VWvortex Project Beetle RS - Stage I

**jamie@vwvortex** · 06-07-2011 05:55 PM

We like the new 2012 Beetle. Our readers like the new 2012 Beetle. So when VW called up and asked if we could modify one "a little bit", we simply asked how soon they could get it over to us. There were a few conditions however. For starters this is one of only a handful of preproduction autoshow cars in the U.S. and the car can't be driven on the streets as it was made to sit on a turntable and that's it. No registration, no plates, no airbags = no street legal. No problem we say, we'll steer clear of engine mods for now and concentrate on what we can do cosmetically. Secondly we needed to get the car done to what we called "Stage I" level by VW's dealer conference this week so they could show it to dealers. That meant we had about 2.5 weeks to get all the parts we needed, refinish the wheels, make sure everything actually bolted up to a brand new model and order a few other odds and ends. But the opportunity to be the first to modify a new Beetle doesn't come along very often and who's going to turn this down?

FULL STORY and GALLERY

**xJOKERx** · 06-07-2011 06:00 PM

Greatness!

**VapedTalon** · 06-07-2011 06:07 PM

I can't wait to see the wing get grafted on there.

**HodgePodge** · 06-07-2011 06:14 PM

Nice!

**AmRando** · 06-07-2011 06:16 PM

Looks good, very GT3-esque. However, unless HPA wants to take a turn at it it's still just a FWD car. It'll never be a proper Beetle RSi.

**Tropic09** · 06-07-2011 06:25 PM

Soo Nice!
I love the fact that I can buy the new beetle with out being laughed at.

**whatsacar** · 06-07-2011 06:44 PM

Digging the color combo and that 3M stuff looks great on the rear badge. Nice work.

**ajz9415** · 06-07-2011 06:48 PM

Looks great my mom really wants one

**mmmGadgets** · 06-07-2011 06:52 PM

Could be lowered a bit more IMO, looks 4x4ish but I dig the colour combo.

**Zaedrous** · 06-07-2011 07:05 PM

Love it! Any chance VW will let you display it at Waterfest this year?

**A3VRSIX** · 06-07-2011 07:29 PM

Needs 19's and more low... then it will be money

**rico_arg** · 06-07-2011 07:57 PM

i want!!!!

**TREGinginCO** · 06-07-2011 07:58 PM

Absolutely GREAT looking ride!!!!

**VW1.8Tsunami** · 06-07-2011 08:03 PM

wow, looks great. Never thought I would consider owning a beetle but now...

**.:Rudeboy** · 06-07-2011 08:06 PM

Looks sick Jamie. You guys gonna have this at WF this year?

**VW6SPEED** · 06-07-2011 08:30 PM

It actually looks good, But i would have stayed with the 19's and lowers it a bit more.

**imhondude** · 06-07-2011 08:36 PM

Sorry:

The orange wheels and decals look really tacky, especially when there's no additional "go" to back up the look.

It may work on a Porsche, but I think understated and classy would be better on a Beetle rather than boy racer/ricer.

**adgoff21** · 06-07-2011 08:44 PM

As stated before, wheels are to large and it looks like a matchbox car.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

**D Clymer** · 06-07-2011 08:52 PM

Looks amazing! I think the wheels and the stance look perfect. What an exciting opportunity.

**vincenzo** · 06-07-2011 09:20 PM

It doesn't need more low to me. Stance is just right. It's beautiful.

**yip** · 06-07-2011 10:05 PM

I almost want one after seeing these pics

**Skela** · 06-07-2011 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by imhondude

Sorry:

The orange wheels and decals look really tacky, especially when there's no additional "go" to back up the look.

It may work on a Porsche, but I think understated and classy would be better on a Beetle rather than boy racer/ricer.

I have to agree... stick with 19's and loose the RS badging until you have to go-fast bits to back it up.

It's great to hear the hardware similarities with the GTI though...

**Seanele** · 06-07-2011 10:29 PM

i would go for 18"..and lowered it more.., but that setup is already nice..great job!

**nkgneto** · 06-07-2011 10:45 PM

Looks good it's nice to see the idea become a reality.

**firstorbit84** · 06-07-2011 10:55 PM

grammar police:

We know it is a blatant homage and some will cry fowl...

should be "foul," not "fowl."

come on vortex editors.

**DriveVW4Life** · 06-07-2011 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by vincenzo

It doesn't need more low to me. Stance is just right. It's beautiful.

Originally Posted by D Clymer

Looks amazing! I think the wheels and the stance look perfect. What an exciting opportunity.

I agree with you gentlemen.
Awesome stance. Looks amazing.

I'm getting sick of the "go lower" mentality around here.
Clearly, we've been in the game a lot longer.
Listen to your elders- low isn't everything.

As far as the taking the decals OFF because they haven't added the 'go' bits yet..
Silly.
It will live up to the RS badge. Give em a minute.

**CrazyMonkey** · 06-08-2011 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by DriveVW4Life

As far as the taking the decals OFF because they haven't added the 'go' bits yet..
Silly.
It will live up to the RS badge. Give em a minute.

Methinks they didn't read the entire article where it clearly states that VW had a few conditions:

"For starters this is one of only a handful of preproduction autoshow cars in the U.S. and the car can't be driven on the streets as it was made to sit on a turntable and that's it. No registration, no plates, no airbags = no street legal. No problem we say, we'll steer clear of engine mods for now and concentrate on what we can do cosmetically."

Then later on in the article:

"The next step is to try and graft on a 997 GT3RS rear wing and after that we wait for an actual early production car that can be driven so we can move forward with a turbo upgrade, exhaust and locking torque biasing differential to help put that new power to the ground."

For the record, I'm going to be watching to see what happens. Nice work!

**Ungarisch** · 06-08-2011 12:31 AM

please don't put those cheap ass wheels on it.

If anything use real Porsche wheels with adapters if your going for that look.

**DriveVW4Life** · 06-08-2011 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Ungarisch

please don't put those cheap ass wheels on it.

If anything use real Porsche wheels with adapters if your going for that look.

Someone else didn't read the article..

**Ungarisch** · 06-08-2011 12:46 AM

ebay....

Porsche wheels aren't really that expensive

**DriveVW4Life** · 06-08-2011 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Ungarisch

ebay....

Porsche wheels aren't really that expensive

Let me help:

"The first major hurdle was trying to track down a set of Porsche GT3RS wheels in a 19" size. The stock wheels are $1,500 a piece. Getting a set of 19" GT3RS replica wheels has proven to be very difficult and compounding the issue is that the Beetle Turbo model has 19" wheels stock with 235-45R19 tires. So putting another 19" wheel wouldn't look all that special."

I'm cool with the VMRs.
The guys at VMR make quality reps and support the VW/Audi community.
Why do you think so many people buy their product?
It's also cool to see a project car that's affordable for the everyday guy like me that reads these Vortex articles.

**Ungarisch** · 06-08-2011 01:13 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/20-PO...#ht_3709wt_939

coulda looked 100x better for a fraction

**Ungarisch** · 06-08-2011 01:17 AM

or actual 20" GT3 wheels in 20s (aka cayenne wheels)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSC...#ht_528wt_1165

**vwbugstuff** · 06-08-2011 01:36 AM

Hey Jamie,

Any chance you can find a way to bring the Beetle to NIVA's "BUGFEST" in West Chicago on June 26th? That would be cool!!!!

**85GTI** · 06-08-2011 09:37 AM

I'm not down with the wheels - too frakkin big for such a small car. Color scheme is good though.

VWVortex

Thread: VWvortex Project Beetle RS - Stage I

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

VWvortex Project Beetle RS - Stage I

FV-QR

Posting Permissions