The words 'diesel' and 'convertible' aren't uttered in the same sentence in the States. The original diesel engines were loud, stinky, and more often than not, resembled a smoke-billowing cigarette. Automakers would have had to be crazy to turn out a diesel convertible during that time. Nowadays, however, clean diesel engines are getting churned out like anti-smoking commercials and a source close to Volkswagen->ke94 has confirmed that the company is bringing the first diesel convertible to the US in the form of the new Beetle Cabrio TDI.

The 2.0 TDI engine delivers a total of 138 HP and has a fuel economy of 40 mpg fuel economy in the Highway cycle, 29 mpg in City driving, and 33 mpg combined. It will be offered with either a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed dual clutch transmission.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will feature the same new design line as found in the coupe model. That new design can be seen from the front bumper and front air inlet, the straight lines of the bonnet edges, the precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar, and the styling of the rear lights. The car also gets a lower profile, is substantially wider, the front bonnet is longer, and the front windscreen is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline.

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