The Beetle Dune - A Crossover For The Modern Era

In 1960s, the legendary dune buggies catered for a never-ending summer feeling the world over. They were a Californian invention, which later became a trend in Europe. For Volkswagen, the Beetle Dune pays tribute to the pleasure of driving – featuring the car’s powerfully proportioned styling accents on its body and wide tyres in homage to the dune buggy style.

As its own independent line within the model series, it is possible to identify the Beetle Dune in fractions of a second by its raised body (with an off-road suspension system), 18-inch alloy wheels, a wider track, and distinctive bumpers with diffusers at both the front and rear, black wheel arch and sill extensions, stylized side sills, as well as the “Dune” signature on its side. The Beetle Dune is undoubtedly a crossover for modern society: front-wheel drive and efficient, and as rigid and strong as the dune buggy it once was.

The Beetle Dune is a fully equipped car with bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, sports seats with special fabric seat covers, and features a panoramic sunroof. Available with a 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI engine, featuring 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque, the Beetle Dune has the ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 8.8 seconds. The 1.2-litre turbocharged TSI engine is also offered with 105 PS of power and 175 Nm of torque. Both vehicles have a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard.

The Beetle is the most unique car of the past, the present, and the future. With the Beetle Dune, Volkswagen presents the most successful lifestyle model in a new form, while still staying closely oriented to the unique legacy of this classic car.

The extensively redesigned front end exudes exceptional confidence. In homage to tradition, the Beetle Dune features round bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights curving around each headlight. A large, central air intake with a black honeycomb screen integrated in a silver frame defines the car’s face. Two matte black inserts surround the central air intake and its indicators are mounted in these inserts (along with additional indicators in the door mirror caps) as well as standard cornering lights and fog lights. The additional air intake beneath the bonnet is another distinctive feature of the Beetle Dune.

The black off-road accents are particularly recognisable on the Beetle Dune’s side profile. For instance, the wheel arch extensions are designed with an outer and inner radius – lending a rugged air to the Beetle Dune, while also creating a harmonious unit together with the charismatic design of the distinctive Beetle mudguards. The wheel arches then transit seamlessly into the wrap-around body extensions. The crossover design is further accentuated in the side profile by the black side trim panels (stylised “Beetle” running boards) and the silver-finished side sills. Above its side trim panels, a black double stripe (white if the car body is black) extends to the “Dune” signature at the front. Another elegant feature is the anodised aluminium side window trim strips.

Three elements dominate the image of the rear end: the large rear spoiler, the newly designed bumper, and the newly developed LED tail lights. The rear spoiler is painted in gloss black on top and in the car’s exterior colour on the bottom, which optimises downforce on the rear axle. The bumper also emphasises the special personality of the Beetle Dune: the background surface of the number plate (with LED illumination) and the lower area are both in matte black, with a silver diffuser integrated centrally below the bumper.

The Beetle is unique; it always has been. And that applies to the interior of the vehicle, too. Upon sliding into the driver’s seat, the driver’s attention is immediately captured by a plethora of features: from the dashpad and door shoulders, to the dial surrounds of the main and auxiliary instruments that are finished in “Sandstorm Yellow Metallic”. The dashpad combines innovative technology and controls with an enamel-finished surface and glove compartment, which brings back memories of the air-cooled Beetle. Then there are the auxiliary instruments on the top of the instrument panel, which further serve as a visual bridge to classic sports cars.

Offering more than sufficient space and comfort for four passengers, the Beetle Dune’s interior has been customised even further. Fine details attracts one’s attention – the contrasting stitching on the seats and the central armrest, the leather-trimmed steering wheel integrating the “Dune” logo, the hand brake lever grip and gear lever knob, and the decorative stitching of the cloth floor mats.

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