1998-2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Specs & Safety

Detailed safety information for this generation Volkswagen New Beetle include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA. Specs for this generation Volkswagen New Beetleinclude everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	98.9

Overall Length, in.	161.1

Overall Width, in.	67.9

Overall Height, in.	59.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	2712

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.0-18.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	41.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	39.4

Rear Head Room, in.	34.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Three engines have been available under New Beetle hoods. The base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder makes 115 horsepower. A 1.9-liter turbodiesel went into TDI models, rated at 90 horsepower. In 1999, a high-performance turbocharged gas engine became available, whipping up 150 horses. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic might be installed. New in 2002 was a Turbo S model that used a 180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged 4 cyl and introduced to the line a 6-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic transmission became available in 2005.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	2.0 / 121	115	122	5-speed manual: 23/29 4-speed automatic: 22/27 6-speed automatic: --	5-speed manual: 26.4 4-speed automatic: -- 6-speed automatic: --

Turbodiesel ohc I4	1.9 / 116	90	149-155	5-speed manual: 41/48 4-speed automatic: 34/44 6-speed automatic: --	5-speed manual: 42.1 4-speed automatic: -- 6-speed automatic: --

Turbocharged dohc I4	1.8 / 109	150	155-162	5-speed manual: 25/31 4-speed automatic: 23/27 6-speed automatic: --	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 22.7 6-speed automatic: --

Turbocharged dohc I4	1.8 / 109	180	173	6-speed manual: 23/30 6-speed automatic: --	6-speed manual: -- 6-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 New Beetle

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Mexico

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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