Fashion trends tend to be cyclical, which is why if you look around any metropolitan area right now, you’ll likely see folks decked out in vintage threads, neck scarfs, loafers, and bow ties. In the ‘70s, denim was the real cat’s meow, and whether it was frayed, embroidered, or bell-bottomed, Volkswagen wanted to capitalize.
In September of 1973, VW introduced the first Jeans Beetle, a special edition model lathered in blue jean cloth. The kids loved it. Nearly a half-century later at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the German brand premiered an updated concept version as a tribute, echoing the pop culture resurgence of casual chic and hippie garb. Now, the company is prepping to unleash 2,000 units of the 2016 Beetle Convertible Denim, which starts at $25,995.
Based on the Beetle Convertible, the limited edition features a light blue denim-ish material on the seats, with color-matched trim on the dash, center console, and doors. The seats feature “jeans-inspired” pockets on the sides as well, a nice design touch that will inevitably house countless gum wrappers and receipts for years to come.
Mechanically, the vehicle is unchanged from the standard droptop, which equips a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that develops 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That power meets the pavement by way of a six-speed automatic gearbox, the only transmission available. As standard, the topless Beetle Denim comes with Volkswagen’s MIB II infotainment unit and a 5.0-inch touchscreen display.
On a more formal note, Volkswagen is likely planning a new hybrid hatchback dubbed the XL3. Aimed at the fuel-sipping Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq, the sleek hatchback could return up to 80 mpg in a mixed European cycle, which is a good step toward putting Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal behind it. For more on the XL3, click here.
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