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Ultra-rare ‘high performance’ Volkswagen Beetle RSI that’s one of 250 in existence sells for £63k – it can reach 140mph
Amazingly, it was worth almost double the price of a Porsche when new
AN ultra-rare 140mph VW Beetle that's one of just 250 in existence has sold for £63,000 at auction.
The little hatchback has done just 12,000 miles since it rolled off the production line in 2001, just two years before the model was discontinued.
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The Beetle is one of the most iconic and beloved cars ever made, instantly recognisable from its unique design and hump-like curved bonnet.
The RSi variant, of which this car is one, was a "performance-focussed" variant on the traditional economy car.
It was created as effectively a road legal version of the motors used in the New Beetle Cup racing series.
The sporty configuration replaced the 1600cc flat-four engine used in the standard version with a tuned-up V6, bumping the top speed up from 115mph to 140mph via a hefty 223 horsepower.
Amazingly, when it launched it cost around £35,000, the equivalent of £62,000, which was almost double the price of a Porsche Boxster at the time.
Only 250 were made in the limited edition run from the brand's factory in Puebla, Mexico and they were only sold in the European, Mexican and Japanese markets between 2001 and 2003.
The one up for sale was originally supplied to the UK, according to the listing on Collecting Cars.
The ad states: "This Volkswagen Beetle RSi is a remarkably rare limited-edition hot hatch, boasting a strong service history and very low mileage from new.
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"Inside, the RSi features heated orange leather-trimmed carbon-fibre Recaro bucket seats, carbon-fibre door panels, billet aluminium trim, and a cross brace behind the rear seats.
"This example remains totally original featuring oil pressure and oil temperature gauges, as well as a battery charging gauge, aligned neatly above the heater controls.
"One of only 250 examples ever made, this head-turning Beetle would make a fun steer on challenging roads, and an impressive addition to any collection of modern classic performance heroes."
It was snapped up on January 14 for a winning bid of £63,500.
The buyer will only have to organise a fresh MOT and road tax before hitting the tarmac in their new collector's piece.
It comes after a Land Rover previously owned by King Charles went up for sale for a record-breaking price.
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