The new Volkswagen Beetle may look the part of a mild-mannered bug, but don't let its looks fool you. Underneath that cute profile is an engine powertrain that can be unleashed with the help of the right tuning company. Somebody like the guys from ABT Sportsline, for example.

The German tuning company and the world's biggest tuner for the Volkswagen->ke94 Group has never been one to feel the pressure of making high-performance aftermarket Volkswagens. So when they took the task of creating a new tuning program for the New Beetle, it was only a matter of time before we laid our eyes on this masterpiece.

Aerodynamically, the program includes a new body paint scheme, modified bumpers, new side skirts, a new rear muffler with oval exhaust pipes, front headlight brows that makes it look like a souped-up Herbie, and a set of 19" alloy wheels shod in high-performance tires.

While we certainly enjoyed ABT's aesthetic work on the New Beetle, the crown jewel of this program lies under the hood. The New Beetle's plethora of engine options gave ABT plenty of work, but in the end, they certainly made the most out of it, specifically the top-of-the-line 2.0-liter TSI Beetle that saw its output jump from 200 horsepower all the way up to 240 horsepower. You read that right, fellas. 240 ponies for the New Beetle! That's more powerful than the Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition.

Other engine upgrades for the Beetle include a 1.2-liter TSI that boosted its output from 105 horsepower to 140 horsepower and a 1.4-liter TSI engine with an output jump from 160 horsepower to 201 horsepower. There are also diesel variants that include a 1.6-liter TDI engine whose output went from 105 horsepower to 125 horsepower and a 2.0-liter TDI engine with a bump in output from 140 horsepower to 170 horsepower.

2012 Volkswagen New Beetle "Speedle" by ABT Sportsline

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle "Speedle" by ABT Sportsline
  • Engine/Motor: 2.0-liter TSI engine
  • Horsepower: 240 horsepower
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

.