LA 2015: 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune Isn't Your Dad's Buggy

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

Volkswagen announced Tuesday, one day before the opening of the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, that it will sell two new special editions of the Beetle that harken back to previous specials offered up by the automaker.

The Beetle Dune is as close as you can get to a Murano CC without getting all-wheel drive or a Land Rover Evoque. The jacked-up Beetle will wear unique body cladding and Dune stickers that are in no way a nod to the Frank Herbert novels of yesteryear.

Powering Dune through a sci-fi universe during its morning commute will be the same 1.8-liter TSI available in other Beetles. There’s no mention of a diesel, obviously. Available as either a coupe or convertible, Dune will be shod with 18-inch Canyon aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 all-season rubber, further proving this is a special edition that’s all fashion and definitely isn’t the buggy your father converted into a sand rail. However, it does get a 0.4-inch lift and a 0.8-inch wider track, so there’s that, I guess.

The other special edition Volkswagen looks to bring to production is a redux of their Beetle Jeans model, this time called Beetle Denim, which will sport multiple surfaces covered in only the finest mom jeans and totally explains the high beltline.

It, too, will be powered by the same 1.8-liter TSI engine, though the Demin model will only be available as a convertible.

Dune Coupe and Demin Convertible will be available this spring, with the Dune Convertible following later in the year.












Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • NeilM NeilM on Nov 18, 2015

    A diesel version would have to be called the VW Beetle Doom.

  • Lon888 Lon888 on Nov 18, 2015

    This is wrong on soooo many levels. Jacking up a beetle to make it some sort of half-a$$ed CUV. You gotta be kidding me. Volkswagen haven't you had enough embarrassment this year?

    • Wheatridger Wheatridger on Nov 18, 2015

      Half an inch of list is hardly "jacked-up". Unless your're proud to drag the muffler of your own car. This isn't much more than a wheel-and-stripe custom job, hardly enough to get upset about.

  • Varezhka Maybe the volume was not big enough to really matter anyways, but losing a “passenger car” for a mostly “light truck” line-up should help Subaru with their CAFE numbers too.
  • Varezhka For this category my car of choice would be the CX-50. But between the two cars listed I’d select the RAV4 over CR-V. I’ve always preferred NA over small turbos and for hybrids THS’ longer history shows in its refinement.
  • AZFelix I would suggest a variation on the 'fcuk, marry, kill' game using 'track, buy, lease' with three similar automotive selections.
  • Formula m For the gas versions I like the Honda CRV. Haven’t driven the hybrids yet.
  • SCE to AUX All that lift makes for an easy rollover of your $70k truck.
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