Sector: Cabriolet Price (July 2013): €21,540 – €32,650 Fuel: 4.5 – 7.8l/100km CO2: 118 – 180g/km

The unveiling of the new Beetle two years ago at the 2011 Shanghai Show presented car buyers with a curious option – the second new car based on the same 1930s design, this one replacing the previous model.

In fact it could be argued that the latest new Beetle pushed into new retro design territory since it had also picked up design cues from the most famous Beetle-inspired model, the Porsche 911. Happily the new, new Beetle looked a lot better for it. It looks more sporty and more purposeful, adding further appeal. And once it had arrived it was only a matter of time before the cabriolet appeared – making its debut at the Los Angeles Show last November.

Lower, longer and wider than its predecessor, it features a larger boot at 225-litres and the rear bench now folds. The design team have moved the windscreen further back compared with the previous cabriolet, which is said to add 12mm more headroom in the back. The lined hood folds down at the touch of a button in 9.5 seconds and can be raised in 11 according to Volkswagen, a job that can be done at speeds up to 50km/h.

Retro design is not everyone’s choice, but the new Beetle has found a more distinct character than before, to my eyes, both inside and out. The interior feels more like the original Beetle with its flatter dashboard, but at the same time it’s a thoroughly modern design with the same position of controls that you would find in a Beetle or other modern Volkswagen – a pleasing effect.

Not surprisingly there is a similar wide choice of engines to that available in the Golf. Petrol options start with a 1.2 TSI 105hp direct injection unit and continue with the 1.4 TSI 160hp engine and the 210hp 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine similar to that in the Golf GTI. CO2 emissions from the 1.2-litre TSI are given as 142g/km, with 158 for the 1.4-litre TSI and 174/180g/km for the 2.0-litre TSI. The higher emissions are for DSG gearbox equipped models.

Fleets may be more attracted to the 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI diesels offering 105hp and 140hp respectively. 1.6-litre diesels are available with BlueMotion Technology,

giving CO2 emissions of 118g/km or 119g/km with the optional seven-speed DSG gearbox. CO2 emissions for the 2.0-litre diesel range from 134 to 145g/km.

Unfortunately the diesel models were not available at the launch event, but the 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre TSI engines have very different and distinct characteristics. The 2.0-litre TSI model comes with air-cooled Beetle levels of noise and, fun though that was – particularly with the DSG gearbox blipping the throttle between gear changes – I think that could be irritating after a while. The 1.4-litre TSI engine was a good blend of performance and low noise levels – much easier to live with on a longer-term basis. But for emissions-related tax conscious markets, the lower CO2 output diesels would be attractive too.

I didn’t set the roof against the stopwatch but like most modern convertibles, it moves through the opening and closing process fairly quickly while you hold the open/close button down, beeping to let you know that the process is finished. Once up – necessary during the UK summer showers that prevailed throughout our driving – the lined hood is surprisingly effective at masking noise. With four electrically operated windows and an optional screen set behind the front seats to prevent buffeting, you can have as much wind in your hair as you want, or not. Rear seat passengers would probably be more comfortable if they were small.

Verdict

Its retro styling won't be to everyone's taste, but the Beetle Cabriolet looks good, drives very well and is assembled with high quality materials.