The Volkswagen Beetle R could debut as early as the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The model was confirmed virtually as soon as the standard new Beetle was released earlier this year, and should have a more powerful engine option than the range topping Beetle Turbo with its two-litre unit and 200 hp.

The model is unlikely to be as powerful as the 270 hp of the Golf R though, as the Beetle R will still be a front-wheel drive model, and will also be less expensive than the Golf R hot hatch. We could therefore see power reaching about 240 hp. Also according to Car and Driver, a Volkswagen Beetle R Cabrio is also being considered, although it has to go through the rounds of making a business case for itself, first.

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As soon as the new Volkswagen Beetle debuted, it gave way to a series of speculations about the future Beetle R and Cabriolet models. While the latter is almost certainly to appear, the Beetle R has been gaining traction as a most likely model and here is the first rendering of what it might look like.

There are absolutely no details whatsoever at the moment on the Beetle R, but it seems like the big question right now is how it will fit into the Volkswagen family compared to the other smaller sporty models, and specifically whether it will have front wheel drive like the Scirocco R or whether it will have all-wheel drive like the Golf R.

New Volkswagen Beetle R renderings

Source | TheophilusChin

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It’s no surprise that the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will get a drop-top version, possibly to arrive as early as next year as a 2013 model. In line with its retro style the Beetle cabrio will have a fabric roof and will most likely get the same engine range as the coupé. In addition, word from the US is that there will be a Volkswagen Beetle R performance version.

Car and Driver says the Beetle R has been confirmed and are predicting the same two-litre turbocharged powerplant as the Golf R. It will still be a front-wheel drive model though, and no arrival date has been revealed at this stage. We think that while VW has confirmed this model, it will probably hold off releasing a Beetle R to see how the new Beetle goes in its revived ‘driver-orientated’ state.

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