VW Beetle gains rugged 'Dune' Style

Published Jan 14, 2014

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Detroit Motor Show - Though it's not quite a dune hopper in the practical sense, Volkswagen's Beetle has been dressed up with an off-road look and this latest Dune concept looks a lot more production ready than the previous Dune that bowed way back in January 2000.

In fact, Volkswagen has even hinted that the latest Dune concept could become a production reality, given that the company is gauging reaction to the car from the public and media at the motor show this week.

Although the Dune concept rides 50mm higher off the ground than the standard Beetle, its life purpose is still more about posing than bundu bashing.

And it certainly poses in style with its five-spoke 19-inch alloys, 'Arizona' yellow-orange paint job, bolder front bumper, more bulbous bonnet, two-part wheelarch extensions, brushed aluminium sill panels, large rear spoiler and, to salute the Beetles of yore, a rear-mounted ski-rack.

It is very much as per the standard Beetle inside, with the exception of a large passenger grab handle that replaces the glove box.

The Dune also poaches the Beetle's most potent engine option, this being the 155kW 2-litre TSI turbopetrol engine, mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox.

Has the Beetle finally become vaguely macho?

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