VW Beetle GSR Limited Edition gets 207bhp

Volkswagen are launching a limited edition of the Beetle – the VW Beetle GSR – with yellow and black paint job and 207bhp.

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Forty years ago, VW launched the Yellow/Black Racer Beetle, based on the Beetle 1303 S and sporting a massive 49bhp. Today, at the Chicago Auto Show, VW has revealed its successor – the Limited Edition VW Beetle GSR.

The Beetle GSR stays relatively faithful to the paint job on its granddad with the bonnet and boot of the GSR in black, as are the roof and mirrors, and there are yellow and black stripes with ‘GSR’ lettering on the sides, all setting off the yellow paint job and 19″ alloys completing the exterior. Oddly, despite the GSR paying tribute to its 1970s predecessor, you can also order your GSR in Platinum Grey or Black.

Inside, the new GSR gets R-Line racing track sports seats with cloth upholstery and yellow stitching )although our Colonial cousins get full leather) and a leather steering wheel with the build number – 1 to 3,500 – on a badge on the wheel, R-Line dash, GSR gear stick, leather handbrake cover and black mats with yellow trim.

Under the skin, the Beetle GSR gets 207bhp from its 2.0 litre turbo, enough to scoot the limited edition Beetle to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and on to 142mph and average 38.7mpg.

There will only be 3,500 VW Beetle GSRs built – the same number as the original Yellow/Black Racer Beetle, and just 100 of those are coming to the UK. No price details yet.