Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle debuts in Global Rallycross

The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle, piloted by Tanner Foust made its debut at the 2014 Global Rallycross doubleheader in Los Angeles last September 19 to 21.

The back-to-back races at the Port of Los Angeles served as the first test for the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle. According to Rockstar, the said vehicle is “under development for a full assault on the championship in 2015 with the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team.”

"We have the opportunity to fast-forward the car's development by putting it in competition. We've put miles on the car in test sessions but the only way to know how it's really going to perform in a race is to race it," said Foust.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that delivers 548 PS. It can go from 0-97 km/h in less than two seconds.

However, the debut race of the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle was cut short after eight of 10 laps in the final leg. Smoke emerged from the engine bay, forcing Foust to stop the vehicle and finished in eight place. On the other hand, Foust's teammate, Scott Speed, finished at first onboard a Volkswagen Polo R.