Friday 10th January 2014

VW Beetle Dune concept

It's 'a car outside of the mainstream' says VW (with normal Beetle underneath)

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And we all thought the VW Dune had died with the Polo! VW is revisiting the faux-4x4 nameplate for its latest Beetle-based Detroit concept with plans to make a production version in the near future.

Dune likely to be made, hence stock cabin

Indeed, VW admits that 'everything about this car is feasible' and that the Dune is 'practically a production vehicle. In case you hadn't guessed, it has been designed for outdoorsy, lifestyley, active sportsy types with its ride height raised by 50mm, extra body cladding and rear ski rack (don't forget these can be used for sandboarding in the summer too).

As is the way with many cars like this, the Beetle Dune concept is only front-wheel drive. It's powered by a 210hp turbo with a six-speed DSG; that power reaches the road in an 'awesome way' thanks to VW's XDS diff lock. Sure.

This is VW's second Beetle Dune concept, the first a more outlandish design study in 2000 soon after the 'New Beetle' was first seen. Because it is so overtly destined for production, the interior is largely familiar to the standard Beetle hatch with bold colours to make it funkier. Or whatever adjective the marketing people would prefer.

VW will release further info on Dune soon after its Detroit debut. Who wants to take one sandboarding?

[mike-r]

Is 'awesome way' a quote from VW?

Terrible.

[Dazed & Confused]

If it was actually 4WD I could see a real market for this among certain types of skiers, surfers, mountain bikers, climbers, etc. They all drive 4-motion Transporters as it is, so VW should know this.

[keiran]

mike-r said:

Is 'awesome way' a quote from VW?

Terrible.

If it is...
I'm Guessing from someone in PR who had no idea what an 'XDS diff lock' was...
or they were being lazy and couldn't be arsed to put thought in and simplify a more technical explanation that was handed to them...


I would have thought they would give it 4 motion awd, then adapt it slightly for a Beetle R

Edited by keiran on Friday 10th January 13:14

[wooooody]

Dung Beetle?

[HeMightBeBanned]

Does anybody on Pistonheads really honestly care a jot about the new VW Beetle, in whatever hideous incarnation VW dream up for it?

[Agoogy]

As a 'concept' it 'looks' perfectly sensible... days spent doodling such things (and not really getting to deep into the oily bits is alot of fun...for the designers... BIG wheels, BIG tyres, extra body cladding, big ground clearance but shallow DLO...a Ski rack! (or sleek roof box perhaps) and some front and rear sump guard-y things et voila!

The opposite is also fun, take an existing SUV and then drop it on big wheels and thin tyres adding race-car adenda...

sadly they're crap if and when they make it to the showroom...

[kambites]

HeMightBeBanned said:

Does anybody on Pistonheads really honestly care a jot about the new VW Beetle, in whatever hideous incarnation VW dream up for it?

As much as any other retro fashion accessory like the MINI or the Fiat 500.

Which isn't very much.

[Fetchez la vache]

I can't think of anything sensible to say.

Did anyone *ever* see a polo dune off the tarmac?

It would be interesting to see how many of those they sold.
On 2nd thoughts, no it probably wouldn't.

[davo23]

HeMightBeBanned said:

Does anybody on Pistonheads really honestly care a jot about the new VW Beetle, in whatever hideous incarnation VW dream up for it?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Well, there's always the Mini Beachcomber which was supposed to be on the way but never emerged,



or VWs own previous concept,

[anonymous-user]

Now this is more like it

[alvington89]

Rather than wasting time with inane concepts like this VW should concentrate on coming up with a modern interpretation of the VeeDub Surf Bus. Having done the Beetle you would think this would be an obvious opportunity. Original ones are making strong money now and one of the reasons is that there isn't a modern alternative that has anywhere near the character of the original.

[rtz62]

What's not to like?

The fact that it's 2wd
The fact that the wheel/tyre combination is so patently 'on-road'
The fact that it's a Beetle
And
The fact hat to get it looking normal instead of the stupid stretched/elongated view they have given us, I have to turn my iPad almost 90 degrees a way from me.

[JamesMK]

Rover Streetwise

[aka_kerrly]

rtz62 said:

I have to turn my iPad almost 90 degrees a way from me.

As a Ipad owner and not a tablet owner you are exactly the sort of person VW will be targeting, form over function is it not

[rxtx]

guy_spyder550 said:

Now this is more like it

That's what I was thinking, make a modern Baja. My dad still has that Tamiya kit, along with the Rough Rider

[P4ROT]

That's just a glorified 911

[mikEsprit]

Needs bigger wheels.

[Russellely]

wooooody said:

Dung Beetle?

ha ha ha

[mybrainhurts]

For a moment there, I thought Mr Hitler had returned.

From the little picture on the home page, those skis looked like rocket tubes.