Volkswagen Beetle Dune revealed – Bug gets rugged

First introduced as a concept at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit, the Volkswagen Beetle Dune now makes its official global debut ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed to be reminiscent of the Baja California dune buggies of old, the Beetle Dune is available in two body styles, a coupe and cabriolet.

Volkswagen touts the Beetle Dune as a “completely redesigned model that invites adventure,” but it is based on the current-generation Beetle that rides on the VW Group’s PQ35 platform. However, the Dune gets its fair share of modifications to reinforce its rugged persona.

The Beetle Dune sports an increased ground clearance of 10 mm, along with redesigned body panels as well. At the front, the bumper has been swapped out with a new one that features a larger honeycomb grille that serves as the car’s intakes, below five small slits. The grille is framed by silver surrounds, and flanked by new, larger fog lamp enclosures.

Viewed from the side, the Beetle’s iconic shape continues to shine through. On the Dune, Volkswagen continues the “off-road” look with wheel wells and fender add-ons, both finished in black. Just aft of the front wheels, you will find “Dune” lettering at the bottom of the doors as well. Large five twin-spoke alloy wheels are also fitted as per the theme of the car.

At the rear, a two-tone rear spoiler (black on top, body colour below) is part of the design package. Elsewhere, the taillights have been replaced with new ones that utilises LEDs. The Dune also gets a new rear bumper design with a diffuser painted in Reflex Silver.

Speaking of colour, the Beetle Dune can be ordered in a total of nine different choices, with Sandstorm Yellow Metallic and Dark Bronze Metallic being the newest additions to the range. Additionally, those who opt of the coupe version can have the roof painted black, while the open-top cabriolet get a black soft top only.

The cabin remains familiar as that in the current Beetle, with only a few minor tweaks for the Dune. The styling panel on the dashboard, otherwise referred to as the Dash Pad, is painted to match the car’s body colour. This colour matching extends to the contrast stitching on the sport seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, parking brake handle and other parts. Other areas are finished in black.

In Europe, the pumped-up Volkswagen Beetle Dune will be priced from 23,625 euros for the coupe, whereas the cabriolet will set you back 27,800 euros. Five engines are available here – three turbo petrol and two turbodiesels.

The petrol mills include 1.2 litre, 1.4 litre and 2.0 litre capacities with power outputs rated at 105 PS, 150 PS and 220 PS, respectively. As for the TDI engines, the 1.6 litre produces 110 PS, while the larger 2.0 litre mill dishes out 150 PS.

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