Chicago Auto Show: 2013 Volkswagen GTI Special Editions and Beetle R-Line Convertible

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

February 7, 2013

Volkswagen is giving the current-generation GTI a swan song here in the U.S. by introducing two limited edition models at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show.

The first limited edition model is the GTI Wolfsburg Edition that adds eighteen-inch Laguna wheels, throwback golf-ball shift knob, and red-stitched floormats. A six-speed manual GTI Wolfsburg Edition starts at $25,890, while a DSG version will cost $26,990 (both prices include $795 destination charge). Volkswagen says only 2,000 GTI Wolfsburg Editions will be built and arrive at dealers sometime in first quarter.

The second limited edition GTI model from Volkswagen is the Driver’s Edition GTI. The Driver's Edition takes a GTI equipped with the Sunroof and Navigation Package and adds eighteen-inch Laguna wheels, throwback golf-ball shift knob, red-stitched floormats, and leather seats. Pricing for the Driver’s Edition GTI starts at $30,490 for the six-speed manual and $31,590 for the DSG. Only 3,000 Driver’s Edition GTIs will be built and arrive in the second quarter of this year.

Also being shown at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show by Volkswagen is the Beetle convertible R-Line. The Beetle convertible R-Line is the fifth model in Volkswagen's R-Line lineup and comes with nineteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on lower-profile all-season tires, bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, flat-bottom, multifunction leather steering wheel, leather seats, and aluminum pedals.

The Beetle convertible R-Line is due later this year.

Source: Volkswagen

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2 and 3

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES LIMITED-EDITION GTI MODELS

• Acclaimed hot-hatch receives two new trims to close the 2013 model year
  
• Wolfsburg Edition with six-speed manual starts at $25,095
  
• Driver’s Edition with six-speed manual starts at $29,695
  

Herndon, VA / Chicago, - Volkswagen announced today that it will offer two limited-edition models for the GTI for the 2013 model year. The GTI Wolfsburg Edition and GTI Driver’s Edition will be offered in limited quantities for the final model year of the sixth-generation hot-hatch. The limited-edition models are available in four-door guise only and are offered in three colors—Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, and Deep Black.

The first to go on sale is the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, which will be in dealerships during the first quarter of 2013. Featuring the well-equipped GTI’s standard trim, the Wolfsburg Edition adds 18-inch “Laguna” wheels, a retro-themed golf ball shifter knob, and red-stitched carpeted floormats. The Wolfsburg Edition will start at $25,095 for a six-speed manual transmission version or $26,195 when equipped with a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. There will be a total of 2000 Wolfsburg Edition models.

Arriving early in the second quarter of 2013 is the GTI Driver’s Edition. This takes the GTI Sunroof and Navigation package and adds the 18-inch aluminum-alloy Laguna wheels, a golf ball shifter knob, red-stitched carpeted floormats, and partial leather seat coverings. Just 3000 units will be sold in the U.S., priced from $29,695 with the manual transmission and from $30,795 for the version with the six-speed DSG gearbox.

Every GTI Driver’s Edition buyer also receives a Certificate of Authenticity along with a special package of GTI gear that includes a hat, keychain, and parking sign.

VOLKSWAGEN INTRODUCES PERFORMANCE INSPIRED R-LINE® TRIM ON BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

• R-Line specification offers another level of sportiness to the all-new Beetle Convertible lineup
  
• Joins the CC, Tiguan, Touareg, and the Beetle coupe as the fifth car in the R-Line family
  

Herndon, VA / Chicago, - Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show that it will offer the R-Line trim on another model for the U.S. market. Joining the CC R-Line, Beetle R-Line coupe, and the recently introduced Tiguan R-Line and Touareg R-Line, the Beetle Convertible R-Line will be added to the Volkswagen line-up for model year 2014.

Augmenting the Beetle Convertible Turbo’s impressive list of standard equipment, the Beetle Convertible R-Line adds performance-inspired exterior and interior treatments. On the outside, the R-Line features unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on lower-profile all-season tires. Paired with the Beetle Turbo’s sport-tuned suspension, the combination gives more dynamic driving characteristics. Additional enhancements include an R-Line badge on the front grille and Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs.

Inside, the Beetle Convertible R-Line features “metallic-finish” dash and door trim; a sporty flat-bottom R-Line multi-function leather steering wheel; stainless-steel R-Line scuff plates; aluminum sport pedals; and leather sport seating surfaces. Other interior appointments include the RNS 315 navigation system; Keyless access with push-button start; and the award-winning Fender® Premium Audio System, which delivers rich sound via a 10-channel, 400 watt amplifier with eight speakers and a rear subwoofer. Beetle Convertible R-Line pricing will be announced closer to launch later this year.