AJAX, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/28/12 --

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

When Volkswagen redesigned The Beetle for the 2012 model year, the car took on a leaner, more aggressive personality. At the Los Angeles Autoshow, the time has now come for The Beetle Convertible to undergo a similar transformation.

The 2013 Beetle Convertible shares the same new look and platform of the coupe and now incorporates a slick, fully-automated soft-top mechanism that opens up The Beetle to the outside world in just over ten seconds.

As in the sedan, the convertible's dashboard features body-coloured inserts, and the colour matching continues throughout the well-appointed interior. Ample space for four is augmented by a surprisingly large trunk, which makes The Beetle Convertible an excellent vehicle for day-to-day use and weekend getaways alike.

Power and control have not been overlooked in the redesign. The engine is Volkswagen's unique 5-cylinder, which delivers 170 horsepower and excellent fuel efficiency. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual override. Featuring a fully-independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, the car has been designed and tested with the Autobahn in mind.

The convertible includes all of the most modern safety systems including Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), which unlocks the doors, turns on the hazard lights, and shuts down the fuel system in certain types of collisions. Rollover protection is supplemented by reinforced A-pillars and two concealed roll-over bars which are computer-controlled, and activate in milliseconds.

Despite the addition of standard features like Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a rear spoiler, a 50/50 split rear seat, and more, the 2013 Beetle Convertible will be priced from $28,775, which is $1,800 less than the last Beetle Convertible. The best news of all is that it will arrive at Canadian Dealerships in time for spring.

About Volkswagen Canada:

Founded in 1952, Volkswagen Canada is headquartered in Ajax, Ontario. It is the largest volume European automotive nameplate in Canada, and sells the Golf, Golf Wagon, Golf GTI, The Beetle, Jetta, Eos, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Routan, and Touareg through 136 independent Canadian Dealers. It is the leader in affordable TDI Clean Diesel vehicle sales in Canada, and forms part of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and is Europe's largest automaker.

Visit Volkswagen Canada online at www.Volkswagen.ca.

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