Traditional German tuning haus ABT Sportsline has been involved in “breeding beetles” for decades, from the days when the standard VW was disrespectfully nicknamed “creepy-crawly” in its native Germany.
But now it has turned its attention to the latest version VW scarab on wheels and, recognising that the Beetle is no longer an entry-level vehicle, has taken it upmarket to create the Beetle Limousine 5CO.
The baseline is a mild engine upgrade that takes the two-litre turbopetrol from 147 to 176kW (that's an improvement of 29kW, ABT points out, the same as the total output of a 1965 Beetle!) partly due to an authoritative 'kezorts with distinctive oval tailpipes.
HERBIE DRESSED UP IN CARBON FIBRE
The 5CO also runs shorter springs, special ABT brake callipers in gloss black, and your choice of 18, 19 or 20” rims shod with appropriately low-profile rubber.
The styling is an interesting meld of 'retro' and 'race', including headlight covers, tail light clusters and number-plate bracket straight outta the Fifties, and 'go-faster' stripes a la No.53, over a gorgeous body kit, all made from the light stuff, with red trimlines and a deep front spoiler.
The ABT Beetle Limousine 5CO is no more sure what it is than we are, but it's cute - and a lot less girly than the standard New Beetle 2.0.