How much does a Volkswagen Beetle weigh? The Volkswagen New Beetle, which launched in the 1998 model year, is the original retro car, having beat the Chrysler PT Cruiser and BMW’s new Mini Cooper to the U.S. market by a couple of years.
While the original VW Type 1 “Beetle” featured an air-cooled, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine mounted behind the rear axle, the New Beetle of 1998-2011, and its follow-up, simply called “Beetle,” once again rely on a recent Golf hatchback platform, with water-cooled four-cylinder engines mounted up front and driving the front wheels.
And while that original VW Beetle was basic transportation that helped put Europe back on wheels again after World War II, the latest Beetles—in coupe and convertible versions—are style accessories, offering small-car owners quirky designs that make a fashion statement.
How Much Does a Volkswagen Beetle Weigh?
The Volkswagen Beetle weighs in at 3,045 pounds, so it is definitely not among the behemoth gas-guzzlers. Having a vehicle with good gas mileage saves you tons of money in the long run, so I get why you prefer a lighter car.
About the Volkswagen Beetle
The full Beetle lineup gets new front and rear bumper designs, while SE and SEL models sport new painted center-console and climate-control faceplates. The SEL trim also adds as standard equipment dual-zone climate control, a Fender premium audio system, and parking-distance control.
The Beetle has long been about special trims and paint colors, and for 2017, there’s a new #PinkBeetle coupe and convertible, which comes with Fresh Fuchsia metallic paint and special pink accents, inside and out, as well as other special equipment.
Making the Beetle Even Lighter
When you want to use your Beetle as a racing car, or you want a lightweight “dune” buggy you might want to consider how much a Volkswagen Beetle weighs, and how can I reduce that weight?
Some of the ways to reduce the overall weight of your beetle are:
- Take the rear seats out
- Change the glass windows out and install windows formed from plexiglass
- Remove any trim that is not necessary to hold parts on
- Buy wheels that are aluminum and lighter in weight
- Remove the passenger seat
- Get a carbon fiber hood and replace the original one
- Get a racing seat for the driver
- Remove extras like the carpeting, badges and emblems, headliner, insulation under the hood, and basically anything not essential to the operation of the engine
- Take the spare tire out
The Classic Beetle
Volkswagen started manufacturing the “Bug” in 1938. It was so popular that they continued to manufacture that model until 2003. That is the longest time that any make and model of vehicle has been in production.
The design for this iconic vehicle was created by Bela Barenyl in 1925. Bela was an 18-year-old student in Hungary when the design was submitted.
The VW Beetle or Bug
Volkswagen did not foresee that their little car would be so popular that almost every country would develop a nickname for it.
The New York Times is the reason why the majority of people referred to the automobile as a Beetle. Once the reference to a beetle caught on people started to call it a VW bug.
- In France, the little car is known as a ladybug or a Coccinelle.
- In Indonesia, they call the car a Kodak, which translates to frog.
- In Bolivia, they compare the car to a turtle and call it a Peta.
Engine, Transmission and Performance
With the new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four replacing both the base 1.8-liter turbo and the R-Line 2.0-liter turbo, the Volkswagen Beetle eases into aging car-model territory, with its retro style and relaxed attitude eliminating any pretense of being sporty.
The new 2.0 t-turbo makes 174 horsepower, just four more than the engine it replaces. The Beetle’s only transmission is a six-speed automatic, all the better to enjoy cruise night out, but enthusiasts will miss having a manual. The Beetle’s chassis is soft and comfortable, with plenty of understeer in the corners, though with good body control.
The suspension is well-damped and soft, and the steering precise. The Beetle Dune has 6.3 inches of ground clearance, 0.4 inch higher than the other models, and comes with a number of off-road styling elements.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
The Beetle is significantly larger than the competing Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500, so its rear seat has some useful space for adults, and the front seats are comfortable enough for people of all sizes.
The two occupants in front also get a good look at the retro dash, with its large, single-pod speedometer and two gloveboxes. However, interior space isn’t as generous as in the boxy, platform-donor VW Golf. You have to give up something in the name of style.
The interior of the base model is fairly well outfitted, and higher trims add such features as heated seats, upgraded upholstery, and dual-zone climate control. There isn’t a lot of in-cabin storage space, but cargo capacity is 15 cubic feet, about average for this segment.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The base-model Beetle comes with a 5.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, a USB port, an auxiliary input, and an eight-speaker stereo with CD player. Higher trims and option packages add features like a 6.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Fender audio system with satellite radio, and VW Car-Net connected service.
FAQs
How Much Does A 1970 VW Bug Weigh?
The 1970 VW Beetle weighed between 1760 and 1807 pounds.
How Much Does A 1964 VW Bug Weigh?
The 1964 VW Beetle weighed about 1600 pounds.
How Much Does An Original VW Bug Weigh?
The original VW Beetle was a lightweight car that weighed about 1,760 pounds.
How Much Does A 1971 VW Bug Weigh?
The 1971 VW bug weighed close to 1807 pounds.
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