T H E S A LT B E E T L E
Done.
Vo l k s w a gen
of
America,
Inc., recently announced that its specially tuned Volkswagen Beetle LSR, powered by a
2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection fourcylinder TSI® gasoline engine, has achieved
205.122 mph over a flying mile—the fastest
speed ever recorded for a Beetle. The car was
driven by Automobile magazine contributing
Editor Preston Lerner on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, at the Utah
Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) 2016
World of Speed event.
To achieve the horsepower needed to run
above 200 mph at Bonneville, while adhe-
ring to Southern California Timing Association
(SCTA) G/BGC rules, the powertrain was
specially modified by THR Manufacturing,
based in Santa Paula, Calif. With new turbochargers, pistons, camshafts, connecting
rods, and head modifications, it produced
543 horsepower and 421 pound-feet of torque at the wheels: at the flywheel, that would
be more than 600 hp and nearly 500 lb-ft.
“We are completely thrilled with the Beetle LSR’s performance at Bonneville,” said Dr.
Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product
Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America. “The Beetle is not the most aerodynamic
car in our portfolio, so running 205 mph is a
testament to the power that can be made from
the EA888 TSI four-cylinder engine. This feat