VW Beetle LSR Achieves Record Time at 2016 World of Speed Event

What is the top speed of the Volkswagen Beetle?

While the Volkswagen Beetle is cherished for its signature curvy design and cultural significance, most people probably don’t realize that the Beetle actually offers excellence performance, especially with the high-powered R-Line model. With this in mind, you may ask, “What is the top speed of the Volkswagen Beetle?” Read more to find out the answer.

Volkswagen Beetle LSR – Fastest Beetle Ever

The top speed of the Volkswagen Beetle is 205 mph, which was recently achieved by the VW Beetle LSR (Land Speed Record) at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The car was driven by Automobile magazine contributing Editor Preston Lerner at the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) 2016 World of Speed event.

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Specially-Tuned VW Beetle for Speed Record

In order to achieve the speed record, Volkswagen’s engineers at THR Manufacturing modified the Beetle’s powertrain. With new turbochargers, pistons, camshafts, connecting rods and head modifications, it produced 543 horsepower and 421 pound-feet of torque at the wheels. At the flywheel, that would be more than 600 hp and nearly 500 lb-ft. Also, the suspension was lowered, special Salt Flat wheels and tires fitted, a limited-slip differential added to aid traction, and the interior was stripped and outfitted with full safety equipment, such as a rollcage, racing seat and harness and a fire suppression system.

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Is the Volkswagen Beetle LSR available for purchase?

The Volkswagen Beetle LSR is not available for purchase, for it was created specifically for the record-breaking speed event at Bonneville. However, Beetle enthusiasts can still get behind the wheel of the high-performance Beetle R-Line. It features a EA888 turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter TSI engine that makes 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically governed top track speed of 130 mph.

If you’d like to read more about the VW Beetle and other Volkswagen models, we encourage you to follow us on the Capistrano Volkswagen Blog.