BOMBASTIC BEETLE R BLOWS L.A.

Beetle part 3 is on its way to Mzansi. Exactly which month in 2012 is still unknown, but certainly this is a very welcome new addition to the mix. Could there be a high-performance version later? Perhaps. The LA Auto Show saw Volkswagen unveil this Beetle R Concept, a very sporty kind of a Beetle.

While VW has shied away from releasing claimed performance, this car has a 2.0-litre turbo engine under the bonnet. It’s the same engine that can make up to 200kW in Europe, while in SA it is rather limited to 188kW in cars like the Golf R and Scirocco R.

This would be quite the development, considering Beetle’s most direct iconic rival, the MINI, only makes 155kW at its most potent – in the JCW. And so it is quite clear that VW is not interested in playing alongside MINI on this front. It aims to sweep right past. Whether it can handle as well is another question. Related to that question is whether VW will also diversify this new Beetle by creating four-door, SUV and other body styles. We’ll wait and see.

For looks, Beetle went for a wider front bumper, wider wheel arches, 20-inch wheels, a tough-looking rear wing and four tailpipes.