Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Beetle Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Beetle has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Beetle shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Beetle's Front Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1510 kgs (3328 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Beetle shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 1700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Beetle you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T (155.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Beetle.

The Volkswagen-VW Beetle has a Power to weight ratio of 130.4 bhp per ton and 137.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Beetle competing with the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T (155.4 bhp per ton) or the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (155.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Beetle generating around 137.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Peugeot 405 T16 2.0 Turbo (161.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (161.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Beetle and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Beetle on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.8 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Beetle equals the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (150 mph), or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (150 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Beetle Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison