Volkswagen is known for its special editions, especially when it comes to the iconic Beetle. This year alone brings us the 2016
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Beetle Dune, a crossover style soft-roader, and this new Beetle Convertible Denim, while the Classic carries over from last year.
I doubt anyone in Wolfsburg remotely remembers long since forgotten (except by yours truly) Levi’s editions of the Chevy Chevette and AMC Gremlin, but like every Beetle model the Denim pulls inspiration from yesteryear and this one gives a nod to the oddly yellow Euro-market “Jeans Bug” of the ’70s. The Beetle Classic just mentioned took my memory to new depths, reminding fondly of dad’s ’66 Beetle, my bro’s ’69, and a ’72 Super Beetle left in my care one particularly good summer by a pretty young woman who went on vacation.
This Denim edition has two tires stuck in the past and the other set rolling along in the present thanks to equal parts ’70s-era Britannia, Howick and Jordache flares
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
(sans rainbow coloured pocket detailing) as well as any one of the 21 Men, American Eagle, Buffalo, Edwin, Guess, Jack & Jones, Hugo Boss, Mexx, Shine Original, UJ, etcetera straight legs that I pull on near every morning, not to mention my personal fave Philippines-sourced Hammerhead and Penshoppe brands. Most of us live in denim, so we might as well drive Denim too. That’s VW’s thinking, and I’m into it.
The Denim is only available one way, as a near top-line Beetle Convertible. You pass right on by base Trendline trim and forget about the leather-upholstered Comfortline before detouring around Classic White and Classic Black editions to end up at this Denim, a $29,350 model that comes in either the Classic White shade we just detoured around or as-tested Stonewashed Blue Metallic paint, both with
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
dark blue denim-style cloth tops, not to mention the same retrospective 17-inch Heritage alloys with chrome plated hubcaps as the aforementioned Classic editions, which, as you can see from the associated photos, are not what my tester has bolted on. Rather, these 17-inch Turbine-style protective outer covers, a great look that mixes new with old, can’t be found via the brand’s online configurator, the brochure, or even the printed press material VW Canada included, although a quick glance at the U.S. retail site shows they come stock with the base S and sportier SE model down there.
If I wasn’t clear earlier there are no available options with the Denim, additional standard features including a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual mode, metal
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
doorsill plates, ambient lighting, a leather-wrapped and contrast Ceramique stitched multifunction steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake lever, a monochromatic multifunction trip computer set within the primary gauges, VW’s class-leading 6.33-inch Composition Media proximity-sensing high-resolution colour touchscreen infotainment display with a rearview camera, App-Connect smartphone integration for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, Bluetooth with audio streaming, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD audio with satellite radio, an SD card slot, USB and aux plugs, three-way heatable front sport seats, an alarm system, and more.
No matter the exterior colour the Denim’s seemingly wearable interior is described by VW as including “Blue Brushed” instrument panel surfacing, which has a nice metallic look, a “two-tone Denim” motif that incorporates dark blue denim cloth door inserts, dark blue leatherette armrests, additional “Dark Blue Graphite” painted
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
accents, plus seat upholstery featuring denim-style light blue cloth inserts, white piping, dark blue leatherette bolsters and surrounds, plus dark blue cloth seatbacks and sides, not to mention more of that Ceramique cream-coloured stitching on the seats and sewn throughout the rest of the cabin.
While this initially seems like a decent description it actually misses the many nuances that make this Denim model special, such as the jean style change pockets sewn onto the inner side of each front bucket, plus the massive seatback “jean” pockets with crisscross red stitched detailing.
Having this much fun with a car might make a person concerned there’s nothing serious about it, but the Beetle Convertible Denim is too good for such sentiment. While
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
I could go on about the quality of interior switchgear, all of which is top rate, or delve into that aforementioned infotainment system which is truly one of the best in the industry, from its speed and ease of use to its brilliantly crisp and colourful graphics, plus the cool proximity feature that pops digital buttons onto the screen as your fingertips get near, and the kudos continue, not to mention the slick powered top that quickly lowers or raises back up again at the touch of a button, what I like best about this most recent A5-based Beetle is how it drives.
It’s based on the previous generation Mk6 Golf, by the way, which to those in the know should immediately give it street cred. This means, as is the case with all VWs, that its suspension is fully independent, handling setup is superb albeit biased a bit more toward comfort than all out sport, and specific to this car its 170 horsepower
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder’s get up and go is mighty, aided by a particularly swift shifting six-speed automatic with manual mode that makes the most of the engine’s considerable 184 lb-ft of torque. It’s truly a fun car through the corners while it’ll cruise down the highway at much higher than posted speeds if you dare, all the while mixing a comfortable ride with rock solid stability, the previously noted seats impressively supportive whereas even smaller adults relegated to the rear are provided adequate comfort. Fuel economy is rated at 9.6 L/100km city and 7.0 highway, which is quite good for such a nicely equipped sporty drop top.
As much as I like this blue jean Beetle a few of its features were a bit faded, the first issue being an audio system that was quite good with the roof up yet inadequately
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
powered when attempting to enjoy rock and dance tracks with top down at highway speeds. I’m guessing the standard wind deflector may have reduced wind noise to the point the stereo didn’t distort, but it’s a pain to install, takes up the entire rear seating area and therefore remained in the trunk. Ditto for the clumsy tonneau that requires more finesse and/or strength than my upper body was willing to exert in order to click into place, so I left it in the trunk too.
That’s a lot of trunk space robbed by paraphernalia that wasn’t used, especially noticeable with a cargo compartment that’s already on the small side unless comparing it to other compact ragtops. I should mention you can drop the 50/50-split rear seatbacks forward for longer items like skis should you want to take this four-season convertible up
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
to the slopes, where it should be quite capable as long as you stay on groomed runs.
I jest of course, although with all the active safety features that come standard, such as ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brakes, traction and stability control, and the list goes on, there’s little the Beetle can’t manage. Volkswagen received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for the hardtop version albeit no rating for the soft top as it hasn’t been tested, but standard pop-up roll hoops are included so it should effectively overcome rollovers as well as withstand the same level of frontal and/or side impacts as its hatchback sibling.
As for reliability, J.D. Power gives Volkswagen a just above average score in its 2016
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Initial Quality Study although below average marks in its longer term 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study that rates vehicles after three years of ownership, yet the brand did fairly well in the Consumer Reports’ 2016 report card on reliability by placing eighth out of 17 mainstream volume brands.
Beetle Convertible Denim buyers won’t care much about such cerebral concerns, this car developing more of an emotional attachment. I must admit to enjoying every moment behind the wheel, so possibly I’ve become too close to offer an unbiased point of view? If this is true then it’s more than worth its sub-$30k window sticker. After all, how do you put a price on affection?
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