2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen booth at this year's Chicago Auto Show was filled with various special edition models of the Beetle and GTI. In addition to the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition helps to wrap up the 2013 model year as VW readies the all-new MkVII Golf next year.

Only 3,000 of the GTI Driver's Edition models will be produced in four-door body style only, and the available color palette will be limited to just Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray and Deep Black. The package will come standard with the GTI's Sunroof and Navigation package, and it will add unique features such as the 18-inch "Laguna" wheels, a golf-ball shift knob, partial leather seats and red-stitching on the carpeted floor mats. Buyers of this package will also get a certificate of authenticity and some GTI swag such as a hat, keychain and parking sign.

Starting price for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition is $29,695 with the six-speed manual and $30,795 if you choose the DSG - both prices exclude destination charges.

The press release for both limited-edition GTI models is posted after the jump.

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches

2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has chosen to really expand its performance-tuned portfolio at this year's Chicago Auto Show, bringing along a couple of new Beetles destined for model year 2014, as well as a pair of freshened GTI packages that you'll be able to buy almost right away.

The first, and splashiest of the Chicago goodies on the VW stand has got to be the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR. Don't lose your temper, Acura Integra geeks; in this case, GSR stands for "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer," and harkens back to a sport-tuned classic Beetle from the 1970s. For the 2014 iteration, the GSR gets a 210-horsepower version of VW's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. That engine is enough to push the Beetle to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds, and up to a top speed of 130 mph.

Of course, you'll have long-since noticed the shockingly yellow-and-black livery before you stumble across the Turbo badge on the rear deck. The GSR gets 19-inch alloy wheels, 235-section tires and a tea-tray rear spoiler, but it's the paint and graphics package that will decide if this is your (lemony) cup of tea. Things don't get any subtler inside the car, either, as VW has carried the colorway through to the interior, as well. Only 3,500 Beetle GSRs will be produced, with just more than half of those going to the US - call your dealer today, Wiz Khalifa.

Slightly less racy than the GSR is another Beetle for Chicago; this time a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible with the R-Line package. Almost identical to the standard Beetle Convertible Turbo from a functional standpoint, the 2014 R-Line car gets some unique 19-inch aluminum wheels with lower profile tires, LED DRLs to augment Bi-Xenon headlamps and trim-specific badging. You'll also find R-Line branding sprinkled through the cabin of the car, and a model which is fully kitted out with technology options.

Finally, VW is offering a couple of limited edition GTI models to close out the 2013 model year (yes, we know it's February). There'll be just 3,000 examples of the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition produced, all of them offering new 18-inch wheels, a golf ball shifter knob for the six-speed manual and the sunroof and navigation packages from the normal GTI spec sheet. A Wolfsburg Edition car will make a similar offering, but without the navi and sunroof. The Wolfsburg GTI will start from $25,095 in 6MT trim, while the rarer Driver's Edition will run $29,695 with the stick shift.

Check out press releases for all of these vehicles below, and stay tuned as we bring you all of the live action from the Chicago show floor.

Continue reading Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs

Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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