Volkswagen Concept R Turns Up Heat on Beetle Performance

The previous generation Beetle, known as the New Beetle, had a cutesy image that it never could shake off in any of its various iterations. Volkswagen intends to change that image with the redesigned 2012 model, and to signal that different approach it launched the car with the Black Turbo Launch Edition.

But what about more intense performance models? The previous generation car only had the Turbo S. At Frankfurt, VW has previewed a Beetle R with the R Concept, another one to put away in the "concept-in-name only" file.

It comes looking a lot more aggressive than the standard car, looking the R part. LED running lights are new, and up front there is a lip spoiler along with more aggressive, widened bumpers and wheel arches. The front and rear fascias are wider by 1.2 inches and the fenders by 0.6 inches.

They are designed to accommodate new R "Talladega" wheels that are 20-inches in size. These wheels are used on the Golf R and Scirroco R models. Unfortunately, we don't get the Scirocco R here but the Golf R is coming. Out back is a new wing and diffuser.

The Concept R gets a dark two-tone color scheme with an exciting (not) color called "Serious Grey." The roof, mirrors, door handles, intakes and other elements are finished in a glossy black. No word on what is under the hood, but we'd expect it to be similar to what powers the other R cars from VW. A production car is a near-certainty; stay tuned.