Automobiles Review

Tag: Volkswagen Beetle Dune

  • Volkswagen Confirms Beetle Dune Goes Into Production [VIDEO]

    volkswagen-beetle-dune-concept-THUMBVolkswagen Beetle Dune is all about wind, dunes and sea. But this is not the main subject that we want to discuss but rather the video that Volkswgen has just released. As we have predicted earlier last week, the car is going to get a transformation of a concept into a production model. And the footage which you can watch below confirms that. In it you can see the only Dune in existence so far, but starting in 2016 we will see more of these on the road. There is also a statement that the Beetle Dune will also be available as a convertible.

    The concept version of the car was revealed in January at North American Auto Show. In the video below, you can see this Beetle rolling on the road in sunny Sylt, Germany. This model is based on the current production Beetle. It delivers 210 horsepower (155 kW) via its turbocharged petrol engine. The unit is matched with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

    The front-wheel driven Beetle has been raised by 50 mm compared with a standard one. This allow 19-inch wheels fitment, which are then shod with large tyres. A rear-mounted ski-rack on the other hand can accommodate skis as well as sandboards. Inside, the customers will enjoy the 7.7-inch touchscreen positioned in the center console.

    httpv://youtu.be/GtEAnJ3s9wM

    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

    Source: Volkswagen via YouTube

  • Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept Closer To Reality At Detroit

    Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-shadowVolkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-mediumA sketch just a week ago, reality toady: the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept reveals itself to the world in Detroit at the 2014 North American Auto Show. It’s also closer to production than ever. So get your sunscreen and prepare for the amazing sandboarding session you’ve always dreamed of.

    Why do we think the Dune is close to production? Well, it’s pretty much a Beetle. A beefed up one but, nevertheless, a Beetle. It sits 50 mm higher from the ground than the standard counterparts, It has four aggressively flaring wheel arches that widen the body by 24 mm on each side (that’s a total width of 1,856 mm. Consequently, both of the Dune’s tracks get a 29 mm advantage over the standard ones. A track width, then, of 1,607 mm at the front and 1,573 mm at the rear. It sits on four 19-inch wheels wearing 255/45 tires. Main point: even more ruggedness!

    There are some visual gimmicks that no concept goes without, but they are very minimal. Things like the front bumper honeycomb air intakes, LED turn indicators. Then there’s the back which hosts two spoilers that have been specially designed to accommodate a pair of skis… for sand, apparently.

    A very real part of the car, however, is its turbocharged 210 hp engine, which we suspect may have been lifted from a Golf GTI and mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox. Here are some actual figures: 0 to 62 mph gets done in 7.5 seconds; a top speed of 141 mph is “feasible”; and a fuel economy of 23 mpg (city) or 29 mpg (highway). An interesting engineering choice, though, is the FWD setup. It’s called the Dune, people, how do you tackle the sandy stretches?

    Also, inside things have been left production-friendly. The only Dune-specific interior bit is the additional passenger grab handle in place of the glove-box. You’ll have a hard time noticing it anyway, since there’s a 7.7-inch touchscreen display dominating the center console.

    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

    Source: Volkswagen

  • Volkswagen Beetle Dune Off-Roader Makes Debut In Detroit

    Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-THUMBAnother concept is announced to make its official premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it is the Volkswagen Beetle Dune. The brand has released a sketch to reveal the car ahead of debut and through it we can get the impression of Beetle’s cool and rugged offroad look.

    As a matter of fact Volkswagen is taking into consideration the chance to bring in production the Dune concept, making it the sportiest Beetle ever. The details revealed are not many but say much: the body was raised by two inches and the designers bolted a pair of skis to the roof.

    Another interesting fact is that the Dune Concept actually revisits an idea that was born with the New Beetle Dune concept, presented in Los Angeles in 2000. However, the latter car was unsuccessful because of its unrealistic design, interior and roof structure.

    Dune is based on the production R-Line Beetle and will be equipped with 210-horsepower turbocharged TSI engine matched with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The concept puts its power to the ground via the front wheels and a strut-type front and multilink rear suspension, with the XDS electronic differential lock delivering additional traction.

    Source: Volkswagen