Volkswagen Beetle R Concept Previews Potential Range-Topper

Volkswagen's collection of Up! concepts are holding up the eco-minded end of the carmaker's Frankfurt stand this week, but it's the Beetle R Concept that has captured the most attention.

The arrival of an R-badged Beetle, while strictly a "concept" at this stage, is sure to fuel the already heavy speculation that a new top-shelf variant will join the 2012 Beetle line-up.

Interestingly, the Beetle R concept has upset the cart somewhat, appearing even before a GTI version - although the 147kW Beetle TSI fills that slot for now.

Volkswagen hasn't revealed what's driving the Beetle R, but as with the Golf R and Scirocco R, we can likely expect to find the carmaker's 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

In Europe, the engine delivers 199kW in the Golf R, and 195kW in the Scirocco R. The Australian-delivered version of the Golf R delivers 188kW.

On the outside, the Beetle R is set apart from the regular 2012 Beetle with unique front and rear bumpers - styled differently to the almost identical bumpers of the Golf and Scirocco equivalents.

There are also polished 20-inch versions of the usual R 'Talladega' wheels, along with a gloss black roof, a ventilated bonnet and a large rear wing.

Move inside and the Beetle R Concept offers sports seats in black Nappa leather trim, along with Space Blue piping on the seats and around the shifter.