Beetle R Concept

The new Avatar of  Beetle in the R concept 

Painted in “Serious Grey” but by no means unobtrusive: virtually every detail of the Beetle R Concept promises supreme standards of performance. The design study presented at the LA Motor Show was developed by Volkswagen R GmbH and is notable for its distinctly sporty aerodynamic concept: the front spoiler painted in
“High-Gloss Black” takes the form of a flat splitter, a design that is widespread in motor racing. The front and rear bumpers are 30 mm wider and the enlarged rear spoiler with black separating edge produces ideal rear-end downforce.

This is the uprated version of VW’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo four making 270 hp (Golf) or 265 hp (Scirocco); expect a streetable Beetle R to use the same engine, and to pack a similar wallop.

The Beetle R’s racing-inspired shell seats are cool but probably show-car pieces; the inset pads are upholstered in gray nubuck. Otherwise, the R-logoed seats are wrapped in black leather with blue stitching and piping. The shiny black stuff from outside makes an appearance inside, too, on the dash and around the shifter. The IP has been R-ified, with the tach moving to the center ring, where it belongs. Finally, the pedals get aluminum caps and the doorsill scuff plates get an R logo.

You may have noticed that none of the aforementioned add-ons are particularly wild, and VW itself admits that the car “offers a glimpse of what a production version might look like.” Official confirmation of a production Beetle R and its U.S. sale should come soon, but we might have to wait awhile to slide behind the wheel—the Golf R was approved for sale here last December, and we have yet to drive a U.S.-spec version.