LA MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen reveals Beetle Dune

Volkswagen has unveiled its off roader-inspired Beetle that could be seen as a spiritual successor to the Baja Beetles that used to race in the US.

Called the Beetle Dune, the production-spec car picks up where the 2014 Detroit motor concept left off but gets even more overt off-road styling.

Featuring a ride height that’s been jacked-up by 10mm, there’s also a wider front (+6mm) and rear track (+7mm), plus tougher, more rugged styling and more off-road-biased tyres and 18-inch alloy wheels, the Dune pays homage to the Baja Beetles that have raced the Baja peninsula in California since the Seventies.

At the front of the Dune there’s a new bumper that incorporates a larger central air intake and faux bash plate. At the rear, there’s another new bumper and bash plate, plus a new spoiler. Black plastic cladding, meanwhile, widens the car by a considerable 14mm and should provide some limited protection should you ever venture in the bush.

Like the old Baja Bug, the new Dune come with just two-wheel drive, although, unlike the racing Beetles the Dune runs front-wheel drive, rather than the rear-wheel drive of the original.

In Europe, the Beetle Dune comes with the 77kW 1.2-litre turbo, 110kW 1.4-litre turbo and a 162kW 2.0-litre turbo sourced from the Gold GTI. On the diesel side there’s the choice of either an 81kW 1.6-litre or more powerful 110kW 2.0-litre. A six-speed manual or the option of the dual-clutch automatic with either seven- or six-speeds, depending on the engine, will also be offered.

Available in both hatch and convertible, pricing has already been announced in Europe and will begin at around $30,000 when it goes on sale early 2016.

It’s not known how much the Dune will cost when it gets here, if Volkswagen Australia chooses to import it.