Volkswagen Beetle R-Line Coming To U.S.

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The next aggro-microcar to make it stateside will be the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line, adding a little German juice to the battle between small cars with big power.

That’s according to Car And Driver, who reports that the Beetle R-Line will go on sale in the U.S. this coming Spring. Volkswagen sells a Beetle R-Line convertible in Europe, but only the hardtop coupe will make it to American roads. That’ll be just fine, if you ask driving enthusiasts.

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The Beetle R-Line is the latest in a series of small performance cars, as American buyers finally seem to be warming up to their combination of performance and efficiency. You don’t need a Mustang to own driving excitement anymore, and Volkswagen will be looking to take advantage after competitors like the Ford Focus ST and FIAT Abarth have warmed the market up to the idea.

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Volkswagen hasn’t released any specs for the U.S. version Beetle R-Line, but judging from the Euro edition, we can expect to see a handsome and buffed-up Beetle.

The appearance gets an immediate upgrade with a new front bumper and chrome trim on blacked-out air intakes, plus a special rear diffuser and aero skirts. Standard are 18-inch wheels, while 19-inch black or white wheels are optional on wider rubber. On the inside, a flat-bottom steering wheel and R-Line badges throughout the cabin distinguish the Beetle R-Line from the base car.

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The Euro version doesn’t include any power upgrades, but that could change by the time the Beetle R-Line finds its way to the U.S. We’ll be watching closely to see whether Volkswagen adds more grunt to the aggressive little insect.

 

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Extend the Life of Your Volkswagen

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So how many miles have you logged on the Volkswagen in your driveway? 5,000? 75,000? Way way more?

We asked Megan Closset, sales curriculum designer for the Volkswagen Academy, what you can do to ensure your VW keeps up as you rack up the miles—and look good doing it.

“The most important thing owners can do is to follow the Volkswagen recommended maintenance schedule,” Closset says.

With its Carefree Maintenance® program, Volkswagen makes it easy for you to get started on a routine you’ll stick with. That’s because for the first three years or 36,000 miles—whichever comes first—, scheduled maintenance services are covered under no additional charge. Oil changes, tire rotations and checks on system operations are all covered under the program,” Closset says.[1]

“And once your vehicle is out of Carefree Maintenance coverage, continue to have scheduled maintenance performed on your car and get regular oil and filter changes,” she recommends. “As your car ages, also keep an eye out for wear-and-tear items such as brakes and timing belts.”

Regularly check the condition of your tires too. Your tires are not only crucial to your safety, but when correctly inflated and maintained, they’ll also help maximize road handling and passenger comfort as well as extend the life of your vehicle.

“When your tires are properly inflated, they’re safer and help to improve your fuel economy,” says Closset.[2] “They’ll also help reduce wear on your vehicle's suspension, giving you a more comfortable ride.”

By now you know that your Volkswagen vehicle’s beauty is more than skin deep. But when your car looks as sharp as it runs, you won’t just find yourself smiling more—you’ll also be protecting its finish.

“Get regular washes. They’re best if done by hand or at a ‘touch-free’ service,” says Closset.“Immediately clean up debris, such as sap or bird droppings.” Sticky debris that lands on your vehicle can damage its clear-coat finish.

Volkswagen is also doing its part to help keep your vehicle looking like new for years to come, and the quality galvanized metal and exceptional paint processes are just the beginning. “Volkswagen offers a 12-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation,” [3] Closset says.“This is a limited warranty that helps your car stay roadworthy and looking good.”

“Everything you need to know to help keep your Volkswagen on the road for years can be found right there in the owner’s literature“ she says.“Take it out of the glove box and read it!”

 

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