1.4 TSI DSG Dune

Brilliant Summer Fun

In the summer of 2020, my partner's parents decided to move to the Charente region of France for a change of scenery and some good weather. Their 2009 E-Class had nearly 200,000 miles on it and, being the saloon, wasn't particularly practical so they decided to start looking for another vehicle. One of the criteria was to find something which could take a dog in the back and be practical enough to occasionally move bits around. We test drove the Skoda Kamiq for them, as well as the Scala and a few other crossovers which, given my in-laws age, seemed to be the most sensible.

So naturally, we settled for a convertible Beetle which was love at first sight for them: slightly higher suspension, lovely white paint work and a very cute and quirky look was enough to overlook any form of practicality.

But we weren't complaining. In fact, I don't think I've been more heartbroken about seeing a car go as
was when they sold it two years later after my father-in-laws passing. As a young man, he raced Lotuses in Scotland along side the likes of Jackie Stewart so knew a thing or two about fun driving and even in his 80s, he still enjoyed the thrill of open-top driving.

The Bug lent itself really well to this. The DSG is snappy and efficient and we rarely had issues with it, even at lower speeds around town. On flowing country roads in rural France, the car was an absolute blast with smooth handling and a very perky engine. Whilst my parent's Octavia, matted to the smooth and effortless 1.8TSI, had always felt quick, the 1.4TSI in this car had a rawer edge to it and encouraged you to drive with some enthusiasm. The leisurely 15 minute drive in the E-Class to the shops could be dispatched in half that in the Beetle, without ever really breaking the speed limit.

With the top down and wind in your hair, the car really came into its own and I can't really think of a better car to own for year-round fun motoring. Even on cooler winter days, a hint of sun was enough to convince you to drop the roof and have some good old fashioned fun.

Now, if you don't like attention and prefer flying under the radar, this isn't the car for you. Particularly in Dune guise, with all the chrome and styling upgrades, the car does attract a fair bit of attention - rightly so - and, if you're determined to go roof-down even in questionable weather, you certainly will see people stare as you drive past.

That said, on longer motorway journeys, you would do well to keep the roof up. The triple layer insulation works well to keep noise down and but there still is a fair bit of wind and road noise which makes its way into the cabin. That said, the cabin is plenty comfortable enough and coc***s you in. Despite that, you never really feel at one with the car like you would in a Caterham for example, but then you wouldn't really want to use a Caterham daily. Horses for course. So although you sit to some extent "on" the car (the back seats with the roof down really make the back feel quite far away even though it isn't), there really isn't a better daily for a couple.

This makes sense as the Beetle is based on the Golf. And yes, everyone will tell you the Golf is more practical, can take 4 adults easily as well as shopping and a roof rack but who cares? If you want or need a Golf, buy a Golf. If you want great looks, good fun and a capable daily convertible, look no further than the Bug.

I have no doubt that if we were to relocate to France, a convertible Bug would definitely be on the shopping list. For 2 people, I can't think of a car which gives you particularly more without compromising in some way.

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