Pumped Up Beetle Tops 200 mph

Specially-prepared, 543 horsepower LSR variant sets record for fastest-ever Volkswagen Beetle.

Volkswagen Beetle LSR

It's not your parents - or even your grandparents - VW Beetle, that's for sure.

On Monday of this week, Volkswagen of America announced that a "specially tuned" Beetle had achieved exactly 205.122 mph over a flying mile at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah during the annual Utah Salt Flats Racing Association's (USFRA) World of Speed event.

Piloting the Beetle LSR (Land Speed Record) was Preston Lerner, a contributing editor of Automobile Magazine (who noted that "We had enough power to go even faster if the salt hadn't been so sketchy. But seeing 208 miles per hour briefly on the digital readout was an experience I'll never forget").

The Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) regulates the competition at the Flats, which means, contrary to popular belief, that there's no "seat of the pants" engineering going on here.

To meet the association's G/BGC rules, Volkswagen enlisted THR Manufacturing, out of Santa Paula, California, to modify the powertrain. This meant installing new turbochargers and modifying the head as well as swapping out the stock pistons, camshafts, connecting rods in a stock VW 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI gasoline engine. The result was an engine that produced 543 horsepower and 421 pound-feet of torque at the wheels. Taking measurements at the flywheel would result in over 600 hp and close to 500 lb-ft. of torque.

Chassis modifications included a lowered suspension, the addition of a limited-slip differential and, to aid in bring it to a halt, a pair of parachutes. Inside, the interior was stripped and safety equipment (rollcage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system) was added.

"We are completely thrilled with the Beetle LSR's performance at Bonneville," said Dr. Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Beetle is not the most aerodynamic car in our portfolio, so running 205 mph is a testament to the power that can be made from the EA888 TSI four-cylinder engine. This feat truly underscores the sporty and pugnacious spirit of the Beetle."