► Beetle Dune concept becomes reality
► Off-road design cues, raised ride height
► Revealed at 2015 LA motor show
Remember the VW Beetle Dune concept from 2014? (And the similar one before that in 2000?) Here’s the belated production version, making its debut at the 2015 LA show.
What’s the Beetle Dune all about?
It’s a higher-riding, butched-up kind of Beetle. VW says it’s inspired by ’70s dune buggies, although with its tea-tray rear spoiler, wider track and wheelarch extensions we wonder if the design team might have pinned a 911 Turbo picture or two to their 1970s moodboard as well.
Available as either a coupe or convertible, the Dune is packed with classic crossover cues: plastic arch extensions, big wheels (18s are standard) and a (very slightly) heightened ground clearance, although you’d be a braver driver than us if you were to attempt any serious off-road terrain. It’s not the first Volkswagen to wear the Dune name; the 2004 Polo Dune followed a similar faux-by-four recipe.
On sale 2016
Pricing’s yet to be announced but the VW Beetle Dune will be available with five engine choices in Europe: three petrols and two turbodiesels, ranging from 103bhp to a rapid 218bhp.
There are a few new larger-than-life colour choices too: Dark Bronze metallic and Sandstorm Yellow metallic in particular wouldn’t look out of place on an original Beetle-based beach buggy.
CAR predicted a production VW Beetle dune would go on sale back in 2014 – read the original scoop story here.