Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

An homage to the old school Baja Bug – an off-roading classic that recently turned up (unbranded of course) in Grand Theft Auto V – Volkswagen took to the Detroit Auto Show today to unveil a contemporary version of the unique vehicle: the Beetle Dune Concept. Said by VW to be a “Baja Bug for the 21st century,” the concept features decidedly modern Beetle styling cues and comes powered by the R-Line’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed dual-clutch transmission – a setup capable of 210 hp. Measuring slightly longer, taller and wider than the current Beetle while also sporting an extra two inches of ground clearance, the Dune Concept includes a brand new raised hood while the redesigned front fascia provides a unique, aggressive take on the Beetle’s iconic front end. In the back, a slide-away spoiler cleverly incorporates a ski and snowboard rack while the interior’s infotainment system boasts a 7.7” AMOLED display alongside a combination of cloth and leather throughout. Could this be the final production culmination of the ill-fated “New Beetle”-based Dune that made its debut (in concept form) more than a decade ago? Only time will tell.