2013 VW Beetle Convertible Rated Most Economical Drop-top

Ganny | August 7, 2012 | 0 Comments

The new EPA ratings for the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible turbocharged direct injection, manual transmission are out and it is officially the most fuel efficient drop-top model. The turbocharged, 200 bhp, six speed manual transmission model will deliver 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30mpg on the highway, an average figure of 24 mpg with city-highway combined. If you want even better saving, you could go for the slightly less powerful, 140 bhp Beetle TDI convertible, six speed manual transmission model, which will give a mileage of 28 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway and an average of 32 mpg combined.

EPA ratings for the Beetle Coupes have also been released. The Beetle with the turbo 2.0-liter engine has a rated fuel economy of 21 on city roads and 30 mpg on the highway, same as the Beetle TDI Convertible manual. The Beetle TDI Coupes on the other hand have a rating of 29 mpg for city and 39 mpg for the highway. EPA ratings for Beetle convertibles with automatic transmission has not been released yet.

Here is how the VW Beetle figures compare against some of the other similar drop-top models.

“The Volkswagen Eos powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as the Beetle Turbo mated to an automatic transmission is rated 22/30 mpg.

The Mazda Miata is rated 22/28 mpg when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. Roadsters equipped with the six-speed manual or automatic are rated 21/28 mpg.

Mini Cooper Roadsters are rated 27/35 mpg whether equipped with manual or automatic transmissions. S models with manuals achieve the same fuel economy rating of non-S models while automatic S models are rated 26/34 mpg. John Cooper Works drop-tops are rated 25/33 mpg and are mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Fiat 500C is EPA-estimated 27/32 mpg with the six-speed automatic transmission.

The Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is rated 34/38 mpg with its automatic transmission.

The Chrysler 200 convertible powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 18/29 mpg. Stepping up to the 3.6-liter V-6 engine increases city fuel economy by one mpg and matches the 2.4-liter’s highway rating. All Chrysler 200 models use a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Ford Mustang V-6 convertible is rated 19/31 mpg with a six-speed automatic.

The Chevrolet Camaro V-6 convertible is EPA-rated 18-19/27-30 mpg with the automatic transmission. Manual-equipped cars are rated 17/28 mpg.”

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