious to see Mazda’s diesel effort in 2013 as well (we desperately vote for a CX-5 diesel).
Bill Visnic, Senior Editor
throwback says:
11:17 AM, 02/ 8/12
I don't know if VW would/could do it, but a hybrid Bug makes more sense to me.
boobylortez says:
12:19 PM, 02/ 8/12
You can't compare current EPA ratings to pre-2008.
06scooby says:
01:33 PM, 02/ 8/12
I have to say I really like the new new beetle. It's amazing how the revised shape pretty much killed the chick car image and I would be really tempted to buy one with the 2.0 turbo gas motor. I love the much more accurate retro interior too.