VW Beetle Turbo S

This Bug has got the power we always knew it could handle, thanks to the same 180bhp engine as in the Audi TT. The 1.8-litre turbocharged unit gives the car a handy 30bhp power boost, meaning it'll hit 60mph from rest in only 7.4 seconds and top 130mph. Yet the extra power does nothing to unstick the Beetle's neutral roadholding.

If anything, this makes the newcomer more positive through bends, especially as it benefits from stiffer suspension, standard 17-inch alloys, wider tyres and electronic stability control.

That said, the improved performance doesn't slap you too hard in the face. On the road, the Bug doesn't feel that much quicker than the standard 1.8T, largely because of its six-speed manual gearbox. While it aids fuel economy, the sixth ratio makes little difference to the car's overall refinement, meaning it's very easy to leave the Beetle in fifth while cruising on the motorway. The box is very flexible, however, and has a light if slightly notchy shift.

External modifications are relatively minor. Individual alloys, a chromed twin exhaust pipe, additional front foglights and a retractable roof spoiler which pops up at 45mph are the only differences from a standard Beetle.

Inside, things get a little more racy, with leather bucket seats, drilled pedals and footrests, white-on-black dials and even a brushed aluminium-finish flower vase decorating the dash! The Turbo S also boasts an ear-bursting Monsoon stereo system, in case you feel any more need to draw attention to yourself.

But the comprehensive equipment and punchy new engine don't come without a premium. In America, they add ,000 to the total price, making the car dearer than a Golf VR6. So when the Turbo S hits the UK, don't expect it to cost less than