The Dune concept aims to be a moderately functional addition the the Bettle lineup. VW raised the Beetle’s ride height by two inches, giving the Beetle a more “go anywhere” appeal. An inch wider track, and mighty 255/45 tires on 19 inch wheels round out the stance. The Dune hides a few clever tricks in its appearance package, however…
The double deck rear spoilers are not there just to entice the youth target, but convert into a clever ski-rack. The rest of the package is rounded out with unique and aggressive front and rear fascias, and interior changes (Including an integrated oh-crap handle in the dash) to keep up with the tough offroad look. Power comes from VW’s familiar 2.0 turbo four with 210 hp, with power directed through VW’s 6 speed dual clutch transmission.
Just don’t call it Baja. We can only dream of what would happen if this was equipped with a proper AWD drivetrain.
A VW Beetle with $200 tires, just what we all were clamoring for.
Someone I know just bought a new Ford Edge Sport with 22″ Pirelli tires. First flat cost $368. I’m sure there will be many.
The Edge Sport is one of the few cars where I suggest people buy the tire protection insurance, especially in areas with pot holes. It pays for itself with one tire. The wheels on that Edge are $1500 via Ford.
Actually the best idea is to not buy a midsized CUV with 22s.
Is the Edge Sport all wheel drive? The donut was tiny in diameter, a definite issue if it is. Even if he’d had tire protection, he would still have been screwed. Flat happened Friday night. Tire arrived Monday afternoon and he was supposed to head back to Orange County Saturday. People sometimes pay for their poor decisions.
255/45/19 tires are not ‘go-anywhere’ tires.
They’re ‘impress your friends’ tires, with sales oddly concentrated in southern CA and coastal Florida. The closest to ‘go-anywhere’ these tires will see is the wind-blown sand in the parking lot near the beach.
And any sand that makes its way into VW’s infamously unreliable wheel bearings will become grounds for warranty violation.
Of course that’s all they expect from the car… All of its press shots are in the parking lot next to the sand.
“the Dune package will be”? So it’s an announced option package, not just a show-floor concept?
Fair point, edited. I didn’t mean to imply it was approved for production.
“We can only dream of what would happen if this was equipped with a proper AWD drivetrain.”
It would compete with the AWD Golf, except be more ugly and less practical, with a more narrow audience. That’s what.
Two inches of extra suspension is notable (if travel is improved, too),and VW still pays out contingency cash for SCCA Rallycross.
I don’t see much point in the extra height and still having FWD though. Anything mucky enough to hit the bumper is going to stop you.
You really think an AWD Beetle Baja with a modicum of ground clearance and some ‘Synchro’-badge 4Motion underpinnings would sell LESS than an AWD Golf that a few ‘net fanboys would love to buy if bitcoin was universally accepted?
If that’s your crowd for the Golf, what’s your crowd for the Beetle?
Nostalgic middle-agers and women with actual money to spend on frivolous marketing gimmicks.
Its the same reason VW needs a modern Bus/Transporter more than it needs a Borrego.
“women with actual money to spend on frivolous marketing gimmicks”
I think that was on the BMW design execs resume when he was hired.
I’ll be the oddball… I think it looks neat. I don’t know if I’d buy one or not, but I wouldn’t be embarrassed to drive it.
Why?
Darn I was hoping for the modern version of this…
http://www.speedace.info/speedace_images/baja_blue_vw_beetle.jpg
A Beetle tall enough to climb under.
Either that or some bizarre option package connected to the writings of Frank Herbert. “Spice” anyone?
I was thinking Melange Blue LED headlights should be standard.
That would allow you to see further out in time
…i liked their previous dune concept better…
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-Volkswagen-New-Beetle-Dune-Concept.htm
The headlamps aren’t nearly blue enough.
“The rest of the package is rounded out with unique and aggressive front and rear fascias”
Is anyone else concerned that Aggressive Fascists are infiltrating the ranks of VW’s design teams?
So if it’s a Dune Beetle, does it run on methane
Bad choice in name…
This is, of course, the answer to the question, “What would you get if you crossed a dune buggy with a dung beetle?”
Given VW’s ability to mix-n-match parts, the following could be pretty cool:
Bumped 2.0T from GolfR/TT
AWD from same
“Allroad” suspension upgrade 2-3″ lift (done)
Retro steelies from base New Beetle + 60 or 65 series tires
Basically a fun take on the Subie XV CrossTrek.
22 comments and still no Arrakis reference?
This thing is something of a Ghola…
THE BASHAR MILES TEG!
Just wanted to say that.
If Frank Herbert were alive, I’m sure he would drive one.
So SUVs gave way to crossovers, which are giving way to… Compact donks?
Manufacturers are chasing the last dregs of niches, witness this poor little beast, thoroughly unsuited for its proclaimed role, except, except in the imagination of 8 year old boys, where it will leap from dune to dune with perfect ease and hare down the sides of wadis trailing a plume of dust while the intrepid driver completely over-impresses his gawping friends.
It’s hard to buy a bag of unflavored chips these days too. Danish Blue Winsleydale Habanero flavor will make a man of any boy. Same reasoning going on in the minds of VW marketers.
Or something.
AWD would be nice a replacement for those who miss the Eagle S/X 4. I can see Saab 9-3 and 900 hatch owners attracted to these for the hatch and upright seating position.
Jack it up a little higher, give it 16″ steel wheels and price it below 20k; I bet there would be quite a few takers.
If VW really wanted to do something with the Beetle, and I mean REALLY do something with it, they would de-content the crap out of it, drop the price for the thing by $5,000-$10,000, and make it the entry-level model for the brand instead of a lifestyle model that people aren’t buying. That would return it to its economy car roots and put in reach of people who pine for the old car and for younger people looking for cheap transport.
+1
Yea that’s the ticket, or just get a real modern dune buggy like the Polaris RZR S 800
Bitchin’.
My daughter will go crazy about this one including the color because of the way it looks (like a toy car). But my wife would hate it for lack of functionality and I for its price.