VWvortex apes the Porsche GT3 with Beetle RS project

[Rania Elhoseny]

For all those who look at a Porsche 911 and see a gussied-up Volkswagen Beetle, wait'll you get a load of this.

The Volkswagen gurus at enthusiast website VWvortex were given early access to the new 2012 Beetle, and this is what they came up with: a visual makeover of the new bug that draws its inspiration from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, complete with bright orange 20-inch alloys on low-profile Continental rubber and a matching stripe with the words Beetle RS carved out, just like on the Porsche. The look is further enhanced by blacked-out chrome and badges coated in a 3M brushed-titanium wrap.

Behind those wheels are 14" brake discs from Brembo, but that's about the extent of the mechanical upgrades for the moment. VWvortex is apparently waiting for the car to actually hit the production line before it starts tweaking the engine, after which it plans extensive mods such as a turbocharger upgrade, new exhaust and even a locking diff, along with a GT3 RS-style rear wing to cap it all off. We'll be keeping an eye on the project, but for a closer look, head on over to VWvortex.com.