A dune buggy, but in name only
The idea of a Beetle “Dune” might be a little far fetched, but in its own way it evokes the look and style of modified off-road Beetles from another time.
That period began in the late 1960s in (where else) southern California. A few enterprising, but cash-strapped enthusiasts, who were fans of desert racing, hacked away at original VW Beetles to make them both lighter and more resilient to bashing across the barren desert wastelands in the United States and across the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Their modifications included shortening the body and cutting the fenders to fit oversized off-road rubber and wheels.
In short order, barely-street-legal “Baja Bugs,” as they became known, caught on big-time with non-racers. Today, they remain popular, thanks to a dedicated aftermarket that caters to engine, body and suspension modifications.
For 2016, the Beetle Dune coupe and convertible that are slated to arrive this summer don’t directly mimic the Baja Bug. That would be unnecessary since buyers won’t be driving them anywhere near sand. To the beach, yes, but certainly not on it.
Still, the Dune comes with a number of appealing features that are worthy of consideration. Visually, the car’s primary Sandstone Yellow paint job stands out the most and extends inside to a similarly colored dashboard and seat-cover stitching. You can also order your Dune in white or black, but then you won’t get the matching interior trim.
The Dune also receives unique front and rear bodywork. An enlarged front air intake that’s fitted with blacked-out honeycomb mesh is flanked by smaller side vents containing the fog lights. In back, the area below the bumper now resembles an off-road skid plate. Arear spoiler as well as wheel-arch extensions that handle a slight gain in track width are a nod to Baja Bugs.
Also noticeable is a slight (0.4-inch) increase in ride height that provides additional clearance for the standard 18-inch wheel/tire combo (16-inch wheels are standard for regular Beetles). As a final touch, additional side-trim is meant to resemble the original Beetle’s running boards.
Overall, it’s a good-looking package and Volkswagen would actually do well to extend the Dune’s styling to the rest of the Beetle line. The bolder look could be the shot in the arm that it needs to combat its lagging popularity of late.
From the elevated stance you might get the impression that the Dune is an all-wheel-driver, but that too is an illusion. A turbocharged 1.8-liter fourcylinder that drives the front wheels makes 170 horsepower and 184 poundfeet of torque. That’s decent thrust for a compact hatchback, but it’s too bad that the Beetle’s optional turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet isn’t available for this application. Since the Baja Bug’s stock
Vee-Dub engines were usually tweaked for performance, you would think it appropriate for the Dune to receive similar treatment.
The sole transmission is a six-speed automatic, which is also surprising. Especially in this instance, one might have expected the availability of a more sporting six-speed manual. At least the powertrain’s reasonable 25 mpg rating in the city and 34 on the highway should placate some.
At a starting price of $24,800 for the coupe (no word yet on convertible pricing), the distinctive Dune arrives with a full load of standard stuff that includes sport-style bucket seats and a 6.3-inch touch-screen with built-in infotainment system (the unit also functions with the backup camera).
An upgraded lighting package is optional, as is a Technology Package with dual-zone climate control, premium Fender-brand audio system, push-button start and a power sunroof.
As rumors concerning the Beetle’s imminent retirement persist, the Dune could become one of those specialinterest models that ultimately becomes a sought-after collectible. Meanwhile, some might scoff at its audaciousness, but ultimately isn’t that what the retrostyled Beetle is all about?