Back in 2000 Volkswagen showed off the New Beetle Dune concept, its reimagining of the classic Baja Bug, but it never went any further. Now the idea of a rugged looking, jacked up Beetle is back on the agenda - and this one may actually make production.
Exterior
The Dune concept is based on a standard Beetle but to cope with the sand dunes that its designer envisage it tackling the body has been raised 50mm and 19-inch alloy wheels fitted. The arches are slightly wider than that of the standard car with the wheels pushed to the extremities, giving it a wider track. Thanks to protective plastic cladding that adds 12mm to the length the Dune is also longer than the standard car, but the biggest addition (other than the jacked up suspension) is the integrated ski-rack at the rear. Designed to hold skis or indeed sand-skis (it is called a Dune Beetle not a Piste Beetle after all), the addition should appeal to the extreme 'lifestylists' that Volkswagen is aiming the concept at.
Interior
Much of the interior has been carried over from the production Beetle with the main differences being a dashboard painted the same colour as the exterior (Arizona yellow-orange metallic in this case), which is also applied to the stitching for the seats. The dash-mounted glovebox has also been replaced by a grab handle and an XL-sized 7.7-inch touchscreen fitted to the centre console.
Mechanicals
Despite the off-road looks the Beetle Dune is actually front-wheel drive, which will put off some prospective buyers, but others may be enticed with the news that it packs a 210hp turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet and a DSG automatic transmission.
Anything else?
Officially the Beetle Dune is just a concept, but Volkswagen has stated that it is keen to gauge reaction to the car from the public and media at the NAIAS so you may see it in a showroom near you in the none to distant future.