Volkswagen to Offer Diesel Beetle Starting in August
Volkswagen, the current market leader in U.S. diesel sales, will offer a diesel model of the Beetle and will debut the Beetle TDI (which stands for “turbocharged direct injection”) at the Chicago Auto Show next week.
The Beetle TDI is expected to offer 29 mpg (8.11 l/100 km) in city driving and 39 mpg (6 l/100 km) on the highway.
It will be offered as a 2013 model and is the first diesel Beetle (Käfer in German) since 2006.
Buyers will have a choice of a six-speed manual or dual-clutch DSG transmission as well as three trim levels.
Volkswagen offers diesel engines in its Golf, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, and Touareg models and more than 20% of buyers opt for the oilburner.