For 2014, the Beetle range receives a number of enhancements, trim line changes, and a new special edition model, the GSR.

The base Beetle's 2.5-liter engine will be phased out later in the 2014 model year and replaced by a new turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Electro-mechanical power steering replaces the 2.5’s hydraulic setup. All Beetle models now have a multilink rear suspension, replacing the torsion beam setup on the base 2.5 and TDI models.

The 2014 GSR is a modern re-interpretation of the 1970s GSR (Yellow Black Racer). The body and the R-Line bumpers on the new GSR are predominantly yellow, the hood is mainly black, and the trunklid, roof, and the exterior mirror caps are all black. The new car has yellow/black stripes with "GSR" lettering above the side skirts and a large rear spoiler to complete the look. The car rides on 19-inch "Tornado" aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/40 tires.

The Beetle Turbo lineup is renamed as the R-Line for 2014, adding aggressively styled bumpers front and rear as well as R-Line exterior badging and R-Line door sill kickplates. The top R-Line Sunroof and Sound with Navigation also features unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, and leather seating surfaces; black interiors also get an R-Line badge on the steering wheel and a metallic finish dash pad.

Among other changes to the Beetle, the TDI with Sunroof model is removed from the lineup, while a rearview camera is available on the Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation trim levels on the Beetle, Beetle TDI Clean Diesel, and Beetle R-Line models.

The designers wanted to develop the latest Beetle around the profile of the earliest cars rather than the 1998 New Beetle. It's a car that respects the past but looks toward the future.