VW Beetle Turbo, Jetta GLI get power increase

Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is getting a 10-hp boost; the engine is now rated at 210 hp while torque remains unchanged at 207 lb-ft.

The engine will be available on the Volkswagen Beetle Turbo coupe and convertible and the Jetta GLI sport sedan.

VW claims the new engine shaves 0.2 seconds off the Beetle Turbo's 0-60 mph time, which is now estimated at 6.6 seconds. The Jetta GLI now has an estimated 6.7 second 0-60 mph time, which is 0.1 seconds faster than the previous generation with the manual transmission.

In addition to the power boost, VW claims the engine also improves fuel efficiency by up to 8 percent in combined city and highway driving.

The fuel savings are gained from use of fuel-efficient direct-injection technology, and engineers cut 8 pounds off the overall engine weight via a thinwall crankcase casting, exhaust headers that are integrated into the cylinder head and changes to the bearings.

VW is also adding an R-Line model to the Beetle, replacing the former top-of-the-line Beetle turbo sunroof, sound and navigation package; the R-Line will carry a $30,930 base price, including shipping.

The R-Line adds more aggressive front and rear bumpers, 19-inch "Tornado" aluminum-alloy wheels, R-Line badges and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

The Jetta GLI gains LED taillights, and will be priced at the same $24,740 as last year.

The engine will be produced in a new factory in Silao, Mexico.

By Angie Fisher