CHICAGO MOTOR SHOW: VW Beetle goes GSR

Volkswagen has announced a limited-edition Beetle GSR and revealed full details of the new Golf R Cabriolet, precisely a week before the new-generation Beetle hatch is launched in Australia.

Neither Beetle GSR nor Golf R Cabrio will become available in Australia, where the latest Beetle Cabriolet also remains unavailable and where VW’s convertible portfolio will continue to comprise just the Eos and entry-level Golf Cabrios.

As few as 3500 examples of the Beetle GSR, which made its world debut at the Chicago show this week, will be produced globally, while the Golf R Cabrio will be launched in Europe next week.

The Beetle GSR takes its name from the German words for the ‘Yellow/Black Racer’ based on the Beetle 1303 S, which debuted precisely 40 years ago as the sportiest Beetle ever.

Like the 1973 model it recalls, the GSR will be available in a two-tone yellow/black colour scheme comprising a matt-black bonnet, boot, roof, mirrors and side stripes, plus a yellow/black rear spoiler and yellow R Line bumpers – although a Platinum Grey/Black two-tone version will also be available for delivery in Europe around September.

Also unlike the car that inspired it, the Beetle GSR will be fitted with 19-inch black ‘Tornado’ alloy wheels with 235/40 tyres (instead of 15-inch steel wheels with 175-section tyres) and a yellow/black interior comprising a host of unique touches including a leather sports steering wheel, R-Line racing sports seats, R-Line dash pad, GSR gearshifter, leather handbrake lever and black floor mats with contrasting yellow embroidery.

More importantly, the GSR will be powered by the Golf GTI’s 155kW/280Nm turbocharged petrol engine – matched with six-speed manual and DSG twin-clutch gearboxes – effectively making it a Beetle GTI and endowing it with 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds.

Meantime, VW has also confirmed the Golf R Cabriolet, which is based on the superseded Mk6 Golf hatch and will be sold overseas alongside the upcoming Golf 7 hatch, will employ the same running gear as the outgoing Golf R hatch.

That means it’s powered by a 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre turbo four, enabling it to sprint to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds with a standard six-speed DSG auto.

Unique R Cabrio elements include a gloss-black grille with 'R' logo, chromed exhaust outlets, a black diffuser, smoked tail-lights, a unique front bumper and R badging on the brake calipers.

The first R-spec Golf Cabrio rides 25mm lower than standard on 18- or 19-inch ‘Talladega’ alloys and, inside, features four individual R-badged sports seats trimmed in ‘Vienna Cool Leather’, aluminium pedals and contrasting grey stitching for the steering wheel, handbrake and gearshifter.

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