THE GLOBAL CAR CATALOG

Volkswagen Beetle Specs, Engines & Dimensions (1997–2005) — First Generation

The Volkswagen Beetle’s Cabrio body brings open-air appeal, while the three-door hatchback offers an enclosed alternative. Beyond body style, the powertrain determines how much shifting you do and which wheels receive power.

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Volkswagen Beetle Engines and Transmissions

Volkswagen Beetle engine options include the gasoline Cabrio 1.4 MT, whose manual transmission gives you control over gear changes. The front-wheel-drive Cabrio 1.8 AT also uses gasoline, adding automatic shifting for easier driving in traffic. Among the hatchbacks, the gasoline 3.2 MT combines a manual gearbox with all-wheel drive, which can help deliver power to the road when grip is limited.

Cabrio — Volkswagen Beetle Engines and Transmissions

Cabrio Volkswagen Beetle Engines and Transmissions
Modification	Engine type	Engine capacity	Maximum power	Maximum power, kw	Maximum torque N⋅m	Transmission	Type of drive
1.4 MT	Gasoline	1390 cm³	75 hp	55 kW	126 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.6 MT	Gasoline	1595 cm³	102 hp	75 kW	148 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.8 MT	Gasoline	1781 cm³	150 hp	110 kW	220 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.8 AT	Gasoline	1781 cm³	150 hp	110 kW	220 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD
2.0 MT	Gasoline	1984 cm³	115 hp	85 kW	172 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.9 MT	Diesel	1896 cm³	101 hp	74 kW	240 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.9 MT	Diesel	1896 cm³	105 hp	77 kW	250 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
2.0 AT	Gasoline	1984 cm³	115 hp	85 kW	172 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD

Hatchback 3-door — Volkswagen Beetle Engines and Transmissions

Hatchback 3-door Volkswagen Beetle Engines and Transmissions
Modification	Engine type	Engine capacity	Maximum power	Maximum power, kw	Maximum torque N⋅m	Transmission	Type of drive
1.4 MT	Gasoline	1390 cm³	75 hp	55 kW	126 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.6 MT	Gasoline	1595 cm³	100 hp	74 kW	145 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.6 MT	Gasoline	1595 cm³	102 hp	75 kW	148 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.8 MT	Gasoline	1781 cm³	150 hp	110 kW	220 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.8 AT	Gasoline	1781 cm³	150 hp	110 kW	220 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD
1.8 MT	Gasoline	1781 cm³	180 hp	132 kW	235 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
2.0 MT	Gasoline	1984 cm³	115 hp	85 kW	172 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
2.3 MT	Gasoline	2324 cm³	170 hp	125 kW	220 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
3.2 MT	Gasoline	3189 cm³	224 hp	165 kW	320 N⋅m	Manual	AWD
1.9 AT	Diesel	1896 cm³	90 hp	66 kW	210 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD
1.9 MT	Diesel	1896 cm³	90 hp	66 kW	210 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.9 MT	Diesel	1896 cm³	101 hp	74 kW	240 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.9 AT	Diesel	1896 cm³	105 hp	77 kW	240 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD
1.9 MT	Diesel	1896 cm³	105 hp	77 kW	240 N⋅m	Manual	FWD
1.6 AT	Gasoline	1595 cm³	102 hp	75 kW	148 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD
2.0 AT	Gasoline	1984 cm³	115 hp	85 kW	172 N⋅m	Automatic	FWD

Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions

Cabrio — Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions

Cabrio Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions
Modification	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight	Max weight	Ground clearance, minimum
1.4 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1265 kg	1700 kg	130 mm
1.6 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1290 kg	1740 kg	130 mm
1.8 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1435 kg	1790 kg	130 mm
1.8 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1435 kg	1790 kg	130 mm
2.0 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1325 kg	1770 kg	130 mm
1.9 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1350 kg	1740 kg	130 mm
1.9 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1350 kg	1840 kg	130 mm
2.0 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1502 mm	2508 mm	1350 kg	1790 kg	130 mm

Hatchback 3-door — Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions

Hatchback 3-door Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions
Modification	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight	Max weight	Ground clearance, minimum
1.4 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1160 kg	1620 kg	130 mm
1.6 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1205 kg	1630 kg	130 mm
1.6 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1205 kg	1620 kg	130 mm
1.8 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1290 kg	1680 kg	109 mm
1.8 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1290 kg	1680 kg	109 mm
1.8 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1290 kg	1680 kg	109 mm
2.0 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1220 kg	1650 kg	130 mm
2.3 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1340 kg	1770 kg	109 mm
3.2 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1515 kg	1815 kg	109 mm
1.9 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1250 kg	1675 kg	130 mm
1.9 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1223 kg	1675 kg	130 mm
1.9 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1309 kg	1780 kg	130 mm
1.9 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1326 kg	1675 kg	130 mm
1.9 MT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1266 kg	1675 kg	130 mm
1.6 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1290 kg	1620 kg	130 mm
2.0 AT	4081 mm	1724 mm	1498 mm	2508 mm	1245 kg	1665 kg	130 mm

Volkswagen Beetle Cargo Space

Cabrio — Volkswagen Beetle Cargo Space

Cabrio Volkswagen Beetle Cargo Space
Modification	Trunk volume min
1.4 MT	201 l
1.6 MT	201 l
1.8 MT	201 l
1.8 AT	201 l
2.0 MT	201 l
1.9 MT	201 l
1.9 MT	201 l
2.0 AT	201 l

Hatchback 3-door — Volkswagen Beetle Cargo Space

Hatchback 3-door Volkswagen Beetle Cargo Space
Modification	Trunk volume min
1.4 MT	210 l
1.6 MT	210 l
1.6 MT	210 l
1.8 MT	210 l
1.8 AT	210 l
1.8 MT	210 l
2.0 MT	210 l
2.3 MT	210 l
3.2 MT	210 l
1.9 AT	210 l
1.9 MT	210 l
1.9 MT	210 l
1.9 AT	210 l
1.9 MT	210 l
1.6 AT	210 l
2.0 AT	210 l