GOLD black racer the Beetle GSR is heading to Britain, some 40 years after the original made its European debut.

Unveiled earlier this year in Chicago, the car boasts a unique design and powerful 210PS turbocharged engine.

The original GSR was based on the Beetle 1303 S and only 3,500 were produced. Similarly the same number of the new limited edition model will be made worldwide, with just 100 of them are being offered to UK customers.

The bonnet and the bootlid of the 1973 Beetle were painted in matt black, as were the bumpers, while black trim strips underneath the side windows and black/yellow side stripes above the door sills rounded off the look.

Now, yellow and black are the link between old and new - the bonnet and the bootlid of the new Beetle GSR are black once again, and this time so are the roof and the exterior mirror trims.

Black/yellow stripes with GSR lettering ensure a unique silhouette above the side sills, while yellow painted bumpers in new R-Line design and a large yellow and black rear spoiler complete the look.

And unlike the older Beetle, the newcomer can also be ordered in Platinum Grey and Black.

You also get 19-inch Tornado alloy wheels, R-Line racing seats with fabric covers and contrasting yellow stitching, a leather sports steering wheel plus a badge with the car's special-edition number.

The Beetle also boasts an R-Line dash pad, GSR gear stick, leather handbrake lever gaiter and black floor mats with contrasting yellow embroidery.

With a 2.0-litre turbocharged 210PS engine the GSR can hit 62mph in 7.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 142 mph. Combined fuel economy is 38.7mpg and CO2 emissions are 169g/km.

First deliveries are expected in September and prices are £24,900 for the six-speed manual model and £26,400 for the DSG gearbox.