Volkswagen Beetle Dune revealed

Volkswagen has revealed the production version of the Beetle Dune prior to its public debut at the LA motor show 2015. Previewed in concept form at the 2014 Detroit motor show, the Beetle Dune features off-roader-inspired design touches.

The production model looks similar to the Beetle Dune concept but comes with a few changes. The front bumper is near identical though the air vents now house the indicators and fog lamps. The headlamps are like those on the concept car with the projector units flanked by daytime running lights along the outer edge. The wheel design is different, while the roof-mounted spoiler seen on the concept is given a miss. At the back, the car is near identical to the concept save for the differently detailed LED tail-lamps and a restyled rear bumper.

The interior is also similar to the concept's. The main dashboard panel, door shoulders, piping and stitching on the seats, stitching on the steering and various control surrounds are all finished in the same colour as the exterior. The steering though gets gloss black inserts rather than the concept’s exterior colour insert.

Powering the Beetle Dune will be a range of petrol and diesel engines –  the 103bhp 1.2-, 148bhp 1.4- and 217bhp 2.0-litre petrol units along with 109bhp 1.6- and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesels – from the standard Beetle. The Dune is expected to go into production sometime early 2016 and launch internationally in coupé and cabriolet body styles.

Volkswagen discontinued the previous generation Beetle in India a few years ago, but is all set to reintroduce the model in the country soon.