Topless Bug Only Weeks Away

Six weeks and counting - that's when Beetlemania will sweep the world again. Insiders at Volkswagen say the firm is all set to unleash this stylish cabriolet at the New York Motor Show.

Due to hit US showrooms in June, before going on sale in Germany in October, it is hoped the drop-top will shore up world sales and put the Beetle back in fashion.

Rivals will include the forthcoming convertible edition of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the MINI Roadster. British sales are expected to start at the end of next year. Given the appeal of the opposition, prices are expected to be very competitive, with entry-level cars costing around £14,000. However, basic models are expected to offer little in the way of luxury, with many items relegated to the options list to keep the sticker price down.

Spies also report that a manual hood will be offered rather than an electrically operated hydraulic system. Not only does the hand-operated roof cut down on overall weight, but it also increases the amount of boot space the VW will offer. The canvas top will be held in place by two clips when put down, and sit behind the rear seats on what was the parcel shelf. A smart tonneau cover will hide the folded fabric.

Safety will be key to the newcomer's appeal, with front and side airbags, ABS and electronic stability control all offered as standard features. Entry-level versions will be powered by a 1.4-litre 75bhp engine which will also be used in the hard-top Beetle for the first time, bringing new affordability to the range.

VW hopes the low price and frugal unit will appeal to young buyers who would struggle with the running costs of bigger powerplants. Next in the line-up will be the existing 101bhp 1.6-litre unit, and then the 115bhp 2.0 with either manual or auto gearbox options.

Topping the range will be the 1.8 T producing 150bhp, and it's this that's expected to be the most popular in the UK, picking up around half of all sales. Turbodiesel engines will be offered on the Continent, but British bosses have not yet decided if there's demand for an oil-burning cabrio here. VW's V5 and V6 engines won't be offered on the rag-top. The firm's chiefs hope the new car will capture the enduring appeal of the previous Beetle cabrio, which was an enormous success, with 332,000 sold between 1949 and 1980. Its Karmann-designed fully lined roof and glass rear window shamed convertibles costing twice as much.