It’s been like two days since Volkswagen unveiled the new generation Beetle, but already they’ve confirmed a hot ‘R’ version is in the works for 2013 launch.
They probably need that time just to come up with an R body kit for it, because for the technicalities they can use the Golf R underpinnings. In that case the Beetle R will be powerd by a 2.0 liter Turbo and something like 250 hp output. It’s not likely for the Beetle to get the R’s four-wheel-drive system.
The thing is, Beetle customer base are either girls, or guys who have no concept of performance or anything of the sort, because they like the Beetle! So a hotted-up sporty version makes no sense to them because all they want is looks and they can get it with the very base model. That’s what happened to the old Beetle RSi as no body bought it.
Another variant of the Beetle is also in the works and this one will sell like hot cakes. It’s the convertible version which should arrive in a year or so.
via: Car&Driver
Are you high? This is the worst article write up I have read in a long time!
“The thing is, Beetle customer base are either girls, or guys who have no concept of performance or anything of the sort, because they like the Beetle! So a hotted-up sporty version makes no sense to them because all they want is looks and they can get it with the very base model.”
That’s the
furthest thing from the truth. I would like a APR Stage III setup for my Turbo S if there didn’t seem to be a manifold issue. Also had they come out with the RSI beetle in the states, there would be more peope interested including myself, a girl, who likes performance. I am planning on keeping my current Turbo S beetle and modifying it more than it already is, and I am also excited to hear that VW didn’t leave the beetle “enthusiasts” out like they have for say the last 5 years! There weren’t any motor or trans options, all they went with were looks and a body style change to add to the promise of a Ragster concept they came out with in 2005. They literally stuck a tiptronic in every new beetle that has come out in the last 5 years…what kind of performance would you get from a 2.5 tiptronic? So of course it’s not going to attract very many people with a performance desire. The Turbo S seemed to be the last beetle the “manufacturer” cared to add any performance to. I have owned a MKIV GTI, another beetle and a few older watercooled VW’s and I still enjoy driving my bug every day! It handles better than my GTI did IMO. I agree with what was stated above…you must not know VW enthusiasts very well. It would be like me assuming that you must be a Honda driver. Have a great day!
I have to completely disagree with you about. If VW made an R version of the Beetle it would sell like hot cakes. With the older generation beetle, the car was so “cute” and had such a “fluffy” personality that it was no secret why it appealed to women so much. However, VW has a loyal enthusiast foundation, and the Beetle R would be right up their alley.
The redesign of the Beetle has already gathered so much of a fan base in the few days it’s been released. You can look on forums, auto blogs, everywhere… and the consensus will be the same… the Beetle Redesign is much more masculine, and MUCH more desirable, especially to men now. You can obviously tell who VW is trying to attract with this car… I have yet to see it in a color that doesn’t look like it was trimmed from a mens gym bag. In fact, from what I’ve seen, the majority of the people that have said “WOW, look at that beauty” have been men. Women that liked the Beetle before now seem to be ho-hum about it.
I for one would have NEVER under any circumstances have bought the previous Beetle. Now I find myself with my jaw dropped, just like many other men, and many other VW enthusiasts out there. If the Beetle R comes to the USA, I am proud to say I will put my name on a waiting list and drive it right off the truck when it arrives… and I’m sue I’m not the only man with that thought. You must not know VW enthusiasts too well…