2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show

• Competes with: Mini Cooper, Fiat 500
• Looks like: Identical to every other Beetle
• Drivetrain: 140-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel making 236 pounds-feet of torque; six-speed manual or dual clutch automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: This summer

Volkswagen has had great success with its diesel lineup of TDI models, especially the Jetta and its 42 mpg highway rating. The Beetle TDI, however, is estimated to get 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway despite using the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel power plant as the Jetta.

We’ve been impressed with the redesigned Beetle’s interior space, quality materials and design but nonplused by its mediocre mileage. The TDI certainly makes it more attractive for the gas conscious out there while still producing an impressive 140 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque.

Pricing will play a big part in the decision-making process of the model, but the company says it won’t reveal the cost of the three trim levels until closer to the on-sale date this summer.

The Beetle TDI comes with more standard equipment than the gasoline Beetle base model as well as two additional trim levels listed below.

Would You Buy It? 2012 Volkswagen Up!

Historically, tiny cars haven't found much success here in "bigger-is-better" America. Change is afoot, however, as more micro cars hit U.S. streets. Smart's ForTwo may have been a flop, but Fiat's 500 is gaining some traction in the market here despite a weak debut. Is the U.S. ready to go smaller and is Volkswagen the brand to help us do it?

One appealing new model that just went on sale in Europe is the Volkswagen Up! Its tiny 139.2-inch footprint and too-cute styling could make it a hit with young city drivers. It joins like-sized competitors the Ford Ka, Fiat Panda and Hyundai i10 in Europe. Reviews from across the pond are favorable, but VW doesn't plan on selling it here. Is there a market for the Up! in the U.S.?

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI to Debut at 2012 Chicago Auto Show

We knew a diesel Bug was coming back to VW's lineup, and now we know when. Volkswagen has confirmed that the 2013 Beetle TDI will debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in early February.

We don't have any details yet, but we expect it to use a version of the 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel found in the Jetta and Passat. The previous-generation New Beetle lost its diesel engine for model-year 2007.

Volkswagen Goes to the 'Bark Side' in Teaser Ad

To quote Darth Vader, "The Force is strong with this one." Volkswagen is creating lots of buzz with its latest “Star Wars” based TV commercial, "The Bark Side," which aired on ABC last night and can be found on its YouTube channel.

The 60-second commercial features dogs barking the "Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)." Not content with a canine sing-along, the ad features the pups dressed as an Ewok and Chewbacca (naturally). There's also what looks to be a black Labrador retriever wearing Vader's unmistakable chest plate. The piece de resistance is the dog dressed as an AT-AT. Brilliant.

Volkswagen told AdWeek that "The Bark Side" isn’t its Super Bowl ad. " 'The Bark Side' teaser was created to hint toward some of the exciting elements and characters that will be in the Super Bowl spot."

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid: Photo Gallery

Volkswagen is expanding Jetta's powertrain lineup for 2013. Previously available as diesel and gasoline models, a gas/electric hybrid will join the compact's squad for 2013. It's the first Volkswagen sedan to get a hybrid powertrain; the Touareg SUV got one for model-year 2011.

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Volkswagen estimates the Jetta Hybrid will get a combined gas-mileage rating of 45 mpg from its 150-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine and 27-hp electric motor.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid: Up Close

While the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's styling leaves no question that it's not a regular Sonata, Volkswagen's new Jetta Hybrid could easily be mistaken for the regular Jetta. Or the TDI for that matter.

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Subtle updates include a blue-ringed VW badge on a piano-black grille — a nice look, to be sure — that's bordered by headlights with available LED daytime running lights. There are also some small hybrid badges, but the large hybrid graphic on the doors is strictly an auto-show touch.

Volkswagen E-Bugster at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

• Looks like: Some led-sled enthusiasts got their hands on a Volkswagen Beetle
• Defining characteristics: Chopped roofline, all-electric drivetrain
• Ridiculous features: Huge rear roof pillars
• Chance of being mass-produced: Count on the electric drivetrain making it to a production car

Volkswagen showed what a high-performance version of its Beetle could look like with the Beetle R Concept, and now it's fashioned an all-electric Beetle concept dubbed E-Bugster. The name is a combination of the American nickname for the Beetle and the word "speedster" — even though the concept isn't a convertible. No matter; the name is catchy.

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From the beltline down, the E-Bugster looks very similar to the redesigned-for-2012 Beetle hatchback. The roofline, though, is dramatically different, with a flattened design that gives the concept a chopped look. Wide rear roof pillars give the sides of the car a clean look, but they look big enough to block a large chunk of over-shoulder visibility. Flared fenders surround 20-inch five-spoke wheels.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

• Competes with: Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius
• Looks like: This Jetta's headlights have been bedazzled
• Drivetrain: 150-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine and a 27-hp electric motor with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late 2012

A longtime proponent of diesel engines as a way to save fuel, Volkswagen has also begun appealing to consumers' green sensibilities with hybrids, first the Touareg Hybrid SUV and now the Jetta Hybrid compact sedan. Available at dealerships toward the end of this year, the 2013 Jetta Hybrid will get an estimated combined gas-mileage rating of 45 mpg, Volkswagen says. That’s 1 mpg higher than the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. With the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an automatic transmission, the regular gas Jetta gets combined gas mileage of 25 mpg.

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In a break from other hybrid cars currently available in the U.S., the Jetta Hybrid has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine that makes 150 horsepower. Most hybrids have a normally aspirated engine. The four-cylinder works with a 27-hp electric motor. With this powertrain, the Jetta Hybrid can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 9 seconds, according to Volkswagen, and drive at speeds up to 44 mph on electric power alone. The electric motor is powered by a 1.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack behind the rear seat.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

After skipping model-year 2011, Volkswagen’s iconic bug is back for 2012. Along with shedding the “new” moniker in its name, Beetle also lost its girly image. It traded its bud vase and curves for edgier styling and more power, including a new diesel engine. Cars.com senior editor Kristin Varela recommends the Beetle for busy families looking for a zippy, fun-to-drive second car, but she warns that the backseat is tight and road noise is louder than expected.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Review

2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Passat Earn Five-Star NHTSA Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.