2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Debut

What's New

Just a few months ago Volkswagen introduced the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible and promised more special editions to come. Forty years after the original Volkswagen Beetle GSR—which is Gelb Schwarzer Renner or "Yellow Black Racer"—the automaker from Wolfsburg delivers with the 2014 Beetle GSR special edition. Limited to just 3,500 models worldwide, the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR pays homage to that first model. While that first edition had "Racer" in its name--with a total of 50 hp--it was more of a novelty collectors' item than a performance coupe. Powered by a tweaked 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the new Beetle GSR delivers 210 horses, and backs up the GSR nameplate with a little oomph. This bee(tle), can sting.

Who It's For

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR is limited to just 3,500 models worldwide, just over half of which will be coming to the United States. In addition to a 10-hp boost over Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on other models, the GSR gets 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, R-Line accents, and a yellow/black body kit and stripes. This one will appeal to Beetle collectors and aficionados, and those that like the sporty, playful aesthetic. The Volkswagen Beetle GSR could also appeal to buyers shopping the Mini Cooper S, and Fiat 500 Abarth.

Key Features

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR invigorates the GSR nameplate and provides new excitement for Volkswagen and Beetle enthusiasts.

• Boasts a 210-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine
• Limited to production of just 3,500 models worldwide
• Reinvigorates the Volkswagen Beetle GSR nameplate 40 years after the first model debuted
• 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, unique yellow/black body kit

What We Think

When Volkswagen introduced the Beetle GSR 40 years ago, it was a sporty-looking, playful cruiser. Fast-forward to this fall when the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR goes on sale, and it will be a limited edition collectors' item. With only some of the 3,500 models to be sold worldwide making it to the U.S., we'd expect these to go fast. And for Beetle enthusiasts, the yellow/black sports coupe is more than just sporty-looking. Powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 210 hp, the GSR offers up performance to back its appearance.

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