Both coupe and roofless Beetle Dune models will make their motor show debuts later today in Los Angeles. However, we can already check them out thanks to a substantial photo gallery released by the manufacturer.
Starting on Thursday, November 19, both can be ordered in Germany, with prices beginning at €23,625 for the Beetle Dune Coupe and €27,800 for the Cabriolet. Although that’s kind of expensive, the price is the same as for a Beetle CLUB or “Exclusive” Design edition, so it’s not that bad.
In America, there’s only going to be one engine available, the 1.8-liter TSI turbo with 170bhp and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque. It is connected exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission and should provide a good balance of power and economy.
Unfortunately, the Beetle Dune doesn’t come with all-wheel-drive to back those rugged looks. That means a raggedy Dacia Duster could go places your funky-looking Dune can’t. But hey, scratching that sexy bodywork isn’t what most customers would want.
The Europeans get a much wider range of engines, starting with a 1.2 TSI making 105 horsepower, followed by the 150 PS version of the 1.4 TSI and the 220 PS 2.0-liter turbo from the Golf GTI. That’s the one we’d get. Diesel options for those brave enough to ignore the TDI scandal include 110 and 150 PS. We believe both are 2.0 TDI units, but we can’t tell you for sure yet.
Inspired by the famous Baja races, the Beetle Dune models feature eye-catching paint and protective body cladding. They also come with larger 18-inch alloy wheels that can be painted as an option. A total of nine different body colors are available for the Beetle Dune. New to the color range are “Sandstorm Yellow Metallic” and “Dark Bronze Metallic.” You’d be crazy not to pick one of those two since the interior has coordinated yellow piping and trim. All of the Beetle Dune Cabriolet versions come with a black soft top.
Editor’s note: We’ve been waiting for two years, and they give us just a body kit without the AWD? 10mm of extra ground clearance does not make this a buggy, Volkswagen. This car is a Dune… except it isn’t.
[“source-autoevolution”]