Volkswagen US has announced the pricing of the 2014 Beetle 1.8T. The new engine replaces the 5-cylinder 2.5 liter unit and has the same power and more torque.

The direct-injected 1.8T has 170HP (127 kW) available at 700 fewer RPM and 249Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,750RPM. As you may suggest, the turbocharged engine is more economical than the 5-cylinder. The new one will return 33 mpg US on the highway with the 6-speed automatic gearbox, which is 4 mpg more. The city mileage is now 25 mpg US (from 22 mpg) and the combined fuel economy now stands at 28 mpg US.

The 5-speed manual gearbox will do 24 mpg US in city; 33 mpg US on the highway and 27 mpg US on combined cycle.

Other innovation is the new electric power steering, which replaces the old hydraulics one.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T is priced from $20,295 for manual and $21,395 for automatic models. The convertible is $25,170 available only as automatic. The prices exclude $820 destination charge.

Source: VW US