A road test of a Volkswagen New Beetle Cabriolet is something of a paradox. Assessing its strength as a true driver’s car is like determining whether a new pair of platforms make good walking shoes. Yes the new open-topped Bug is a car, yes the platforms are shoes, but both are designed to be so much more. Who cares how they perform? The New Beetle cabrio is a fashion accessory first and a car second. Nobody is going to buy it because they like its 1.6 litre engine, or its electronic stabilisation programme. From a driving point of view, if any of that matters, you might as well buy a 1.6 Golf SE and save yourself £1,100.

That said, these days style and functionality are frequently combined: kitchen appliances come in every colour up to bubblegum pink and some home sound systems are stunning works of art. So the purpose of this road test should be to ascertain whether the New Beetle cabrio affords real style and genuine motoring ability, or is it an overrated looker with a token chop job? Of course, the style issue is purely a personal thing. Nevertheless, it is no Mini, nor is it a Mazda MX-5, or a Fiat Barchetta. These gorgeous little cars successfully combined cute with class. The Beetle just has cute, and rather too much of it. There is no denying its striking looks, but it can become tiring. Rather like too much smiling can make your face ache.

Cars like this should make you feel good, make you feel special. The Beetle somehow manages to boil the feelgood factor down to making you feel rather silly. Think Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini instead of Good Vibrations. But again it is purely a personal thing. Drive past any school at home-time and the Beetle cabrio will get a cheer, and nine out of 10 lorry drivers cannot help but give it a hoot.

It is surprising, though, to see that the silhouette of the cabrio bears a similarity to the old Type 15 version, which was built by design specialists Karmann. Despite staying in production for more than 30 years, the popular convertible “old” Beetle was ridiculed for its “perambulator” appearance. When lowered and folded back, the roof reached out over the rear like a pram hood and restricted vision. In the 2003 model it — now electric — also sticks out proudly over the boot, like a black plastic ring-pull or a monument to a design flaw that was best forgotten.

Yet there is no question about the new car’s integrity as a cabriolet — indeed, it was shown by VW as a concept car in this form. The build quality is neat and solid. The shutlines (the gaps where doors, boot and bonnet close) are even and stress free. And it feels sufficiently rigid to cope with the strain of losing its roof.

The 1.6 litre engine is smooth and quiet enough not to exacerbate the already noisy business of open-topped motoring, and the heater is more than up to the task of keeping motorists in Britain cosy when the hood is down.

The only real let-down is the boot — but that was already a disappointment in the hard-top version. Perhaps that was the deciding factor that pushed the scales in favour of the “pram” hood design. These days it is almost expected that a convertible will lose boot space to the roof, but the Beetle couldn’t lose much more. Don’t expect to pack more than a week’s shopping, or one suitcase in the back. Although in fairness, our photographer, his assistant, a model and all their equipment did manage to find some semblance of comfort in it on their drive to a photoshoot at the beach.

Overall, yes, the Beetle cabrio is a stylish little car. But there is a danger that once the novelty has worn off, its appeal will be lost, leaving nothing but its irritating chubbiness. Like the platform shoes, it will be utterly “in style” but only for one season.

That said, it is a great car to drive: the 1.6 version provides sufficient performance to have fun, its steering and handling are satisfactory and unaffected by the loss of a hard roof, and the stereo is worthy of recognition for its excellent sound quality, even on the motorway with the top down.

VITAL STATISTICS
Model Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet 1.6
Engine type Four cylinders, 1595cc
Power 102bhp @ 5600rpm
Torque 109 lb ft @ 3800rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Suspension (front) MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; (rear) torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Tyres 205/55 R16
Fuel/C02 36.2 mpg (combined)/ 185g/km
Insurance Group 11
Top speed 110mph
Acceleration 0 to 62mph: 12.3sec
Price £15,395
Verdict A delightful cabriolet but the styling could date quickly

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