Makes › Volkswagen › New Beetle › New Beetle RSi · Rare specification · 2001–2003 Extremely Rare
Volkswagen
New Beetle RSi
3.2 VR6 four-wheel-drive top New Beetle with wide body by Volkswagen Individual.
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 250 Built
- Years
- 2001–2003
- Engine
- VR6 · 3,200 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3.2 L
- Power
- 165 kW / 224 PSFactory: 165 kW
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The RSi was the most powerful production New Beetle, a limited top model with a VR6 engine and all-wheel drive that was closely related in style to the New Beetle Cup racer.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi (Wikimedia Commons: Volkswagen New Beetle RSi)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi (Wikimedia Commons: Volkswagen New Beetle RSi)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi (Wikimedia Commons: Volkswagen New Beetle RSi)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi (Wikimedia Commons: Volkswagen New Beetle RSi)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productionsaloons (limited series) | 2501,2 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Volkswagen showed an RSi study with a twin-turbo V6 in 1999 to hint at a racing-inspired top model. Two years later, in 2001, the production RSi followed in a small series of 250 units.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard New Beetle RSi.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | VR61 |
| Displacement | 3,200 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3.2 L1 |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 165 kW / 224 PSFactory: 165 kW1Rating: manufacturerFactory also states 224 PS. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 371 NmFactory: 371 Nm1 |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | All-wheel drive (Haldex)1 |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | 19 mmFactory: 19 mm1Difference relative to the standard New Beetle, not an absolute length. |
| Width | 86 mmFactory: 86 mm1Difference relative to the standard New Beetle, not an absolute width. |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Factory-listed differences from the standard car: body 19 mm longer and 86 mm wider, front track wider by 45 mm and rear by 59 mm, 235/40 ZR18 tyres and Haldex all-wheel drive. Inside there is a special instrument cluster, extra centre-console gauges and a dedicated sound system.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
New Beetle (1997–2010) Level A Volkswagen Newsroom (Volkswagen AG)
- small series of 250 units
- hot 3.2-litre VR6 engine with 24 valves, 165 kW (224 PS)
- 3.2-litre VR6 engine with 24 valves
- 165 kW (224 PS) and 371 Nm of torque
- Haldex all-wheel drive
- 19 millimetres longer
- 86 millimetres wider
-
2
New Beetle (1997–2010) | Volkswagen Newsroom Level A
- 250 saloons (limited series)
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