IAA 2011: Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Ever since it became known that Volkswagen was developing the new generation of the Beetle, there were rumors about a high-performance variant wearing the 'R' badge. Earlier this year, the German company introduced the production model but the most powerful version was fitted with a 2.0-liter TSI producing 200-horses. Fast but not fast enough.
However, this may soon change as Volkswagen is giving us the clearest indication of its future plans yet with the unveiling of the new Beetle R Concept at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show.
Beginning with the exterior, the Beetle R Concept sports a subtly aggressive design with newly sculpted bumpers that were widened by 30 mm, and blistered wheel arches widened by 15mm per side that house massive 20-inch wheels in the same “Talladega” design found on the Golf R and Scirocco R models.
The study also gets a front lip spoiler, LED daytime running lights incorporated inside the headlamps, a rear wing that is significantly larger than on the production Beetle, a rear diffuser and “Black High Gloss” paint on the roof, the upper part of the bootlid connecting to it, the door mirror housings and door handles.
Furthermore, we also find ventilation slots on the right and left sides of the engine bonnet, and quad tail pipes at the back.
Inside, the Beetle R Concept gets a pair of bucket sport seats up front upholstered in black Nappa leather with “Space Blue” piping, while “Black High Gloss” was used for dashboard accents and decorative elements around the gearshift grip. There are also unique instrument gauges, plus aluminum pedals and door sills.
And now for the million dollar question: what's lurking under the hood? Well, while Volkswagen avoided giving a direct answer to that question, the Germans outlined their intentions by saying that the Beetle R is the third variation of the 'R' family after the Golf R (199 kW / 270 PS) and Scirocco R (195 kW / 265 PS), both of which use a 2.0-liter TFSI four-banger.
VW added, "as an “R”, the Beetle could demonstrate a performance potential similar to that of the Golf R and Scirocco R," which pretty much answers our question, meaning that if or rather when, the Beetle R enters production, it will most likely be powered by the same powertrain delivering somewhere between 260 and 270-horses.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

VW Says “More Masculine” 2012 Beetle will Appeal to Men

Volkswagen is confident that a higher percentage of men as well as younger consumers will buy the 2012 Beetle compared to its predecessor when U.S. sales start in September.
VW of America’s Vice President of marketing and strategy Rainer Michel told Autonews that “a more masculine appearance, including a higher beltline, and 20 more horsepower for the base model, should do the trick”.
While female buyers accounted for more than 65% of the previous Beetle’s sales, Michel believes that the percentage for the all-new 2012 model will be split between the two sexes.
He also predicts that the new model will attract younger buyers as well and that the average age of Beetle owners will fall dramatically from 58 to 36 years old.
At launch the Beetle will be available in the US with two gasoline engines: a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine with 170HP and a turbocharged 4-cylinder with 200HP. Prices will start from $19,765 for the 2.5 and $24,165 for the turbo.
Next spring will see the addition of a diesel variant while Autonews reported that a convertible model will be launched in the summer further increasing the Beetle’s appeal.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Volkswagen New Beetle With Black Turbo Launch Edition

The upcοming 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is being billed as a substantial departure frοm the cutesy car it replaces. And if yοu have been waiting fοr your chance tο put your name down fοr one οf the first examples tο hit the road, here it is. Called the Black Turbο Launch Edition, this limited-run Vοlkswagen will represent the first 600 examples οf the new Beetle tο hit American dealerships.

Packing a 200-hοrsepower 2.0-liter TSI inline-fοur with dual-clutch transmission, the launch edition is distinguished by such tοuches as 18-inch allοys packing upsized brakes with red calipers, a rear spoiler, fοglights, and includes an interior bundled with tri-cοlοr ambient lighting, Bluetooth and iPod cοnnection, eight-speaker sοund system, an extra glovebox, aluminum-allοy pedals and sport seats upholstered in clοth.

The special Beetle is the first mοdel tο use Volkswagen's new Vehicle Pre-Order (VPO) prοgram, available for pre-οrder online now fοr a $495 refundable reservation fee that will be applied tο the purchase price οf $24,950, plus a $770 destination charge.

Advertisements 

Read more In Cars