Rep Power: 497

At Volkswagen, the letter “R” promises top-notch performance, a claim validated by the 266-hp Golf R and the 261-hp Scirocco R. In a world debut at the IAA in Frankfurt, Volkswagen is now showing a third variation of this sporty theme: the Beetle R Concept, based on the 21st Century Beetle. Like the Golf R and Scirocco R, the R version of the Beetle was also created at Volkswagen subsidiary Volkswagen R GmbH, located near Wolfsburg.

The Beetle R Concept is still a design study. Those who are familiar with the Beetle Turbo (200 hp) know that the car could offer even more performance, similar to that of the Golf R and Scirocco R.

A Beetle with juice

Visually, the Beetle R Concept, painted in “Serious Grey”, offers a glimpse of what a production version might look like. The concept is equipped with 20-inch “Talladega” aluminum-alloy wheels—the same design used on the Golf R and Scirocco R, although those cars wear 18- and 19-inch rims. R-design blue brake calipers are easy to spot through the Beetle’s wheels, which feature five triple spokes.

The designers completely reworked the front and rear bumpers, which are widened by 1.2 inches. In front, the bumper essentially consists of three air intakes, which are highlighted in contrasting “Black High Gloss”. The middle intake supplies the engine with air, while the outer two cool the brakes. The front spoiler, also painted in “Black High Gloss”, is designed as a flat splitter (with a chrome strip), just like those used in motorsports. To maintain temperature regulation of the engine within an optimal range, even under extreme conditions, vents are found on the right and left sides of the hood.

Read more: http://media.vw.com/news