It's been hinted at for for some time, but finally VW is giving its iconic Beetle hatch the Dune treatment. A rugged version of the retro 'Bug' has made its debut at the LA Motor Show, before its arrival in showrooms in early 2016.
Although not a true 'dune buggy' and more of a lifestyle crossover design, the Beetle Dune has been designed primarily for the American market. But we expect it to make it over to Europe just after its US launch.
The jacked-up is available as a coupe or convertible, with a design intended to hark back to the highly customized buggies of the 1960s. Chunky retro wheelarch extensions widen the body by 14mm, while a wider track also features (7mm front, 6mm rear). It's also 10mm further off the ground to give it a touch of off-road capability.
The slightly elevated ride also brings with it unique front and rear bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels and bespoke Sandstorm Yellow metallic paintwork with 'Dune' side decals. Despite the rugged look and jacked-up suspension, four-wheel drive isn't mentioned as an option.
On the inside, there’s a new dashboard design and sport seats, while climate control and a colour touchscreen with Apple Carplay are standard-fit. As for engines, the familiar range of three petrol turbos and two diesels will be offered, with power ranging from 104bhp to 217bhp.
We previously drove a near production-ready concept version of the Beetle Dune on German roads, which gave us a good idea of what to expect from the finished product. The bad news? There's no confirmation yet that the Beetle Dune will come to the UK.
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