Review: Volkswagen A5 Beetle (2013-16)

Overview

Released in February 2013, the Volkswagen A5 Beetle was a small, three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Puebla, Mexico, the front-wheel drive VW Beetle was powered by a 1.4-litre ‘twincharged’ (i.e. turbo- and super-charged) four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or double clutch transmission (DCT).

1.4 TSI engine

The Beetle’s 1.4-litre engine had an Eaton-Roots-type positive displacement supercharger, a KKK turbocharger with an integrated wastegate (connected in series), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. The belt-driven supercharger would operate from engine speeds just above idle to 2400 rpm and provide peak boost pressure of 1.2 bar to increase low-end torque. For mid-range engine speeds, the turbocharger would commence operation – with maximum boost pressure of 2.5 bar – as the supercharger would be completely disengaged by 3500 rpm.

Dimensions and body

The A5 Beetle was based on Volkswagen’s PQ35 platform which also underpinned the Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf . Compared to the Mk.6 Golf, however, the Beetle was 79 mm longer (at 4278 mm), 29 mm wider (1808 mm), 7 mm taller (1486 mm) and had a 41 mm shorter wheelbase (2537 mm). Furthermore, the Beetle’s body had torsional rigidity of 26,000 Nm per degrees. Inside, cargo capacity for the Beetle was 310 litres, though this increased to 905 litres when the rear seats were folding down.

Suspension

The Volkswagen A5 Beetle had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and independent, four-link rear suspension with coil springs. Both front and rear suspension included anti-roll bars. Furthermore, the Beetle was fitted with an electronic differential lock which could brake the inside wheel when cornering to reduce understeer.

Steering

The Volkswagen A5 Beetle had electromechanical, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen A5 Beetle included dual front airbags, front side airbags (with head and thorax protection), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2011 VW Beetle received a five star safety rating which included a 92 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 90 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s chest and legs was rated as adequate, while head and foot protection was rated as good. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test and, in the more severe pole test, head protection was rated as adequate.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.28 out of 37.

Features: VW Beetle

Standard features for the Volkswagen Beetle included 17-inch ‘Rotor’ alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB) and Bluetooth connectivity (including audio streaming), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, black cloth upholstery, front and rear parking sensors (with an optical display), 50/50 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Beetle was also available with two extra-cost optional packages –

• The Technology Package included bi-xenon headlights, daytime LED driving lights, proximity key, power folding mirrors and tyre pressure monitoring; and,
• The Sport Package included 18-inch ‘Twister’ alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, sports instruments on the dashboard and, for models with the double clutch transmission, steering wheel gearshift paddles.

MY16 Beetle

In July 2016, standard features for the VW Beetle were extended to include a 6.5-inch ‘Composition Media’ high-resolution touch screen display, ‘App-Connect’ USB interface for enhanced smartphone connectivity (including access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink) and a rear view camera.

Furthermore, the ‘Discover Media’ system with satellite navigation was introduced as an individual option and Blue Silk Metallic was available as a paint finish.

2013 Beetle Fender edition

The limited-run VW Beetle Fender Edition was released in June 2013. Compared to the standard Beetle, the Fender Edition was distinguished by its 18-inch ‘Disc’ alloy wheels, 400 watt sound system with a ten-channel amplifier, bi-xenon headlights and daytime LED running lights. Inside, the Fender edition featured contoured sports seats with leatherette trim, Sioux Brown decorative stitching on the leather steering wheel, ambient lighting (in white, red and blue) and the dashboard is finished in a two-tone ‘Sunburst’ wood design reminiscent of the Fender guitar. Visually, the Fender Edition could be identified by its chrome highlights for the door mirrors, side sill inserts and the strip below the side windows and ‘Fender’ signs on the front wings.

Beetle R-Line

From October 2014, the VW Beetle was available with an optional R-Line package which included 18-inch ‘Twister’ alloy wheels and sports instrumentation which displayed boost pressure, oil temperature and a stopwatch; models with DCTs were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles. The Beetle R-Line could be identified by its unique bumpers and ‘R-Line’ badges.

Brochure

• Brochure: Volkswagen A5 Beetle (July 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Volkswagen A5 Beetle (October 2014)
• Volkswagen Australia: Volkswagen Beetle
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen A5 Beetle