VW has confirmed rumours of Beetle production soon ending with the announcement of the Final Edition trim available for the 2019 model year in the US. Production will end next year.
“The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades (in the U.S.-ed), will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.
Previous VW Beetle speculation
The U.S. market 2019 Beetle Final Edition will be available on both the coupe and convertible in two flavours – SE and SEL trims. Customers will have a choice between Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, and Platinum Grey colours along with two unique colours – Safari Uni and Stonewashed Blue. Convertible Final Edition SEL models will come with a soft brown top unless the car colour is Safari Uni.
All Final Edition coupe Beetles come with chrome treatments, body-colour side mirrors, and heated water nozzles, which are all standard features available on the convertible. SEL models get Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and fog lights. On the rear, a “Beetle” badge replaces the “Turbo” one. Both receive unique wheels with the SE getting 17-inch aluminium-alloy wheels and the SEL receiving 18-inch white aluminium-alloy wheels wrapped in whitewall tyres.
Inside, all Final Edition models come with push-button start, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps, and automatic climate control. The SE gets cloth and leatherette rhombus-pattern seats while the SEL offers diamond-stitched leather seating surfaces as standard equipment. The SE comes with VW’s Composition Media infotainment system while SEL models upgrade to the Discover Media infotainment system that also offers Fender premium audio.
The 2019 Beetle will have a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 174 bhp and 184 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available.
U.S. Pricing for the SE and SEL coupe is $23,940 and $26,890, respectively. The SE convertible starts at $28,190 while the SEL droptop begins at $30,890. All prices include the $895 destination charge.
Woebcken said there are “no immediate plans” to replace the Beetle. However, he added, “Never say never.”
Gallery: 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition
VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES BEETLE FINAL EDITION
Herndon, VA (September 13, 2018) — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will end production of the iconic Beetle in 2019. To celebrate the Beetle’s rich heritage, two special models will join the lineup for its last model year—Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL.
“The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “As we move to being a full-line, family-focused automaker in the U.S. and ramp up our electrification strategy with the MEB platform, there are no immediate plans to replace it. But as we have seen with the I.D. BUZZ—which is the modern and practical interpretation of the legendary Bus—I would also say, ‘Never say never.’ We’re excited to kick off a year of celebrating one of the true icons of the automotive world, with a series of events that will culminate in the end of production in Puebla in July 2019.”
Available in coupe and convertible body styles, the Final Edition models include exclusive equipment and unique upscale décor elements designed to send the Beetle off in style. Models also draw inspiration from the first-generation Beetle’s final run in Mexico, where the vehicle is assembled.
The 2003 Última Edición (last edition) models were only available in two colors—beige and light blue. Today’s Final Edition models will feature two unique colors: Safari Uni—a reinvention of Harvest Moon Beige, a color from the New Beetle—and Stonewashed Blue, a nod to the 1970 Jeans Bug and most recently seen on the 2016 Beetle Denim. Final Edition models are also available in Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, and Platinum Grey. Convertible Final Edition SEL models in every exterior color except Safari Uni are available with a unique Brown soft top.
Final Edition coupe models feature standard chrome treatments like the Última Edición models, in addition to body-color side mirrors, heated washer nozzles (all standard features across the Beetle Convertible lineup), as well as a sunroof. Final Edition SEL models are equipped with Bi-Xenon® headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), LED taillights, and fog lights. All Final Edition models replace the typical “Turbo” badge on the tailgate with a “Beetle” badge.
Unique wheels complete the exterior transformation of Beetle Final Edition models. Final Edition SE models feature 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a 15-spoke design. Final Edition SEL models are shod with 18-inch white aluminum-alloy wheels in a disc design that is reminiscent of the Última Edición’s body-colored steel wheels fitted with chrome hubcaps and whitewall tires.
Inside, all Final Edition models are equipped with standard KESSY® keyless access with push-button start, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with unique “Beetle” clip, stainless steel pedal caps, Climatronic® automatic climate control, gloss black center console, a unique Safari Uni color dashpad with the classic kaeferfach glovebox or “Beetle bin” that harkens to the color-matched interior treatments in the Última Edición, and three-color ambient lighting. Final Edition SE models feature cloth and leatherette rhombus-pattern seats, while SEL models offer standard diamond-stitched leather seating surfaces.
Final Edition SE models feature a Composition Media infotainment unit with a 6.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, Bluetooth® technology for compatible devices, USB multimedia port, SiriusXM® radio (three-month trial subscription), Voice Control, and Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect smartphone integration. Final Edition SEL models upgrade to Discover Media infotainment with navigation, Car-Net Security & Service, and Guide & Inform, as well as Fender® Premium Audio.
All 2019 Beetle models, both convertible and coupe, are powered a 2.0 liter TSI® engine that puts out 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. All models are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and the EPA-estimated fuel economy rating is 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined.
To meet the demands of American drivers, all Beetle Final Edition models offer driver-assistance technology. SE models include standard Blind Spot Monitor Rear Traffic Alert. Final Edition SEL models add standard front and rear Park Distance Control.
Pricing for the 2019 Beetle Final Edition coupe starts at $23,045 for SE models and $25,995 for SEL models. Beetle Convertible Final Edition pricing starts at $27,295 for SE models and $29,995 for SEL models. The destination charge for all Beetle models is an additional $895.