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Cars > Volkswagen > Volkswagen Beetle R Concept 2012

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Image Copyright: Volkswagen

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept 2012

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. [Picture Update: Nov 23, 2011]

The Beetle as a sports car:
USA premiere of the Beetle R Concept design study

Beetle R Concept has customised front and rear styling and 20-inch wheels
Sport seat system of Beetle R Concept is upholstered in luxurious Nappa leather

Wolfsburg / Los Angeles, 16 November 2011 - At Volkswagen, the letter ‘R’ as an added identifier promises top-notch performance. Currently, this claim is being validated with turbo pressure by the Golf R with 199 kW / 270 PS of power and the Scirocco R (currently only in Europe) with 195 kW / 265 PS. In a USA premiere in Los Angeles, Volkswagen is now showing a third variation of this sporty theme: the Beetle R Concept. It is based on the 21st Century Beetle. Like its two larger siblings, the Golf R and Scirocco R, the R version of the Beetle was also created in the halls of Volkswagen subsidiary Volkswagen R GmbH. The Beetle R Concept is still a design study. Those who are familiar with the Beetle 2.0 TSI (147 kW / 200 PS) know the dynamic potential of this new car. As an ‘R’, the Beetle could demonstrate a performance potential similar to that of the Golf R and Scirocco R.

Exterior with 20-inch wheels

Visually, the Beetle R Concept, painted in ‘Serious Grey’, offers a glimpse of what a production version might look like. Outside, the concept is equipped with 20-inch ‘Talladega’ alloy wheels – whose styling is like that of the Golf R and Scirocco R. However, 18- and 19-inch wheels are mounted on those cars. Easy to spot on the Beetle’s wheels, which feature 5 triple spokes, are the blue brake callipers in R design.

Newly sculpted bumpers are wider

Designers completely redesigned the front and rear bumpers that were widened by 30 mm. In front, the bumper module practically consists of 3 air intakes, which are styled in contrasting ‘Black High Gloss’. The middle air intake supplies the engine with oxygen, while the outer two contribute to cooling the brakes. The front spoiler, also painted in ‘Black High Gloss’, is designed as a flat splitter (with a chrome strip); splitters of this kind are typically used in motorsport. To regulate engine temperature within an optimal range, even under extreme conditions, ventilation slots are found on the right and left sides of the engine bonnet.

The rear bumper also has air exhaust slots that are integrated in the aerodynamic concept of the Beetle R Concept. There is also a diffuser that is integrated in the lower bumper area. Together with the rear spoiler – which is significantly larger than the one on Beetle production models with up to 200 PS in power – and its black trailing edge, ideal downforce values are generated at the rear axle. A visual and acoustic highlight is the exhaust system with its 2 sets of dual chrome tailpipes.

On each side, the bumpers transition into the free-standing wings; they were also widened 15 mm 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 bootlid connecting to it, the door mirror housings and door handles.

Interior with Nappa leather sport seat system

The rear bumper also has air exhaust slots that are integrated in the aerodynamic concept of the Beetle R Concept. There is also a diffuser that is integrated in the lower bumper area. Together with the rear spoiler – which is significantly larger than the one on Beetle production models with up to 200 PS in power – and its black trailing edge, ideal downforce values are generated at the rear axle. A visual and acoustic highlight is the exhaust system with its 2 sets of dual chrome tailpipes.

On each side, the bumpers transition into the free-standing wings; they were also widened 15 mm 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 bootlid connecting to it, the door mirror housings and door handles.

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 21stCentury 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.

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept 2012

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