Volkswagen Beetle GSR: rare bug returns

First seen at the 2013 Chicago auto show in February, the new Volkswagen Beetle GSR pays tribute to the 1973 ‘Yellow-Black Racer’ special edition based on the Beetle 1303 S – with GSR standing for Gelb-Schwarze Renner or Gold-Black Racer.

The new Beetle GSR is limited to 3500 cars worldwide, powered by the same 155kW/280Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine used in the Golf GTI, and is finished in yellow with a black bonnet, bootlid, roof and exterior mirrors.

The black and yellow colour scheme continues with stripes and ‘GSR’ lettering down the doors, a larger than standard rear spoiler with a black lip, and R-Line sports seats, a flat-bottom leather sports steering wheel and black floor mats all highlighted by contrasting yellow stitching.

Sitting on 19-inch ‘Tornado’ alloy wheels and available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Volkswagen Beetle GSR claims 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 229km/h.

With a small right-hand-drive allocation already confirmed for production, Volkswagen Australia managing director Anke Koeckler told CarAdvice in February, that the GSR has been presented as an option to the local division.

“[The Beetle GSR is] also probably a car we have to look into as it is a performance-oriented car and, you know, Australians love it,” Koeckler said.

Also available for order in Platinum Grey and Black, the new Volkswagen Beetle GSR starts at £24,900 ($38,200) with the first European deliveries expected in September.

Read CarAdvice's 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Review.

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