Remember the Beetle Dune Concept we showed you a while ago? It’ll be in showrooms sometime in 2016.
Car reports Volkswagen announced production of the concept through a promotional video instead of the usual press release. Pricing for the new Beetle — which will come in coupe and convertible forms — will be €2,800 ($3,800 USD) over the standard Beetle.
Though no form of power has been specified — the concept had a 210-horsepower 2-liter turbo-four mated to a six-speed dual-clutch pushing those ponies to the front wheels — the production model will receive the concept’s 2-inch ground clearance and 1.1-inch wider track.
As for when the Dune will be seeking out its Kwisatz Haderach in the United States, Autoblog says VW of America has no official plans ready for announcement as of this writing, according to representative Mark Gillies.
VW, answering the question no one asked. A “dune buggy” w/ the off-road aesthetic yet little capability.
Apparently for people who don’t want to be noticed.
“with the off-road aesthetic yet little capability”
Yes, like the new Jeep Renegade. Most cars are about image and nothing more. Selling image is much more profitable than selling capability.
The Jeep Renegade will have ten times the off road capability as this Beetle with an appearance package.
Renegades are what you’ll be begging a tow from after you get stuck in your dung beetle that you foolishly tried to take off road.
You don’t have to be a Mentat to figure out that raised ride height equals more sales.
Are U.S. sales of the current Beetle that good, that it warrants derivatives? I’d rather see the Polo or Golf Sportsvan here.
not sure it’s aimed at the US per se, but they are planning a bunch more beetle derivatives. Based solely on cosmetic changes it is a dung beetle indeed
You know, when I scanned the headline, I thought it said “VW Will Begin Production of Dung Beetle in 2016.” Wow… need more coffee.
Products like this explain why VW is not particularly successful in the US.
No 4-motion, wide performance street tires: what makes this an “off-roader”?
“You’ll look like Graham Norton’s plumber.”
I’m sure the added sand exposure will help VW’s already-poor wheel bearing reliability.
This offering signals the approaching end of the Beetle nameplate.
2 inch ground clearance. That’ll change its looks a bit.