Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs
Thu, 07 Feb 2013
The first, and splashiest of the Chicago goodies on the VW stand has got to be the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR. Don't lose your temper, Acura Integra geeks; in this case, GSR stands for "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer," and harkens back to a sport-tuned classic Beetle from the 1970s. For the 2014 iteration, the GSR gets a 210-horsepower version of VW's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. That engine is enough to push the Beetle to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds, and up to a top speed of 130 mph.
Of course, you'll have long-since noticed the shockingly yellow-and-black livery before you stumble across the Turbo badge on the rear deck. The GSR gets 19-inch alloy wheels, 235-section tires and a tea-tray rear spoiler, but it's the paint and graphics package that will decide if this is your (lemony) cup of tea. Things don't get any subtler inside the car, either, as VW has carried the colorway through to the interior, as well. Only 3,500 Beetle GSRs will be produced, with just more than half of those going to the US – call your dealer today, Wiz Khalifa.
Slightly less racy than the GSR is another Beetle for Chicago; this time a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible with the R-Line package. Almost identical to the standard Beetle Convertible Turbo from a functional standpoint, the 2014 R-Line car gets some unique 19-inch aluminum wheels with lower profile tires, LED DRLs to augment Bi-Xenon headlamps and trim-specific badging. You'll also find R-Line branding sprinkled through the cabin of the car, and a model which is fully kitted out with technology options.
Finally, VW is offering a couple of limited edition GTI models to close out the 2013 model year (yes, we know it's February). There'll be just 3,000 examples of the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition produced, all of them offering new 18-inch wheels, a golf ball shifter knob for the six-speed manual and the sunroof and navigation packages from the normal GTI spec sheet. A Wolfsburg Edition car will make a similar offering, but without the navi and sunroof. The Wolfsburg GTI will start from $25,095 in 6MT trim, while the rarer Driver's Edition will run $29,695 with the stick shift.
Check out press releases for all of these vehicles below, and stay tuned as we bring you all of the live action from the Chicago show floor.
VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS THE LIMITED-EDITION BEETLE GSR AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
- Classic 1970s' Beetle serves as inspiration for the GSRTM
- Sportiest Beetle boasts a 210 horsepower turbocharged engine
- On sale in the Fall as a 2014 model
- Limited edition of just 3500 worldwide
- Leather-trimmed sport seats and unique GSR trim mark out the interior
Wolfsburg / Chicago, February 7, 2013 - Forty years ago, the sportiest version of the classic Volkswagen Beetle made its debut. Called the GSR (Gelb Schwarzer Renner or "Yellow Black Racer"), the vehicle was based on a 1303S and was instantly recognizable by its color scheme. Just 3500 units were built and they are now collectors' items.
Today, at the Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen of America, Inc. pays homage to that 1970s' model with the world unveiling of the 2014 Beetle GSR. Striking in yellow and black, just like its predecessor, the GSR also debuts an uprated version of the award-winning EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder TSI® engine that generates 210 horsepower. This engine will be fitted to the Jetta GLI and Beetle Turbo during the 2013 model year, boosting their power by 10 hp.
With this new car, Volkswagen has re-interpreted the 1970s GSR for the modern era. The bodyshell of the 1973 Beetle was painted yellow, while the hood, trunklid, and bumpers were finished in matte black. The look was rounded out by black trim strips underneath the side windows and black rocker panels. Yellow and black link old and new: the body and the R- Line® bumpers on the new GSR are predominantly yellow, the hood is mainly black, and the trunklid, roof, and the exterior mirror caps are all black. The new car has yellow/black stripes with "GSR" lettering above the side skirts and a large rear spoiler to complete the look. The stance of the new car is very different, as it rides on 19-inch "Tornado" aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/40 tires, compared with the original GSR's 15-inch steel wheels and 175- section tires, which were quite common even on sporty cars back then. The new GSR also features black-painted brake calipers.
Then as now, the GSR features a unique interior with a yellow/black theme, sport seats, and a leather sport steering wheel. The new GSR is a lot more sophisticated, however. The black- trimmed leather sport seats and high-grip leather steering wheel both have contrasting yellow stitching, for example. Other interior changes include an R-Line dash pad, a GSR shift lever, a leather handbrake lever, and black floormats with contrasting yellow embroidery. A badge on the steering wheel is marked with the special-edition number (1 through 3500) to emphasize the uniqueness of the car.
Forty years ago, the Beetle GSR had all of 50 horsepower, enough to give it the requisite performance for a sporty compact of the time. But the modern world demands much more under the hood. The new GSR's 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque enable the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically governed top track speed of 130 mph. Most impressively, the engine delivers peak torque from as low as 1700 rpm, giving smooth, effortless acceleration in all the gears. The GSR is standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a dual-clutch DSG® six-speed automatic transmission will be an option.
Just like its predecessor, only 3500 GSR models will be made-and more than half of those will be sold in the U.S. Since the GSR is based on the Beetle Turbo with Sunroof and Sound model, it comes comprehensively equipped with the Fender® Premium Audio System; a panoramic sunroof; Keyless access with push-button start; Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs; LED license-plate lighting; heatable front seats; Bluetooth® connectivity; a Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable; three-color ambient lighting; aluminum-alloy pedals; and three auxiliary instruments that include a clock with a stopwatch function and a boost gauge. The Volkswagen Beetle GSR will go on sale in the fall as a 2014 model; pricing will be announced closer to launch.
VOLKSWAGEN INTRODUCES PERFORMANCE INSPIRED R-LINE® TRIM ON BEETLE CONVERTIBLE
- R-Line specification offers another level of sportiness to the all-new Beetle Convertible lineup
- Joins the CC, Tiguan, Touareg, and the Beetle coupe as the fifth car in the R- Line family
Herndon, VA/Chicago, February 7, 2013 - Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show that it will offer the R-Line trim on another model for the U.S. market. Joining the CC R-Line, Beetle R-Line coupe, and the recently introduced Tiguan R-Line and Touareg R-Line, the Beetle Convertible R-Line will be added to the Volkswagen line-up for model year 2014.
Augmenting the Beetle Convertible Turbo's impressive list of standard equipment, the Beetle Convertible R-Line adds performance-inspired exterior and interior treatments. On the outside, the R-Line features unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on lower-profile all- season tires. Paired with the Beetle Turbo's sport-tuned suspension, the combination gives more dynamic driving characteristics. Additional enhancements include an R-Line badge on the front grille and Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs.
Inside, the Beetle Convertible R-Line features "metallic-finish" dash and door trim; a sporty flat-bottom R-Line multi-function leather steering wheel; stainless-steel R-Line scuff plates; aluminum sport pedals; and leather sport seating surfaces. Other interior appointments include the RNS 315 navigation system; Keyless access with push-button start; and the award-winning Fender® Premium Audio System, which delivers rich sound via a 10-channel, 400 watt amplifier with eight speakers and a rear subwoofer. Beetle Convertible R-Line pricing will be announced closer to launch later this year.
VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES LIMITED-EDITION GTI MODELS
- Acclaimed hot-hatch receives two new trims to close the 2013 model year
- Wolfsburg Edition with six-speed manual starts at $25,095
- Driver's Edition with six-speed manual starts at $29,695
Herndon, VA / Chicago, February 7, 2013 - Volkswagen announced today that it will offer two limited-edition models for the GTI for the 2013 model year. The GTI Wolfsburg Edition and GTI
Driver's Edition will be offered in limited quantities for the final model year of the sixth-generation hot-hatch. The limited-edition models are available in four-door guise only and are offered in three colors-Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, and Deep Black.
The first to go on sale is the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, which will be in dealerships during the first quarter of 2013. Featuring the well-equipped GTI's standard trim, the Wolfsburg Edition adds 18- inch "Laguna" wheels, a retro-themed golf ball shifter knob, and red-stitched carpeted floormats. The Wolfsburg Edition will start at $25,095 for a six-speed manual transmission version or $26,195 when equipped with a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. There will be a total of 2000 Wolfsburg Edition models.
Arriving early in the second quarter of 2013 is the GTI Driver's Edition. This takes the GTI Sunroof and Navigation package and adds the 18-inch aluminum-alloy Laguna wheels, a golf ball shifter knob, red-stitched carpeted floormats, and partial leather seat coverings. Just 3000 units will be sold in the U.S., priced from $29,695 with the manual transmission and from $30,795 for the version with the six-speed DSG gearbox.
Every GTI Driver's Edition buyer also receives a Certificate of Authenticity along with a special package of GTI gear that includes a hat, keychain, and parking sign.
By Seyth Miersma
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