Although the Golf 7 is the star of Volkswagen's stand in Paris, it's the 2013 Beetle Convertible that everyone is waiting to see unwrapped at the LA Auto Show later this year. And for that occasion, the German car maker has sent us some photos and official specs.

Although the Paris Motor Show is happening as we speak, a close cousin in also in the news: the LA Auto Show scheduled for 18-27 November. Volkswagen will be unveiling its 3rd-generation Beetle there, but this time as an open-top version. This has been rumoured for months, and the latest news only confirms what we had thought. The convertible includes the same improvements as its coupe sibling—notably sportier, more dynamic looks—while staying true to its original Beetle styling. Longer and wider than its predecessors, it has a soft top that folds back and stores behind the back seats. What's more, it pulls out or collapses in just 10 seconds, provided you're not doing more than 50 km/h. With a flatter rear window than the coupe version, it offers 255 litres of cargo space, which can be increased by pushing down the back seats.

Under the hood, it has the same power plant as the coupe. The entry-level model is a 5-cylinder, 2.5-litre engine delivering 170 hp and producing 177 lb•ft of torque with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The next model up is a gasoline-powered 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine delivering 200 hp and 206 lb•ft of torque. And if you want better fuel economy, you can opt for a 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo diesel delivering 140 horses and 236 lb-ft of torque. These last two power plants are available with dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The new 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible will be unveiled in Los Angeles in late November, to hit the market in early 2013. Its price in North America has not yet been decided.

By Brian Oudart - autoExpert.ca