2014 Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle was redesigned for the 2012 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Beginning with 2013 models built after March 2013, the side airbags were reprogrammed to deploy in small overlap frontal crashes. Also, the door and B-pillar structure was modified to improve occupant protection. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Structure

The driver space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 17 cm at the lower hinge pillar, and the instrument panel intruded 10-11 cm.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the instrument panel hit was low.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side as the steering column moved 12 cm to the right. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso, contributing to the head hitting the instrument panel. The seat-mounted combination head/torso side airbag did not deploy, despite the reprogramming, leaving the dummy's head vulnerable to contacts with side structure and outside objects.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2-door
Weight	3,030 lbs.
Side airbags	front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags
Wheelbase	100 in.
Length	168 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.5 L 5-cylinder
EPA ratings	22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

The Volkswagen Beetle was redesigned for the 2012 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen as part of frontal crash test verification.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high acceleration was recorded on the right foot, indicating that foot injuries would be possible. Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2-door
Weight	3,117 lbs.
Side airbags	front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags
Wheelbase	100 in.
Length	168 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.5 L 5-cylinder
EPA ratings	22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

The Volkswagen Beetle was redesigned for the 2012 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Beginning with 2013 models built after March 2013, the door and B-pillar structure was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.) The tested car was built after the modifications were made.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Passenger — The dummy's head was hit by the window sill and then by the pillar behind the window. According to Volkswagen, both surfaces satisfy the federal standard to provide some protection for occupants' heads.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2-door
Weight	3,034 lbs.
Side airbags	standard front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags
Wheelbase	100 in.
Length	168 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.5 L 5-cylinder
EPA ratings	22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted