The Volkswagen Beetle
is as fun and peppy as its iconic shape, but drivers hoping to find a V6 for a Volkswagen Beetle are out of luck—unless they manage to get their hands on the uber-rare RSI. The original, popular, and longstanding VW Bug ended its run in 2019 with a 174-horsepower turbocharged inline-four. Few, however, have heard of the souped-up Beetle RSI’s 219-British-horsepower 3.2L VR6 engine—and for good reason. Between 2001 and 2003, a mere 250 were produced.
(Well, 251 if you count the one specially manufactured for a former VW company manager.)
With a starting price tag of $80,000, rarity and age have only made these VR6-powered collectibles more expensive. We knew ye too briefly, dearest RSI!
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Start earning nowVolkswagen Beetle competitors with a V6
We’re sorry to disappoint, but six-cylinder engines are an incredibly rare sight in the world of zippy, lightweight compacts. Take a look at any of Volkswagen’s competitors—like the Honda Civic
, Toyota Corolla
, or Mazda3
hatchbacks—and you won’t find a V6 among them. Similarly-styled European offerings, like the Italian Fiat 500X
or British MINI Cooper
, are also restricted to three and four cylinders, respectively. Among Volkswagen’s other models, the Atlas SE
(with Technology Package) or SEL
are the only ones to offer a V6. Compacts like the Golf R
and Golf GTI
, again, use an inline-four. It seems with the push toward electric and hybrid engines—and an emphasis on less curb weight—the days of powerful-but-tiny “pocket rockets” are coming to an end.
How to find affordable Volkswagen Beetle insurance
Whether you stick with a turbocharged I-4 engine or upgrade to a V6, Jerry
can keep pace with you and your car insurance
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