Good fortune shined as the calendar turned the page to 2014 and a Beetle GSR arrived for testing. This yellow-and-black colored coupe pays homage to the 1970s-track-inspired ‘Super Beetle.’ Only 3,500 will be built with half ending up in the U.S. and the rest easily finding takers in Europe. In German, GSR initials represent ‘Gelb Schwarzer Renner,’ translating to Yellow Black Racer in English.
A much-hyped, second-generation Volkswagen Beetle made its way to U.S. shores in the late 90s, improving the fortunes Europe’s largest automaker thanks to its nostalgic tug. Gen Two was tailored to American tastes with its front-engine, front-wheel drive format. Gen. One, which debuted in mass market volumes after the close of World War II, placed the engine and drivetrain out back towards the rear. A third-generation Beetle, introduced in the 2012 model year, featured a longer hood, wider stance and lower roof profile than Gen Two (1998-2011).
Total U.S. Beetle sales in the 2013 calendar year were up an eye-popping 48 percent over the previous 12-month period due in no small part to the re-introduction of the convertible variant.
Similar to the historic and iconic Ford Model T, a vehicle built and priced within financial reach of many, the Beetle was dubbed the car for the masses in Germany. Prior to their respective arrivals, cars were largely a status symbol for the privileged, moneyed folks. Working stiffs were left mostly to hoof it on foot or hoof it with the horse and carriage combo or grab the nearest motorcycle-type transport.
The three-door Beetle hatchback adds notable upgrades for 2014 including the debut of ‘Car Net,’ a telematics system to combat similar hardware from other manufacturers. Also, a ‘Fender’ trim edition gets dropped while the race-inspired, limited edition GSR joins the team. All trims receive enhanced rear suspension and top trims finally are privy to a rear-camera backup feed.
The engine lineup undergoes significant change in 2014 as the 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine gets dropped midway through the year. A more potent 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged engine takes its place as the base engine, pumping out 170 horses. Returning is a higher horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo renamed as the “R-Line” trim. As with many other VW offerings, Beetle offers a high-mileage TDI clean diesel four-cylinder engine.
No all-wheel-drive is available as this compact-sized icon is strictly front drive. The exterior silhouette never seems to go out of style with its domed rear from the thin ‘A’ pillar back coupled with a grille-free brimmed front end. Large, circular headlamps flanking the curve-a-tous front hood are the genesis of the ‘Bug’ nickname. Circular shaped rear tail lights prominent in the second-generation have been replaced with an elongated ‘C-shaped’ design with the open ends flanking the door.
Back again is the form-following-function design of the mechanical rear hatch handle built into the circular-yet-stacked VW logo. A simple lift up motion from the bottom of the chrome logo unlocks the hatch.
The Beetle GSR is available in any exterior color as long as it’s yellow. Along with the sun-colored hue are thick, dual black racing stripes running the length of the curved, sloping hood and rear trunk lid with rather prominent low rear spoiler. Along the bottom of the side doors are large, dark GSR decals and more black racing lines. The roof remains all black as do side-view mirrors. While the Beetle’s time-tested silhouette naturally stands apart in a packed parking lot, the GSR variant just adds to the ‘can’t-miss’ factor.
Under-hood power for this limited, bumble-bee-like design comes from the 2.0-liter, four cylinder turbocharged gas engine delivering a very impressive 210 horsepower (10 more than last year), out-powering many other four-cylinders in this compact class.
Our gas turbo with dual clutch automatic transmission averaged 24 mpg city and 30 highway. Dual clutch hardware operates behind the scene as a manual transmission, but shifts like an automatic as far as the driver is concerned. Essentially, it’s two gearboxes in one. The result is that many transversely-mounted dual clutch automatics generate better fuel economy than traditional manual counterparts including the GSR whose manual transmission averages three less city miles.
The Beetle fuel leader remains the four-cylinder turbo clean diesel coupled with manual transmission, averaging 28 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. The fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons of fuel. All R-Line trims with the 2.0-liter turbo (including our GSR tester) recommend premium grade gas. The outgoing base 2.5-liter five-cylinder utilizes regular, 87-octane fuel.
Simply stated, the limited edition GSR is based on a Beetle R-Line hardtop with sunroof, sound and navigation packages, one of the most opulent Bugs around. No GSR convertible version is currently sold. Unique interior nuances include a dark black interior with bright yellow stitching on leatherette seats, shift knob and steering wheel which features a racing-inspired flat bottom. A small, in-dash center display screen includes the new rear backup feed and four-color navigation. Many audio functions also run through this screen. Ventilation controls include three, easy-to-grab manually-turning dials below the screen.
Compared with many compact-sized rivals, Beetle’s pricing starts at the higher end of the spectrum. The lowest-priced Beetle, an outgoing 2.5-liter five cylinder starts at $19,995. Diesel versions start at $24,195 while an R-Line gas turbo checks in at $24,795. Pricing for a well-equipped GSR with manual transmission starts at $29,995; add $1,100 for six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission choice is about the only decision GSR shoppers need to contemplate. Our GSR tester with automatic transmission included a bottom line of $31,950 with a $35 aftermarket first-aid kit and $820 destination charge.
By comparison, a 2014 Toyota Corolla starts at $17,610 while a 2013 MINI Cooper two-door hatchback starts at $20,495.
The three-leaf clover-style instrument panel includes a large, circular center speedometer with lower, three quarter-circles to the sides; right is the fuel gauge, left a tachometer. Inside the center circular is a digital window executable via steering wheel tutorial push buttons. Atop the center dash reside three additional gauges including a stop watch and turbo boost pressure indicator. Cruise control is activated from slide and push buttons found at the tip of the left-side turn signal stalk.
The GSR’s standard push-button start is located left of the floor-mounted gear shifter. To the far right, dual, independent single-compartment glove boxes prove ample storage; the shallower top option includes a top-hinged door, while the lower lever boasts the more conventional bottom-drop design.
Volkswagen smartly markets this compact as a four-seater. Too many times compact and subcompact rivals promote themselves as welcoming five passengers; wishful thinking for the back pack. Maneuvering into row two is made easier with front bucket seats that manually slide forward with ease once the seat back tilts forward. This ‘home in a dome’ supports mega front head room.
With its wide compact stance, this third generation-based Beetle soaks up small pot holes and road blights with uncompromised ease; one of the smoothest smaller-sized buggers on the road; thanks in part to the new rear multi-link suspension. While cruising along at highway speeds, expect a fair amount of wind noise accompanying the pleasant ride.
At a glance:
2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR
Price as tested: $31,950
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder
Horsepower: 210
Fuel estimates: 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
Length: 168.4 inches
Wheelbase: 100.0 inches
Height: 58.5 inches
Width: 71.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,137 pounds
Drivetrain warranty: Five-year 60,000 miles