2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune |
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1.8-liter DOHC I-4 turbo, intercooler (170 hp @ 4800 rpm, 184 lb-ft of torque @ 1500 rpm) automatic drive, front wheel six-speed 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) base Price [194500924815] $ Price As Tested :. $ 25,065 Prices include $ 995 destination charge |
when a concept car is introduced at a major auto show, it offers a glimpse of the future of the next model of an automobile manufacturer. Some concepts are really cool. Some are not. Most never make it into production. Some do. Baja Bug-inspired New Beetle Dune Concept was unveiled at the 00 Los Angeles Show It was a New Beetle off road ready VR5 powered by a 2.3-liter that sent power to all four wheels via a manual transmission six speeds.
More than a decade later, a similar, but -downed water Beetle Dune Concept was shown at the International North American Auto Show 2014. This car has been raised two inches, has an engine of 210 horsepower, a cool ski rack, but had to pull back. This concept car finally made it into production this year with relatively minor changes - but should have it
What makes the? Production Beetle Dune different?
The suspension is increased by a half inch and the track is a half-inch wider. The Dune supplements that with a special color yellow Sandstorm, stickers, larger fog lights, and a special grid. Black wheel-arch extensions are expected to add robust pace, and side rails are money back to steps on the original Beetle. In back, a whale-like tail fin is added, perhaps to improve stability and improve downforce, but the cool ski carrier unsurprisingly failed to production. White and Deep Black Pearl pure colors are also available.
The theme continues inside with more yellow trim Sandstorm and a badge. The fabric seat manual are favorable and allow easy access to the rear seat. The Dune comes standard with the new infotainment system MIB II. There are no navigation available in Dune, but there is an audio capable of playing tunes system via CD, auxiliary input, USB port and satellite radio. If that is not enough, Apple carplay, Android Auto and MirrorLink applications enable easy connectivity smartphone. The touch screen of 6.3 inches also works with backup camera and beeping parking sensors.
This jacked-up suspension and wider track do wonders for the eyes of a lot of cars and 4x4, as it gives them a rally or shipping purposeful stance, the two that have been applied to the 4Runner TRD Pro, for example. black trim and large fog lights revolved around a car manufacturer Subaru die SUV sales champion. In loving modern CUV days, many other examples exist to add the topping off road by turning a conventional vehicle in a huge commercial success.
Yet, somehow, it just does not work on the Beetle.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that this exercise is applied to a vehicle already trying too hard to be cool. Perhaps because most automakers at least try to follow suit this position with some all-wheel drive hardware. But not the Dune Beetle. There's even a button with a snowflake on which would allow a magic fashion belt driving snow. Nothing.
The Dune Beetle remains FWD and otherwise mechanically identical to the Beetle 1.8T. The engine turbo four-cylinder makes 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque sent to an automatic six-speed transmission. VW has decided not to offer the Beetle R-Line 2.0T engine or fantastic DSG transmission, both of which were present on the 2014 car concept. Similarly, while larger 235 / 45-18, tires are R-rated all-season. This further limits the dirt or snow route venturing any kind that any guy extreme sports-loving outdoorsy with a flat-brimmed hat can try.
In the street, the Dune actually grows well. The suspension does an excellent job of absorbing road irregularities, providing a smooth ride. Despite the lifting suspension, body roll is minimal, and the car feels very planted. The 1.8T engine makes good power at low rpm and pulls this Bug with ease. The automatic transmission shifts quickly and when in Sport mode could be confused with a DCT. Even if the steering rack feels a little slow with 3.1 turns lock to lock, the Dune is not a boring car to drive
But here's the second problem of Dune :. The base Beetle does all these things better driving. There are some years I have examined a Beetle TDI (R.I.P.) and it was really fun to drive. But Dune, because of its changes to suspension, larger wheels and an additional 80 pounds of trim, slightly lost on the basis of the quotient Beetle fun to drive.
To gather more opinions from the Dune Beetle, I attended a local Cars and Coffee where the Dune intrigued many; some looked closer, some took pictures, and two children invited to sit on. When I told them that there was a 395 hp engine Golf R400 and all-wheel drive, they were washed away. In a very unscientific survey on Facebook, the majority of my friends either hated or were neutral towards the Dune. About half of those who were neutral that they would like a lot more with more lift and AWD, which causes something like a two-door Subaru Crosstrek, or - you know -. The actual car Beetle Dune Concept
The Volkswagen Beetle Dune starts $ 23.995. The attention grabbing metallic paint Sandstorm Yellow is $ 250. With destination charge, this Dune Beetle came to $ 25,065, or about two large more than similar equipment Beetle 1.8T SE. The only realistic competitor to the Dune seems to be the slow-selling Mini Paceman, which is cheaper in its most basic form, but skyrockets from there.
The 00 concept car was quite an inspiration. It showed that VW could think outside the box, he tried to appeal to younger buyers, and he was ready to make changes. Sixteen years later, the Dune production has a problem. It's all show, it lacks creativity, it tries to highlight a failure, and young people know that
But there is some good news ... the Dune Beetle will soon be available as a convertible!
[Images: © 2016 Kamil Kaluski/The Truth About Cars]
Kamil Kaluski is the East Coast Editor for Hooniverse.com. His ramblings on Eastern European cars, $ 500 runners, and other various automotive things can be found there.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has provided the vehicle for the purposes of this review.
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