For all those who look at a Porsche 911 and see a gussied-up Volkswagen Beetle, wait'll you get a load of this.

The Volkswagen gurus at enthusiast website VWvortex were given early access to the new 2012 Beetle, and this is what they came up with: a visual makeover of the new bug that draws its inspiration from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, complete with bright orange 20-inch alloys on low-profile Continental rubber and a matching stripe with the words Beetle RS carved out, just like on the Porsche. The look is further enhanced by blacked-out chrome and badges coated in a 3M brushed-titanium wrap.

Behind those wheels are 14" brake discs from Brembo, but that's about the extent of the mechanical upgrades for the moment. VWvortex is apparently waiting for the car to actually hit the production line before it starts tweaking the engine, after which it plans extensive mods such as a turbocharger upgrade, new exhaust and even a locking diff, along with a GT3 RS-style rear wing to cap it all off.

Leftlane reported on a special hopped-up variant of the recently introduced Volkswagen Beetle, the Beetle R, back in April as leaks confirmed the model had neared completion.

Now, new reports are suggesting that the turbocharged Beetle R will likely make its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September, according to Car and Driver. It is still not known exactly how much of a boost the R will get over the standard turbocharged Beetle model, which boasts 207 horsepower from a 2.0-liter four-pot.

Rumors are suggesting that the 270 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter turbo found in the European Golf R might work its way into the Beetle R, but given the lack of all-wheel drive, expect the engine to be de-tuned to somewhere between 207 and 270 horsepower.

Other rumors suggest the Beetle R will be born first in closed-top form, but later followed by a Beetle R cabriolet model. Given VW’s propensity to offer countless variants of the Beetle, this is a likely prospect.

At Volkswagen, the letter “R” promises top-notch performance, a claim validated by the 266-hp Golf R and the 261-hp Scirocco R. In a world debut at the IAA in Frankfurt, Volkswagen is now showing a third variation of this sporty theme: the Beetle R Concept, based on the 21st Century Beetle. Like the Golf R and Scirocco R, the R version of the Beetle was also created at Volkswagen subsidiary Volkswagen R GmbH, located near Wolfsburg.

The Beetle R Concept is still a design study. Those who are familiar with the Beetle Turbo (200 hp) know that the car could offer even more performance, similar to that of the Golf R and Scirocco R.

A Beetle with juice

Visually, the Beetle R Concept, painted in “Serious Grey”, offers a glimpse of what a production version might look like. The concept is equipped with 20-inch “Talladega” aluminum-alloy wheels—the same design used on the Golf R and Scirocco R, although those cars wear 18- and 19-inch rims. R-design blue brake calipers are easy to spot through the Beetle’s wheels, which feature five triple spokes.

The designers completely reworked the front and rear bumpers, which are widened by 1.2 inches. In front, the bumper essentially consists of three air intakes, which are highlighted in contrasting “Black High Gloss”. The middle intake supplies the engine with air, while the outer two cool the brakes. The front spoiler, also painted in “Black High Gloss”, is designed as a flat splitter (with a chrome strip), just like those used in motorsports. To maintain temperature regulation of the engine within an optimal range, even under extreme conditions, vents are found on the right and left sides of the hood.

The rear bumper also has air exhaust vents that are integrated aerodynamically with a diffuser in the lower bumper area. Together with the rear spoiler—which is significantly larger than the Turbo’s—the diffuser helps create optimal downforce at the rear. A visual and acoustic highlight is the exhaust system with its two sets of dual chrome tailpipes.

On each side, the bumpers transition into free-standing fenders that are also widened by 0.6 inches per side. The side sills are styled in “Black High Gloss”; a high-end chrome trim strip is incorporated here. Also painted in “Black High Gloss” are the roof, the upper part of the trunklid connecting to it, the door mirror housings and door handles.

Super sporty interior

As is usual on R models, the interior also makes an immediate impression. In the front, the driver and passenger sit in motorsport bucket seats with what are referred to as Ergopads made of gray nubuck leather. The seats are upholstered in black Nappa leather. The R logo is embossed on the seats and the seat seams and piping are in “Space Blue”.

The “Black High Gloss” that was already used on the exterior is also found in the interior as well, used as a contrasting color for things such as the dashboard accents and decorative elements around the shift grip. The interior designers also styled the instruments to be R-specific. The instrument cluster, with its sports car-like central tachometer and the auxiliary instruments laid out above the center console are both modified here. The door sill plates are upgraded with the R logo. Meanwhile, brushed aluminum is used for all pedal caps. The fabric floor mats have blue and black double borders to match the blue-piped upholstery.

A new wind will soon be blowing in the open-top car market, created by a new Volkswagen: the Beetle Cabriolet. The car continues a unique automotive story: following the original Beetle Cabriolet (type 15), first launched in 1949, and the New Beetle Cabriolet of 2002, it marks the third generation of the curvaceous Volkswagen soft-top that offers unprecedented practicality and open-top driving fun for four.

Its unmistakable silhouette has made generations of the Beetle into cult cars. The fact that over 330,000 units of the original Beetle Cabriolet cars were produced from 1949 to 1980 speaks for itself. In creating the latest version of the Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the timeless design of bygone days and given the silhouette a sportier and more dynamic look. The combination of a flatter roofline and the more upright windshield gives the car a silhouette that resembles that of the legendary original Beetle Cabriolet.

The new model also incorporates design criteria of the modern Volkswagen line-up: the air inlet under the bumper, the flat contour of the hood’s bottom edge and in particular the tail lights show the close family ties. In the new Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen brings together modern technology and the highest standards of quality with the emotional legacy of the car’s ‘forefather’. As on the nostalgic icon, the headlights still have their classic round shape.

Another feature contributing to the special charm of the new Beetle Cabriolet is the traditional soft top. When open it lies very flat, enabling good vision to the rear. Despite its compact construction, the top is very wide and elongated in shape. It opens and closes entirely automatically (on all models) within around ten seconds and up to a driving speed of 30mph.

Included with the Beetle Cabriolet is a standard soft-top cover, which, if desired, tucks the opened top neatly away. Surrounding chrome trim accentuates the borders between steel and fabric. As in other Beetle models, the compact instrument panel with extra large round instrument cluster and several nostalgic elements, such as the additional glove box, create a markedly different design inside the new Beetle Cabriolet as well.

With its spacious and comfortably designed interior the Beetle Cabriolet is a fully-fledged four-seat vehicle. The trunk enfolding up to 225 liters includes a fold-down symmetrically split rear bench seat which allows transporting bigger items event when the roof is closed.

To provide added safety in the event of a rollover accident, Volkswagen has developed an active rollover protection system. It consists of two extendable modules fitted inside the vehicle in concealed fashion behind the back of the rear bench seat. If the car were to roll over, the two rollover modules would be activated via the central airbag triggering unit. Along with the fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within a matter of milliseconds. Another extra safety feature is front and head-thorax-airbags that are standard equipment.

The new Beetle Cabriolet will be available with seven engine options. The entry-level engine is a highly efficient 1.2-liter TSI, delivering 77 kW/ 105 PS. Right from the launch, the BlueMotion Technology version of this gasoline engine will also be available. The other gasoline engines are the lively 1.4-liter TSI and the 2.0-liter version, producing 118 kW and 147 kW respectively. In the diesel area, Volkswagen is offering the tried and tested 1.6-liter TDI with 77 kW (including as a BMT version) and the 2.0-liter TDI, delivering 103 kW.

In Germany, the new Beetle Cabriolet can be ordered beginning in November with prices starting at €21,350.

Forty years ago, the sportiest version of the classic Volkswagen Beetle made its debut. Called the GSR (Gelb Schwarzer Renner or “Yellow Black Racer”), the vehicle was based on a 1303S and was instantly recognizable by its color scheme. Just 3500 units were built and they are now collectors’ items.

Today, at the Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen of America, Inc. pays homage to that 1970s’ model with the world unveiling of the 2014 Beetle GSR. Striking in yellow and black, just like its predecessor, the GSR also debuts an uprated version of the award-winning EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder TSI® engine that generates 210 horsepower. This engine will be fitted to the Jetta GLI and Beetle Turbo during the 2013 model year, boosting their power by 10 hp.

With this new car, Volkswagen has re-interpreted the 1970s GSR for the modern era. The bodyshell of the 1973 Beetle was painted yellow, while the hood, trunklid, and bumpers were finished in matte black. The look was rounded out by black trim strips underneath the side windows and black rocker panels. Yellow and black link old and new: the body and the R-Line® bumpers on the new GSR are predominantly yellow, the hood is mainly black, and the trunklid, roof, and the exterior mirror caps are all black. The new car has yellow/black stripes with “GSR” lettering above the side skirts and a large rear spoiler to complete the look. The stance of the new car is very different, as it rides on 19-inch “Tornado” aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/40 tires, compared with the original GSR’s 15-inch steel wheels and 175-section tires, which were quite common even on sporty cars back then. The new GSR also features silver-painted brake calipers.

Then as now, the GSR features a unique interior with a yellow/black theme, sport seats, and a leather sport steering wheel. The new GSR is a lot more sophisticated, however. The black-trimmed leather sport seats and high-grip leather steering wheel both have contrasting yellow stitching, for example. Other interior changes include an R-Line dash pad, a GSR shift lever, a leather handbrake lever, and black floormats with contrasting yellow embroidery. A badge on the steering wheel is marked with the special-edition number (1 through 3500) to emphasize the uniqueness of the car.

Forty years ago, the Beetle GSR had all of 50 horsepower, enough to give it the requisite performance for a sporty compact of the time. But the modern world demands much more under the hood. The new GSR’s 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque enable the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically governed top track speed of 130 mph. Most impressively, the engine delivers peak torque from as low as 1700 rpm, giving smooth, effortless acceleration in all the gears. The GSR is standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a dual-clutch DSG® six-speed automatic transmission will be an option.

Just like its predecessor, only 3500 GSR models will be made—and more than half of those will be sold in the U.S. Since the GSR is based on the Beetle Turbo with Sunroof and Sound model, it comes comprehensively equipped with the Fender® Premium Audio System; a panoramic sunroof; Keyless access with push-button start; Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs; LED license-plate lighting; heatable front seats; Bluetooth® connectivity; a Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable; three-color ambient lighting; aluminum-alloy pedals; and three auxiliary instruments that include a clock with a stopwatch function and a boost gauge. The Volkswagen Beetle GSR will go on sale in the fall as a 2014 model; pricing will be announced closer to launch.

The Beetle is a phenomenon, regardless of where it shows up in the world: People are always happy to see this car, whether it’s the coupe or the Convertible. With the world premiere of the Beetle Dune at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volkswagen is giving the public the chance to see a Beetle with a cool offroad look.

The Dune concept shows the potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle ever. The concept is painted in “Arizona”, a yellow-orange metallic, with two-part wheelarch extensions that are offset in black. Like the Cross Golf, these extensions are rugged looking elements with a matte finish. There’s one subtle difference here, though: integrated on top of the main matte parts are 0.06-inch-thick gloss black “blades” that appear to hover above the massive wheel housings, because they do not make direct contact.

The wheel housings widen the body by 1.1 inches per side to give a total width of 73.4 inches, an increase of 2.2 inches over a stock Beetle. Overall, the Dune has grown compared with the R-Line model on which it is based. The overall length has increased by 0.5 inches to 168.9 inches and the car is both 2.0 inches higher off the ground and 0.8 inches taller.

In keeping with its wider body, the car’s front and rear tracks are increased by 1.1 inches at the front and rear to 63.3 and 61.9 inches respectively. As a result of the four-square stance and its reduced wheel travel, the 19-inch wheels and 255/45 tires fill out the wheel housings. Visually, the wheels look similar to the18-inch “Twister” design with their five aluminum spokes, black-painted inserts, and polished aluminum rims. The VW logo at the center of each wheel is embedded in a three-dimensional housing that’s painted in the car’s exterior color.

The wheelarch extensions transition into brushed aluminum sill trim panels, between which there’s a chrome-plated underbody skidplate. The top part of the sills are painted in high-gloss black and above them are side trim strips, again finished in a high-gloss black, that are reminiscent of the original Beetle’s running boards. The distinctive Dune logo, meanwhile, is placed in front of the rear fenders. The bottom of the door mirrors are in black, with the rest of the mirror being vapor-coated in aluminum.

Front-end design: The iconic basic design and Bi-Xenon round headlights were preserved, but the front end’s dynamic has been changed by the adoption of a new hood, which has a raised center section flanked by prominent air vents, which have a honeycomb appearance with a central chrome strip.

The front apron, which has also been redesigned, features a large central air intake, a typical design feature of the Volkswagen Cross models. The intake widens towards its bottom edge, highlighting the front end’s sporty look: the black honeycomb screen has a chrome-plated surround that morphs into the underbody protection.

To the left and right of the central air intake and the aluminum underbody protection are the foglight housings: trapezoidal in shape, they have gloss black frames and contain innovative LED foglights. Semi-circular, the LED rings have a matte finish, resulting in a uniform light band. Above the rings are three slender cross ribs and a narrow chrome strip that is 0.4-inches high and serves as an LED turn signal.

Rear section: The Beetle Dune demonstrates that it is possible to reverse the design maxim “form follows function”. This latest iteration of the Beetle would allow someone to escape wintertime by sandboarding in Florence, Oregon or skiing in Aspen, Colorado, depending on your preference. Anywhere skis or snowboards need to be transported, the Dune will happily oblige.

The skis are mounted to the outside of the trunk lid. To do this, the outer parts of the rear spoiler swivel; the skis are then placed in the spoiler, then it is closed to clamp them in place. At the top, the skis slide into a receptacle in the specially developed roof spoiler, where they are secured by an 0.8-inch-wide belt. The roof spoiler is painted in high-gloss black, like the entire surface surrounding the transparent panoramic tilt/slide sunroof. The meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in the skis for the concept car, which are painted in shiny black. The Dune signature and Volkswagen logo are offset in matte black. Even with skis mounted, the trunklid can be opened easily at any time.

The contrasting matte and gloss black theme continues on the rear bumper, with the surfaces around the license plate and the wrap-around extension of the wheelarches being painted in gloss black and the lower part of the bumper in matte black. The chrome-plated underbody protection also functions as a diffuser and integrates the twin tailpipes.

Interior: The Dune team also revamped the interior, with two particular areas of attention. First, the dashpad—painted in the “Arizona” exterior color—doesn’t have the classic “kaeferfach” (or Beetle bin) on the passenger side. In this car, it has been replaced by another classic original Beetle feature, a grab handle that features contrasting black soft-touch material with “Arizona” and aluminum accents.

Second, the entire infotainment system incorporates a digital interface with a high-resolution 7.7-inch touchscreen. An AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic LED) display is used to render extremely fine detail. The digital display of the car’s pitch and roll is a tribute to the New Beetle Dune of 2000, which integrated the functions in the main instrumentation.

The Beetle Dune Concept integrates the “Volkswagen Sideways” app—a program that proactively integrates POIs into the navigation system. For example, the touchscreen not only displays the types and numbers of restaurants nearby, but also whether your friends are there. Upon request, the navigation system can guide the driver and the Dune right to the restaurant. The Sideways app also integrates information such as the weather in the POI instructions, so the driver would not be guided to an outdoor swimming pool in winter, for example.

The seat design is sophisticated and sporty. The outer surfaces of the front sport seats and the two rear seats are upholstered in “Titan Black” leather, while the center surfaces are made of “Ceramique” colored “Gobi” breathable sport fabric. The leather and fabric areas and the front and rear of the head restraints have decorative stitching in the “Arizona” color.

Mechanically, the Dune uses the running gear from the Beetle R-Line. Underhood, there’s a 210-hp turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Combined with a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Beetle Dune has a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The car retains the Beetle’s front-wheel-drive layout and strut-type front suspension and multilink rear arrangement. As with all U.S. Beetle R-Line models, the electronic XDS® differential is standard.

Rumor has it that a new Beetle is coming in 2022, riding on VW's new electric car platform and likely gaining a set of rear doors.
Ever since Volkswagen announced plans to make a modern Microbus based on its new electric-car platform, we've wondered if the automaker would do the same with the Beetle. As it turns out, it might: Earlier this week, Autocar reported that VW is considering building an electric, four-door Beetle, and our colleagues at Car and Driver seem to think so, too.


Certainly, VW executives have a new electric Beetle on their minds. Last November, VW brand chief Herbert Deiss—a strong advocate for the modern electric Microbus—floated a Beetle EV as a possibility. He also said a future Beetle be rear-wheel drive, just like the original, and unlike the both versions of the modern, front-engine Beetle.

The current-generation Beetle will end production in the near future, and VW doesn't have a direct replacement for it. In 2020, Volkswagen will launch the I.D. hatchback, the first car to ride on its new EV platform, and the Microbus-inspired I.D. Buzz will arrive in 2022. So, if the Beetle were to make a return as an electric car, we probably wouldn't see it until after 2022 at the very earliest.

Speaking to Autocar, VW design Klaus Bischoff confirmed that his team has sketched out concepts for a four-door Beetle riding on the same platform as the I.D. hatch, but nothing beyond that. He says VW needs to focus hard on getting volume-selling EVs to market before it can consider a new Beetle.

The idea of a four-door Beetle is interesting. While a purist might prefer a two-door, the addition of rear doors could give the Beetle much broader appeal—the same way Mini expanded sales by introducing four-door variants of its own retro-inspired cars.

I knew that even though Volkswagen ended Beetle (including Beetle-dressed Golfs) production in July, they wouldn’t ever really be able to not build somesort of Beetle, and I think this announcement proves that to be correct. VW is partnering with German EV conversion company eClassics to do conversions of classic, air-cooled Beetles into EVs with modern electric drivetrains. The first one they’re showing is a 1973 Super Beetle convertible, and it looks fantastic.

The really interesting part about all of this is how they’re doing the conversions. Unlike other vintage Beetle (and Bus, and Porsche 356, etc.) conversions we’ve seen before from companies like Zelectric that use an electric motor mated to the car’s existing transaxle and batteries placed in existing luggage areas, the VW/eClassic conversion is using the drivetrain from VW’s e-Up! city car.

From what I can see from VW’s press pictures, it appears that the whole e-Up! transverse drivetrain has been transplanted to the back of the VW chassis, replacing the whole longitudinal transaxle/engine setup.

It’s a very nice, tidy setup, and the e-Up!’s power pack fits remarkably well in the back of the Beetle. I can see that some extra motor mounts and supports have been added to the rear torsion tube housing, and the frame “horns” that once carried the transaxle have been cut off. New rear shock absorber mounts seem to be added as well.

The drivetrain, being transverse, is a bit shorter than the original transaxle/flat-four setup, so its weight is more focused over the axle line, and as such is less of an “outboard” motor, which will likely improve handling a good bit.

Not only that, the engine package is so compact, the former engine compartment is freed up for use as a second trunk! I’m not exactly sure how you access the engine, though—it seems to take up the area of the old interior rear luggage well, so maybe via pulling down the back seat?

Compared to other Beetle EV conversions, the battery installation is significantly better—instead of eating up the front trunk and rear luggage well, the batteries have been integrated into the Beetle’s platform chassis. There’s 14 battery modules, each making 2.6 kWh, for a total of 36.4 kWh.

The power is significantly better than an original Beetle as well; here’s VW’s rundown on the specs:

So, let’s see what we have here—the electric motor makes just over 80 horsepower (fantastic for an old Beetle), and even though it’s over 1,000 pounds heavier at 2,821 pounds, but it’ll get to over 30 mph in under four seconds, to 50 in eight seconds, and I suppose 60 in a bit more than that. VW says it’ll do a 93 mph top speed, also better than the original.

The range those 14 batteries is about 124 miles—not amazing by current standards, but certainly not bad, especially for what is really a 1930s design converted to an EV.

VW suggests that the same e-Up!-based conversion method should work on Buses or even a Porsche 356—really, any of VW’s air-cooled vehicles should work, since they all used effectively the same basic transaxle setup. So a Type 3 Squareback could get the EV treatment or a Ghia or even a Brasilia or whatever. A Type 4 may be a bit trickier, but I bet not much.

Of course, they restored and upgraded everything else about the car, too, and the manner which they handled the aesthetics I think is great.

Body modifications have been kept to a minimum, with the only real visual clues being the skirt under the running board that I believe is part of the battery housing setup, but also may have some aero benefit as well. It looks cool, too.

This car appears to be a 1973 curved-windshield Super Beetle (1303), though it does have the older taillights used from 1968 to 1970. These taillights hide a neat little trick, though, as the right-side light lifts to reveal the charging port.

Are they hiding any cooling units behind the vented front valance? I like those sealed-beam replacement units, too. I’d love to see this thing up close. Remind me to pester VW’s PR people about that.

The rear is sort of odd-looking to old-school VW nerds because of the lack of any cooling vents at all. It makes sense, as they’re not needed in this context, but it’s still oddly jarring.

One minor complaint, though: see those three dots under the e-Käfer decal? That’s where the old VOLKSWAGEN badge would have been mounted. After all this work, they couldn’t have filled in those holes? It seems like a weirdly minor thing they could have done instead of just plugging them with what looks like black rubber plugs.

VW hasn’t released any pricing or availability information yet for their conversion service, but based on the quality of this conversion and the associated restoration and the significant changes made to the chassis, I suspect it will not be cheap.

I’d love to do this to my old Beetle, kinda, but I don’t know if I can grow and sell enough kidneys in time. Overall, I think this is a great move for VW, at least until they wise up and make a modern, MEB-based mass-market EV Beetle.

So many Beetles were built that I think it’s just fine to convert a good number of them to EVs. And, if you have the money, this looks to be a pretty amazing conversion.