Volkswagen's high-performance "R" range may soon welcome a new member. After debuting the Volkswagen Beetle R concept a couple years back, the production Volkswagen Beetle R has been spotted testing in Europe, looking just about production ready.
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Though easily mistaken for a matte-grey version of the new 2014 Beetle R-Line or GSR thanks to the big rear wing, this Volkswagen Beetle R prototype shows its hand in a few subtle ways. For starters, check out those wheels - they're the "Talladega" wheels fitted to the Beetle R concept and the outgoing Golf R. Next, check out what's hiding behind those big wheels - dish-sized drilled-rotor brakes with massive calipers, ready to rein in some serious power.
Other than the unique wheels and brakes, the Beetle R prototype looks almost identical to the Beetle R-Line currently in production, with the same bumpers and spoiler. When the Beetle R goes into production, it'll have an even more aggressive front and rear fascia, matching the concept.
The Volkswagen Beetle R is set to be powered by the new 2015 VW Golf R's 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, which makes a healthy 296 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual and all-wheel drive will be standard. The Volkswagen Beetle R will likely hit European dealers late next year, and be available in the U.S. in 2015. There's no word yet on whether the U.S. spec Beetle R's engine will be detuned for the U.S. market due to our "hot" climate, but we'll find out before long.
Photo Source: CarPix
I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself. So instead of blathering on about where I was born (New York City, in case you were wondering) or what type of cars I like (all of ’em, as long as it has a certain sense of soul or purpose), I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car (see above): How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too. Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog. I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name (The Stig’s American Cousin), signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work. Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
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