DO YOU need a racy German two-door coupé? Of course you do but the answer might not be what you think it is.
Instead of a Porsche 911, meet the VW Beetle R-Line!
SunWheels tested the R-Line and we felt the package gave the Beetle a sporty flair, but there are only 50 units for sale.
The R-Line Beetle has an eye-catching exterior and interior. Special design touches include a redesigned front bumper, with gloss-black trim sporty 18-inch Ravenna alloys.
However, its most attractive feature is that under the bonnet lurks a punchy 1,4-litre turbopetrol engine which is fitted with VW’s slick DSG automatic gearbox.
According to VW it takes 9,1 seconds to reach 100km/h but it feels faster – it is a fun car to drive with excellent handling.
Despite the low-profile tyres the Beetle’s ride is smooth too and absorbs bumps with ease.
VW says it uses 5,7 litres of fuel every 100km but in the real world it may be more thirsty.
The interior has a classic Beetle dashboard but with modern features such as a multimedia system with Bluetooth.
Complementing the car’s sporty nature are extra gauges on top of the dash that show boost pressure and oil temperature, as well as a stopwatch.
The boot space is an impressive 310 litres.
For safety, it has six airbags, ABS, brake assist, stability control and traction control.
The VW Beetle R-Line is one of the coolest hatches available.
Price: R419 900
Engine: 1,4-litre turbopetrol
Zero to 100km/h: 9,1 seconds
