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GSR stood for Gelb Schwarzer Renner ( “Yellow Black Racer”). IIRC it was a a factory cosmetic-only version of a `73 Super with 1302 front suspension, not my idea of a performance car by any stretch of the imagination and nothing I ever would've lined up to buy:


VW is apparently casting about desperately for something to base a modern-day special edition car upon, and they dug up the GSR; in this case I have to admit that the rebirth is one tasty package. It should be out as a 2014 this fall, and about half of the 3,500 they plan to build are coming to the US.


It's based on the Beetle "Turbo with Sunroof and Sound" model, features a Fender audio system, push-button start, HID headlights with LED daytime running lights, heated front seats, large rear wing and new 19-inch “Tornado” alloy wheels. Where the original Beetle GSR had a yellow body shell with a matte black hood, trunklid, and bumpers, with black trim strips and mirrors, the 2014 model has a yellow body and the sportier "R-Line" bumpers contrasted with a mostly black hood and black trunklid, roof, and side mirrors. Rocker panels feature black and yellow striping with GSR graphics.

BHP/207 lb-ft (+10HP from a "normal" turbo 2.0L Beetle) for 0-60 in a little over 6 seconds.

As a die-hard aircooled guy I've always sneered at the New Beetle as nothing but a skin-job on a Jetta, but this one has softened my stance...I could see how one could be drawn to the dark side
If my son Chris hadn't put together such a fine `69 for me to drive in my declining years, I'd be at the dealer signing up for one of these...I guess I'll have to stop snickering at those who buy them.

I'd roll in that.

They're talking of building a 40th anniversary GTI of carbon-fiber & aluminum at a nearly 440lbs weight savings - it's equipped with 222hp - and earns sub-6 sec 0-60.

So really, to say it's a re-skinned Jetta is cruel, more like a half-assed GTI.

The Scion/Toyota/Subaru RWD boxer-four coupe is more Beetle-like than that GSR...The heaviest one you can buy is less than 2800lbs (according to Wiki)...You might just end-up with one of those in the driveway But your best bet finding that New Beetle model locally will likely be at the bikini barista stand.

Then I must start frequenting the bikini barista stand daily. Just to see the new GSR, of course.

OT, but totally droolworthy:
New Barracuda:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/20 ... uture-cars

Yeah, the Charger-based Challenger was the best they could come with in a hurry to counter the new Mustang and Camaro...too big and too heavy. I was expecting them to try using the new Dodge Dart as a basis, but this new Challenger looks even better. If they offer the Fiat turbo 1.4 (from the 500 or Dart) they'll have something they can sell in Europe or to economy-oriented US buyers who just want to look fast.

Let's remember the 1303 GSR of 1973 (and its North American cousin, the Sports Bug) came with a 1600cc engine. Most people forget while that was the only engine offered on any American bug, super or otherwise, since its offering, it was the largest of three engine sizes worldwide.

I'm not saying the GSR or any air-cooled Beetle at any time by VW was "performance" in the truest sense, it was a package that performed as an upgrade. For Americans, it was odd the 1600cc engine was the only offering but front disc brakes had to be an after-purchase add-on while the rest of the world got front disc brakes on any bug with the 1600cc engine.

Volkswagen never did really let go of the idea that the bug was an entry level car. Two years after the GSR and the Sports Bug, VW discontinued the 1303 (except for convertibles) in favor of radiator-equipped Golfs (Rabbits). Two years after that was the swan song of any Beetle in the US or Canada.

Still, the GSR/SB may have been the best platform for a performance air-cooled bug. Both came with wider wheels and better seats. The GSR had the front disc brakes. Modifying them further was easier than most other bug examples. The La Grande had rack-and-pinion steering but was marketed as luxury entry vehicle (talk about an oxymoron!). The La Grande of '75 was heavier despite a slightly thinner gauge of steel and had more components that needed to be swapped out. The GSR/SB also looked the part when most bugs and supers have to shake off their "chick car" persona first.

The new GSR seems to have performance in mind, and VW already gave all of the newer-than-New-Beetles Beetles a TT-ish look. I'd rock both if given the opportunity.