Here's A Rare Chance To Buy A VW Beetle RSI

Just 250 of these VR6-engined Beetles were made, but we're not sure that quite justifies the price of this one
Here's A Rare Chance To Buy A VW Beetle RSI

At the Geneva Motor Show this week, VW’s R&D boss Frank Welsch confirmed that the VW Beetle is effectively being killed off. There won’t be a replacement for the current version, so once production ends, the Beetle name will once again disappear from VW’s range.

We’re not likely to shed a tear - the retro pastiche, Golf-based machine hasn’t ever been an object of the average petrolhead’s affection, after all. But, there was one version of the earlier, Mk4 Golf-underpinned ‘New Beetle’ which we are rather fond of: the RSI.

Here's A Rare Chance To Buy A VW Beetle RSI

This is no ordinary Beetle, as you can tell from the brilliantly OTT bodywork - complete with a comedy-size rear wing - and the orange leather bucket seats in the cabin. The reason for those lairy additions is what’s under the bonnet - a 219bhp 3.2-litre VR6 engine.

This narrow angle sort-of-V6 sends its power to all four wheels via a Haldex clutch-based system, and that should sound familiar, because the Mk4 Golf R32 used the same configuration. Some two years after the debut of the RSI.

Here's A Rare Chance To Buy A VW Beetle RSI

The RSI was - in a way - as an expensive, exclusive test mule for the R32, with only 250 of the steroid-injected Beetles built from 2001 to 2003. Today, there are just two right-hand drive cars left in the UK, and that’s had a dramatic effect on the prices surviving cars are being listed for: the RSI you see here is up for auction on eBay with an eyebrow-raising starting price of £40,000.

Here's A Rare Chance To Buy A VW Beetle RSI

Quite a figure, especially given that you can have the aforementioned R32 - with the same platform, engine and four-wheel drive system - from about £6000, and the related Mk1 Audi TT V6 for even less. Unbelievably, there are left-hand drive examples being flogged for even more. Yep, the modern classic car market has well and truly jumped the shark.

eBay auction via Lewis Kingston

Update: the auction has since - unsurprisingly - ended with no bids…

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Comments

Anonymous

Still have a Golf R32 tho…
Cheaper.

03/08/2018 - 12:41 |
148 | 0
Nishant Dash

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Ikr! Lighter too

03/08/2018 - 12:43 |
14 | 10
Soni Redx (MD Squad Leader) (Subie Squad Leader)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

And you can buy one off GT 5.

03/09/2018 - 01:25 |
4 | 0
ᴶᵘˢᵗᴬᴿᵃⁿᵈᵒá

We will all miss it

03/08/2018 - 12:41 |
0 | 2
Nishant Dash

Tbh I could rear engine swap a VR6 into it for cheaper

03/08/2018 - 12:43 |
52 | 50

FYI: engine swaps aren’t plug-and-play.

03/08/2018 - 13:26 |
70 | 6

Engine swapping isn’t as easy as everyone thinks it is mate, games like Forza make it seem so easy. There’s a shitload of time, money and pain involved in it. Let’s not forget you’re not actually a expert mechanic.

03/08/2018 - 17:12 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

Porsche 911 Carrera 4: Front engine edition

03/08/2018 - 12:43 |
90 | 26
Nishant Dash

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It’s AWD
Edit: you’re welcome

03/08/2018 - 12:49 |
16 | 26
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

aka Porsche 911 Carrera 4 stuck in its reverse gear

03/08/2018 - 13:17 |
30 | 0
Anonymous

So it is basically a more hideous but underrated version of a 911 with the engine in the right place and its cylinders in a v formation

03/08/2018 - 12:49 |
4 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Actually, its more of a z formation

03/08/2018 - 16:07 |
0 | 0
Duggan (koalafan) (koalafan7) (Esprit Team) (Z32 Group) (Lot

Looks like they changed the design of the handle to pull your car out of tight places or mud. Oh they just added a spoiler. Lol I was trying to find s picture, I’ve seen some me new beetles with a spoiler similar to a supra and it had a gap between the body and it.

03/08/2018 - 13:05 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Is this salomondrin? 🤔

03/08/2018 - 13:06 |
4 | 2
suchdoge

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

He has a Beetle RSI , but not this one.
I love the sound of them…

03/08/2018 - 13:33 |
4 | 0
Raphael_saksono

ricer alert

03/08/2018 - 13:08 |
4 | 20
Niko Ala-Rämi 🇫🇮

This would have looked great in nfsmw 2005

03/08/2018 - 13:24 |
12 | 2
TheMindGarage

£40,000? For a car that will make everyone think you’re (a) driving your girlfriend’s car and (b) really want a 911 GT3 but can’t afford it.

03/08/2018 - 13:27 |
26 | 0

True lol

03/08/2018 - 13:39 |
4 | 12