Friday 18th November 2011

LA Show: VW

265hp Beetle R likely to get the green light says VW

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Still want that Scirocco R? Possibly yes, actually

The Beetle R concept has taken a step closer to production reality after crossing the pond for its Stateside debut at the LA show. First shown as a pure concept at Frankfurt earlier in the year the idea of a hot Beetle has obviously gone down well and a VW insider told us that, quote, "if I were a betting man" he'd be happy putting money on it becoming a reality.

There have been super hot Beetles before of course, the Golf R32-based, previous generation Beetle RSI we drove recently in our Forgotten Hot Hatches grouptest giving the old-shape Beetle (well, new-old shape) real bite. These were rare beasts but the new Beetle R would be a proper production model to sit alongside its Golf and Scirocco equivalents.

As such it would most likely run the previous generation EA113 2.0 TSI turbo engine used in the Golf R, Scirocco R, SEAT Leon Cupra R and Audi S3. In front-wheel drive applications this delivers 265hp and given that the Mexican plant where the Beetle is built is currently configured for this it's safe to assume the Beetle R will be front-driven like the Scirocco R rather than four-wheel drive like the Golf R.

Does my bum look 30mm wider in this? Er...

30mm wider than the standard Beetle, the R concept boasts 20-inch Talledega alloys similar to those fitted to its Golf and Scirocco equivalents. Blue brake callipers, another R trademark, are also included. Bonnet vents up front and a big spoiler out back are among the new features but the overall effect is, in keeping with the R ethos, relatively discreet. Whether the fixed racing seats and dash-top trio of gauges make production is another matter.

With the TT as well the Beetle R would be battling for a fairly narrow niche among in-house rivals, let alone on the wider market, and pricing and positioning will be crucial. With a manual Scirocco R costing £29,745 and the equivalent three-door Golf R £31,420 the Beetle R would probably slot in between this and the £35,605 Audi TT S.

 

[pSyCoSiS]

Thats actually a nice looking car.

The colour really suits it, and it looks more grown up, compared to the previous one.

[EclypseDesigns]

pSyCoSiS said:

Thats actually a nice looking car.

The colour really suits it, and it looks more grown up, compared to the previous one.

You'll find what you need Here: http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/

j/k

[thewheelman]

Fugly! Luckily we don't see many of the previous generation Beetle around, & i hope this befalls the same fate.

[George H]

I wouldn't have it over a Golf or Scirocco, but it's quite a nice looking thing. I really like the rear 3/4 view. The chrome looking alloys let it down somewhat though.

[uncle tez]

George H said:

I wouldn't have it over a Golf or Scirocco, but it's quite a nice looking thing. I really like the rear 3/4 view. The chrome looking alloys let it down somewhat though.

I would, i think it looks alot better looking than the golf and scirocco

[LuS1fer]

you'd need to be very butch to drive it.

[soad]

Girly car on steroids anyone?
Erm, must expect to sell a few fair then. Thirty grand+ for one though.

[Frimley111R]

Its the right idea, just a poor execution. Look what the Cooper/Cooper S and Abarth badges have done for the MINI/500. The Beetle needs this but I think its too grown up, it needs a GTI touch, not a VR6 touch.

[Hammerhead]

uncle tez said:

I would, i think it looks alot better looking than the golf and scirocco

+1

[kayzee]

Suprisingly, I really like that! If the wheels were anthracite it would be perfect... the front lights and bonnet vents look good, need to see more pictures really.

[Quacker]

I quite like it, much better than the older-new shape... Can't see myself walking into a showroom, past a Sirocco R, past a Golf R and opting to throw £30k at one of these though.

For me the bonnet vents are reminiscent of the sprinter-type vents people were welding into their early 90s Golf wings. Or a those crummy 206 bonnet vents. Not a fan of those.

Edited by Quacker on Friday 18th November 10:34

[LuS1fer]

This si the only fast Beetle that ever made sense...

[thewheelman]

LuS1fer said:

This si the only fast Beetle that ever made sense...

I used to enoy the Herbie films as a kid, then for some unknown reason, on a cold bank holiday, i saw the Lindsay Lohan remake. It killed it for me, all the way through it i couldn't help thinking that she'd be sticky & smell of bins.

[Dr Interceptor]

I'm a big Beetle fan - the old one that is! Loved the herbie films, even have some original Movie posters for them, and still watch them occasionally.

I hated the 1st Gen New Beetle! Ghastly thing.

This new one though - I like it. I like it a lot.

[Sir_Dave]

Looks like a short, fat 911.

[russellwatson17]

I like it.

[14-7]

Not for me, never liked them and probably never will no matter what engine they stick in it.

[tomv1to]

It would make a lot more sense and be a lot more exciting if they made it rwd. It would also complete the R line up as they have AWD and FWD cars already.

[LuS1fer]

I can see this being the new "TT" for girls who think the new TT isn't as cute as the old one.

[Powerrr]

I like that!

I agree it could be the new TT for the girls and posers.

DOnt like the back wiindow thing though, needs seperated from the roof.