AutoMotion Blog

2014 VW Beetle GSR Adds Power, Performance in Limited Quantities

  • Date Published: 02/12/2013
The big news from Volkswagen at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show was the debut of the 2014 VW Beetle GSR, a new Beetle Coupe modeled after the 1973 Beetle GSR, a sport-tuned 50-horsepower Gelb Schwarzer Renner (GSR Yellow Black Racer) that is now a collector's item. Volkswagen built just 3,500 units of that original Beetle GSR, painted yellow with a matte-black hood, engine cover, and bumpers. The automaker says it plans to limit new 2014 Beetle GSR production to the same number of units, with more than half of them heading to the United States.

The 2014 Beetle GSR is painted yellow with a black roof, black side mirror caps, a black trunk, and black stripes on the hood and lower body. Unique R-Line front and rear bumpers are standard, along with bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, and a set of 19-inch aluminum wheels with machined spokes, black-painted pockets, and P235/40R19 tires.

Inside, the 2014 Beetle GSR is equipped with black leather sport seats and a numbered flat-bottom R-Line steering wheel; the seats and steering wheel feature yellow contrast stitching. The GSR also has black floor mats with yellow embroidery, aluminum pedals, special shift lever, metallic doorsill plates, and metallic dash trim with a yellow GSR badge on the Kaeferfach glove box door. Additional standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, keyless access with push-button starting, and heated front seats.

Volkswagen used the Beetle GSR debut in Chicago to announce an upgrade to its turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which will gain 10 horsepower for a total of 210. Torque remains the same at 207 lb.-ft. beginning at just 1,700 rpm, and the Beetle GSR will offer a choice between a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), the latter an automated manual transmission. Volkswagen says the new Beetle GSR will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieve a governed top speed of 130 mph.

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR goes on sale in the fall of 2013. Prices will be announced closer to the vehicle's arrival in dealer showrooms.

Additional Research: