VW Injects More Sport into the Beetle With the R-Line Concept

2015 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line Concept (Credit: © Volkswagen)

VW already has an R-Line version of the Beetle, but along with its slew of other Beetle-based concepts, it decided to through one out there that it dubbed the R-Line Concept. From the looks of things, this concept may actually preview a new R-Line Beetle, or possibly an even more performance-oriented model.

First things first, the R-Line Concept features a slightly more powerful engine than the 2015 Beetle R-Line. Now, it’s not a huge increase, but it does kick things up an extra seven horsepower, putting the 2.0-liter TSI engine at 217 ponies. The press release doesn’t dig into any torque upgrades or how it injected this extra power, but it is all likely from computer updates.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line Concept (Credit: © Volkswagen)

This concept also rolled into the show boasting an extra 0.6 inches in width, and wearing an Orynx White coat of paint accented by a set of black-and-yellow decals on the bottom of the body. Also accenting the white paint are gloss-black body moldings, black mirror caps, and revised bumpers with large air vents up front and a diffuser out back. 20-inch Monterey aluminum-alloy wheels round out the exterior mods.

VW chose not to show any images of the cabin, but it did announce that the R-Line Concept features upgraded sports seats, a carbon-fiber-finish dash pad, steering wheel spokes and door inserts, yellow gauges, and yellow contrast stitching.

There is no mention of this concept making its way to production, but I have a sneaking suspicion that we’ll see it at some point. Either it will end up being the new R-Line model or it will come in as a peppier R-Line trim – maybe something like an R-Line +.