Future models - Volkswagen - Beetle - RFrankfurt show: Volkswagen Beetle R may fly FWD, V6Less flower, more power: The Beetle R is expected to be powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo as the Golf R. VW likely to appease both Euros and Americans for its upcoming retro blaster15 Sep 2011 By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS in FRANKFURT VOLKSWAGEN’S Beetle R Concept may have been overshadowed by the vital new Up baby car at the Frankfurt show, but a groundswell of speculation about the upcoming fastest production Bug in history points to not one but two engine choices according to market requirements – including a V6. Furthermore, the post-modern four-seater coupe will follow another Volkswagen R model that fits that description – the Scirocco – in being front-wheel drive. While the German conglomerate has not yet confirmed Beetle R production, a source within Volkswagen AG said the green light is only a formality. Production is scheduled to commence at the Puebla, Mexico facility some time next year, with an Australian launch not likely to happen before 2013. A Beetle R Convertible is also on the cards to join the coupe at a later date. Wolfsburg has already stated that it is getting serious about taking on the likes of the Mini Cooper JCW and the Abarth 500 Essesse with a Beetle that pushes the performance envelope compared with the previous-generation model. As GoAuto reported earlier this week, the expected powerplant choice for Europe and probably Australia will be a development of the 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo unit found in the Golf and upcoming Scirocco R. However it appears that American tastes for the Beetle – by far the retro coupe’s biggest market – is dictating the shoehorning in of a narrow-angle V6. The most likely candidate is the 184kW/320Nm 3.2-litre FSI direct-injection engine found in the previous-generation Golf R32, although the 220kW/350Nm 3.6-litre FSI unit currently motivating the Passat is also being bandied about. Whether the front wheels will be driven exclusively by a DSG dual-clutch transmission or go old-school by offering a six-speed manual gearbox is not yet known. Going front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive is believed to be related to the fact that the Beetle has not been engineered for the latter. It is also thought that the more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension system, rather than the more cost-effective torsion beam set-up to be used in less-powerful and cheaper variants, will underpin the Beetle R. As an image booster for a model that has been lambasted for prioritising style over substance, the move to either high-performance engine choice – as well as the independent suspension system – signals a move to make the Beetle a more attractive proposition to enthusiasts. As with the Golf and Scirocco R, the Beetle R Concept was created by performance subsidiary Volkswagen R GmbH near Wolfsburg. ![]() Read more14th of September 2011 ![]() Frankfurt show: Beetle R set to goVolkswagen presents hot turbo-powered Beetle in concept form14th of September 2011 ![]() Polo R set to rocketWRC special heralds fastest baby VW in historyAll future models![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Motor industry news |
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