A masculine New Beetle is an automotive oxymoron, but Volkswagen is out to give the 2011 model some testosterone. First with the less-cutesy new styling, and now with the Beetle R Concept.
The Beetle R features wider front and rear bumpers, black high-gloss air intakes, side vents for the brakes, and hood vents. Four exhaust pipes and a large rear spoiler man up the back. Wheels are five-spoke Talladega-design 20-inch alloys, containing blue-painted brake calipers.
The front seats are hard-shell racing units trimmed with black Nappa leather, as are the individual rear seats. A central tachometer and three auxiliary gauges—oil temperature, chronometer, and turbo boost indicator give a sportier air.
To back up all the posing is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, estimated at 265bhp. The engine is not a production certainty (as is the entire Beetle R, but the Golf R and Scirocco R carry such hardware. It’s certainly won’t smoke a Mustang or 370Z, but it’s enough to make base Genesis Coupe owners break into a sweat—and question their masculinity for a few seconds.
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