2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR puts on honey-bee attire

Volkswagen seems to be going back to their roots, as they officially unveiled the Beetle GSR for 2014, at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. The story of this machine goes back to 1973, when the blokes at Volkswagen decided it was time to take the loveable air-cooled ‘Bug’ into racing.

However, as we see today, they weren’t interested in painting it in ‘Herbie’ colours. Instead they called the sport-tuned machine, the “Beetle GSR”, “Gelb Schwarzer Renner” or “Yellow Black Racer.” Hence, you see the somewhat-unconventional paint scheme here.

The new GSR gets a 210-hp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine under the hood, and a six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission to send those ponies to the front wheels. Note that this car’s output is up by 10 hp than other turbo VWs, including the Jetta GLI and the existing Beetle Turbo. Hence, 0-100 kph takes 6.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 210 kph.

Besides the aggressive paint scheme, the GSR is outfitted with a large rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels clad with 235/40 tyres. The bee-like hue carries over on the inside, with yellow stitching on black leather.

Only 3,500 models of the GSR will be produced, each with its own unique plaque. Pricing has not yet been announced.

The updated New Beetle is still not offered in the GCC.