Ahead of a Detroit show debut, VW has shown the world a sketch of an off-road concept version of their Beetle called the Dune Concept.
It would seem the Germans are heading off the tar with yet another concept more than happy to get its tyres dirty. After the VW group’s Audi Nanuk shown at Frankfurt and rumours of an off-road 911 concept in the offing, comes the Beetle Dune Concept.
So it’s a 4×4 Beetle then? Actually no. It’s front-wheel drive only, though it does have VW’s XDS electronic differential locking system, which aids front axle traction. Ride height is also increased by 5cm and there’s also some bolted-on plastic body kit ala Audi Allroad. The car is powered by a 156 kW four-cylinder turbopetrol and has a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
According to VW, the car shows “potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle.” We’re not entirely sure what it shows though. It’s called the Dune Concept, but shows a pair of snow skis on the a rear rack… and it’s not all-wheel drive?
Perhaps we’re missing something here – let’s wait and see what the real thing looks like when it’s unveiled at next weeks North American International Auto Show in Detroit. More info will be available then too.
It’s not the first time VW have done this with the re-invented Beetle either. For the 2000 LA Auto Show they unveiled the first Dune concept (see images in the above gallery).