Here’s a fun bit of trivia: the world’s fastest insect is the Australian tiger beetle, which can run 170 times its body length in one second. It’s a fact that won’t be lost on Volkswagen’s straight-laced marketing department, should the company actually produce the tantalizing Beetle R concept shown above.
The tiger beetle is also known for its aggressive, predatory behavior in running down its victims. (Ask David Attenborough.) Given the Beetle R’s aggressive intakes, tea tray rear wing and dual exhausts, it’s clear that Volkswagen wants you to know that it’s not messing around either. To top it off, it’s even painted in a color that VW grimly labels “Serious Grey.” If this Beetle had a flower vase, it would be used as a weapon.
Under the Beetle R Concept’s bulging fenders are 20-inch, 5-spoke polished wheels, the same style found on the Golf and Scirocco R, but an inch larger. Inside, the Beetle R gets a trio of instruments, blue piping to match the calipers, and severe-looking racing-type bucket seats with grey padding that VW calls “Ergopads.” With a name like that, they’re not kidding around, folks.
In typical tight-lipped fashion, Volkswagen hasn’t released official specs on the Beetle R — but given its two serious siblings, it will most likely employ VW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine, putting out around 260 horsepower. Given that the fastest current Beetle, the Turbo, produces a decent 200 horsepower, the Beetle R will need more than a serious paint color and serious wheels to distinguish itself. 4MOTION all-wheel-drive would be a good start. That would show that Volkswagen is really serious, jah.
