Volkswagen Intros Beetle GSR in Chicago

The 2013 Chicago Auto Show media days saw the introduction of a limited production Beetle GSR

The year of the Beetle

The Chinese may recognize it as the Year of the Snake, but for Volkswagen aficionados everywhere 2013 might as well be the year of the Beetle.

That's because although it wasn't produced in significant numbers until after World War Two, the original Volkswagen Käfer was first introduced to the world in 1938 – which makes 2013 the 75th anniversary of the iconic model.

To help launch what is sure to be a year-long bacchanal, VW is turning up its marketing a notch or two with a limited edition model with its own roots in Beetle lore.

2014 Beetle GSR

With apologies to Acura Integra fanboys, the "GSR" hanging off the end of this Beetle actually refers to its color scheme auf Deutsch (in German) - "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer" in English.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the debut of what Volkswagen terms "the sportiest series production Beetle of all time" - a 1970's-era VeeDub with the same exterior color combination as well as the original "Gelb Schwarzer Renner".

Volkswagen describes that model, the Beetle 1303 S, available only with a yellow painted body, thusly:

"The bonnet and the boot lid of the 1973 Beetle were painted in matt black, as were the bumpers. Black trim strips underneath the side windows and black/yellow side stripes above the doorsills rounded off the look."

Although the two share similar paint jobs, the new model will also be available in Platinum Grey with black trim for customers wishing to exhibit, shall we say, a slightly lower profile. Just like the original, however, only 3,500 copies will be produced (with the lion's share coming to our shores).

Additional changes to the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR exterior over the 1973 model (don't you just love the precision of the Germans) include a black roof and exterior mirrors, black/yellow stripes with "GSR" lettering above the side sills, yellow painted R-Line front and rear bumpers and a yellow/black rear spoiler.

Inside, the black/yellow trim, leather steering wheel and cloth sport seats of yore have been given a thoroughly modern upgrade.

Here in the U.S., all GSRs will feature R-Line racing seats and a sports steering wheel (with the R-Line logo) – both covered in black leather with contrasting yellow stitching. Also part of the package is a badge with the special edition number (1 to 3,500), an R-Line dash pad, GSR gear stick, leather handbrake lever and black floor mats with contrasting yellow embroidery.

But wait, there's more

Fortunately for enthusiasts, there's more to the GSR than just a paint job and a few interior knicky-knacks lying just below its bumble bee-like surface.

The 15-inch steel wheels (with 175 size tires) which were commonly used 40 years ago, even for sporty cars, and the "Tornado" 19-inch alloy wheels (painted black) with 235/40 tires on the Beetle GSR are worlds apart.

Also unlike the original that, according to VW, "needed precisely 50 PS (49.3 hp) to turn the world of compact cars on its head", the new GSR comes equipped with the automaker's EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four cylinder that now produces 210 horsepower and 206.5 lb.-ft. of torque (between a mesa-like 1,700 and 5,200 rpm).

Zero to sixty-two and zero to sixty times are 7.3 and 6.6 seconds, respectively, while the GSR will have a top speed of 130 miles per. The standard tranny will be a 6-speed manual, while an automatic 6-speed, dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) will be offered as an option.

Delivery and pricing

Volkswagen will begin taking GSR orders in May, will deliveries set for this fall. And while new car prices for the U.S. have yet to be announced, pricing in Germany has been set at € 30,300 which, at today's exchange rate, works out to roughly $40,750 US.