First seen as a concept version of the Beetle in 2000, the RSi initially had a 3.2 litre twin turbocharged V6 with approximately 300bhp. The production version (limited that is, only 250 were planned to be made in total, all LHD) made do with an unturbocharged 3.2 litre V6 with closer to 225bhp, but retained the 4-motion 2 wheel drive system. Essentially it is the same under the skin as the top performance MkIV Golf, the R32.
In addition to the mechanical changes to the car compared to the standard Beetle, the RSi has unique front and rear bumpers and harder edged wings which taken together give the car a much tougher look than the standard Beetle. A large rear spoiler is present as well. The interior has a pair of orange bucket seats and a neat carbonfibre instrument binnacle with two dials as opposed to the standard Beetles single dial. A superb set of OZ alloy wheels and low profile tires complete the package.
One thing the RSi is not is cheap! I believe in Germany you could buy a regular Porsche 911 Carrera for not too much more than the Beetle RSi costs, which does not seem like the best value in the world! Definitely a car for someone keen on out of the ordinary vehicles!
AUTOart have done a good job on this model of the RSi, which in particular has great wheels and brakes. The interior looks very good too but the engine looks rather bland (which is I suppose more a reflection on how some modern cars have boring looking engines hidden away under plastic covers).
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