- "This Gr.3 race version of the Volkswagen Beetle is on an entirely different level to the road-going model."
- ―In-game catch text for the car, from GT7's car collection
The Volkswagen Beetle Gr.3 is a race car produced by Volkswagen, based on the A5 (2011-2019) Volkswagen Beetle. It appears in Gran Turismo Sport and Gran Turismo 7.
Liveries[]
Two liveries are available:
- Variation (#53 Volkswagen Motorsport GTC, GT7 only)
- #53 Volkswagen Motorsport (unlisted in-game)
In-game description[]
- "This Gr.3 racing car is a Gran Turismo exclusive based on the Volkswagen Beetle. It's undergone a number of special updates and improvements, including a switch from an FF to an FR drivetrain. With its wide fenders and chopped roof, this is one seriously sporty makeover."
- ―In-game description of the car, from GT7's Brand Central
Car Index (GT7)[]
The Beetle is an important part of Volkswagen's history and heritage. But contrary to its cute looks, this car has also had its time in the limelight of motorsports as far back as the 1950s. Early in its history the Beetle had won the East African Safari Rally 3 times, and was a part of the top group in the Greek Acropolis Rally. There have been one make races based on the new Beetle that debuted in 1998, and in more recent years it has seen notable success in the Global Rallycross held in the U.S.
This Beetle Gr.3 is a model that traces this racing legacy of the Beetle. The greatly modified exterior and internals contain the essence of racing victory that Volkswagen has nurtured over the years. The body is widened to allow bigger diameter wheels, and the roof has been lowered to reduce the frontal projected area, giving it a look similar to a modified classic chop-top Beetle. The front spoiler, the air outlets from the front tires to the door panels, combined with a giant wing in the rear tells a lot about the performance levels of this car.
The powertrain consists of a DOHC 2-litre inline-4 with a high-pressure turbocharger, combined with VW's proven 7-speed DSG. Its power will vary depending on the Balance of Performance (BoP) per race, but is of course more than adequate for fighting in the Gr.3 class races.
This racing Beetle lives in a different dimension to the cute Beetles you see on the streets.
Acquisition[]
| Game | Purchase location | Credits | Other methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Turismo Sport | Volkswagen Brand Central | 450,000 | Sign a contract with Volkswagen for the Manufacturer Series.[1] |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Volkswagen Brand Central | 450,000 | Sign a contract with Volkswagen for the Manufacturers Cup. |
Trivia[]
The embossed GT logo on the rear cabin
The embossed GT logo on the headrest, alongside the "BTL" logo on the side of the headrest and the default driver names on the side windows
A Beetle Gr.3 with forced Michelin tire stickers in GT Sport; tire stickers typically cannot be changed here.
- The default car number references the Herbie the Love Bug film series, which features a first-generation Beetle that sports a #53 in all appearances. This applies to both its regular and alternate variant livery in GT7.
- According to developer/tester Kazuki "YAM23" Yamada (at the 2019 Japan National Sports Festival eSports finals stream), it was designed by Volkswagen themselves rather than by Polyphony Digital, as it was the case with fictional Gr.3 cars. However, according to Volkswagen, the design was made by Polyphony Digital's design team in Los Angeles.
- Because of this, it is the only fictional Gr.3 car with its own unique description. Usually, fictional race cars would have an extension to their descriptions stating that it was tuned to a specific category's regulations, with no specifics whatsoever. Its design features were also unique compared to most fictional Gr.3 cars.
- The GT by Citroën Gr.4 is another fictional racing car made newly with a unique description, as the modifications were designed by Takumi Yamamoto, the designer of the original car.
- Unlike most fictional Gr.3 cars, it features driver names by default: Bjoern Hackbarth (Germany), Tom Holden (Great Britain), and Xavier Delvallée (France), all of which are, or were, designers hired by Volkswagen at one point.
- Unusually for a non-Vision GT based Gr.3 car, tire stickers cannot be changed in the Livery Editor, its rims also cannot be changed in GT Sport.
- It is also the only fictional Gr. race car that is not accompanied on the car roster by its base road-going model as of GT7 v1.61.
- However, in the Gran Turismo World Tour events, it has been shown running with Michelin tire stickers, and as of Update 1.61 (GT Sport)/2022 post-season exhibition seasons (GT7), the Michelin Pilot Sport tire stickers will override any other in FIAGTC/GTWS races in Sport Mode.
- Embossed Gran Turismo logos can be found on a rear area of the interior and the head restraint of the driver's seat, which also features an embossed "BTL" logo on the outside sides.
- German tuner JP Performance created a real-life replica using a road-going A5 Beetle. Unlike the in-game depiction, the replica features a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo, a DSG gearbox, and four-wheel drivetrain, and is not meant to be raced professionally.[2]
- The alternate variant livery in GT7 is based on the Volkswagen Golf GTI GTC that competed in the South African Global Touring Car series.
- Unlike the original livery, the variation livery is missing a hot surface warning on the side exhaust.
- It is one of the few Gr.3 cars to have seven gears instead of six, with the others being the GT by Citroën Race Car (Gr.3), the Volkswagen GTI Vision Gran Turismo Gr.3, and the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo (Gr.3 Version).
Gallery[]
.jpg "Volkswagen Beetle Gr.3 (GTWS MC 2022).jpg (282 KB)")
Notes[]
- ↑ As GT Sport's servers has been shut down on January 31, 2024, and as the last Manufacturer Series race in GT Sport was held on December 25, 2021, it is no longer possible to obtain the car this way.
- ↑ German Tuner Wants to Build GT Sport’s Beetle Gr.3 Race Car - GTPlanet