Description
The Beetle is an important part of Volkswagen’s history and heritage. But contrary to its cute looks, this car has also had its time in the limelight of motorsports as far back as the 1950s. Early in its history the Beetle had won the East African Safari Rally 3 times, and was a part of the top group in the Greek Acropolis Rally. There have been one make races based on the new Beetle that debuted in 1998, and in more recent years it has seen notable success in the Global Rallycross held in the U.S.
This Beetle Gr.3 is a model that traces this racing legacy of the Beetle. The greatly modified exterior and internals contain the essence of racing victory that Volkswagen has nurtured over the years. The body is widened to allow bigger diameter wheels, and the roof has been lowered to reduce the frontal projected area, giving it a look similar to a modified classic chop-top Beetle. The front spoiler, the air outlets from the front tires to the door panels, combined with a giant wing in the rear tells a lot about the performance levels of this car.
The powertrain consists of a DOHC 2-litre inline-4 with a high-pressure turbocharger, combined with VW’s proven 7-speed DSG. Its power will vary depending on the Balance of Performance (BoP) per race, but is of course more than adequate for fighting in the Gr.3 class races.
This racing Beetle lives in a different dimension to the cute Beetles you see on the streets.
