Volkswagen also said a special edition Beetle Denim would also be available. Paying homage to the 1970s Jeans Bug, the vehicle revives the rich heritage of the Beetle brand, offering fans a modern take on this classic model.
Beetle Dune
The Beetle Dune will have its world premiere at the LA Auto Show, which runs from Nov 20-29.
Overall, the Beetle Dune has a more aggressive appearance than the rest of the Beetle range, thanks to the fitment of new front and rear fascias and pronounced black wheelarch extensions that flow into the bumpers. Additionally, the Dune’s raised ride height of 0.4 inches and track that is 0.6 inches wider give it a more rugged stance.
Highlighting the front end’s sporty look, the new front bumper features a large central air intake that widens towards its bottom edge, and a black honeycomb screen has an aluminum-look surround that morphs into the front skid plate. On either side of the intake, two black honeycomb vents contain the foglights. A Lighting Package will be available, which will add Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and LED license plate lighting.
The side of the vehicle is characterized by the contrast between the polished aluminum sills and the black trim strips that are reminiscent of the original Beetle running boards. Distinctive 18-inch Canyon aluminum-alloy wheels are fitted with 235/45 all-season tyres. The side mirrors have contrasting black lower portions and Reflex Silver uppers, and “Dune” graphics are displayed on both doors. At the back, the Dune features a large rear spoiler, standard LED taillights, and a new bumper design that integrates matte black and aluminum elements, as at the front of the car. The rear diffuser also acts as a skid plate.
Inside, the 2016 Beetle Dune features sport seats with contrasting orange stitching and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel. Standard equipment includes the latest generation MIB II infotainment system, which serves as the foundation for Volkswagen’s available Car-Net suite of features. VW Car-Net connectivity includes App-Connect technology which allows integration with the three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink —allowing seamless integration for compatible smartphones.
The Dune is fitted with the Composition Color infotainment system that has a 6.3-inch screen with a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) that enables gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming. MIB II also features a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features.
At launch, the Beetle Dune will be equipped with a 1.8-litre direct-injection and turbocharged TSI four-cylinder engine, offering 170hp and 184 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Dune coupe will go on sale in the first quarter of 2016, while the Dune Convertible will arrive in showrooms in the third quarter of the year.
Beetle Denim
This special edition is a contemporary tribute to the 1970s Beetle Jeans model
As a special edition vehicle, exclusive design elements have been added to the 2,000 production units. The 2016 Beetle Denim is offered in two exterior color options—Pure White or Stonewashed Blue. The production run will be split equally between the two colors. The convertible top has been finished in Dark Blue with a brand new textured fabric that resembles denim.
Interior design features include a unique light-blue-and-silver dashpad and jeans-inspired seat pockets with small Beetle tabs in red. The light blue denim-color cloth seating surfaces also feature white piping and dark blue leatherette accents.
For model year 2016, the vehicle is equipped with Volkswagen’s new MIB II infotainment system, which offers higher resolution, faster processing speeds, and crisper graphics than ever before. A 5.0-inch resistive touchscreen display comes with a host of standard features including AUX-in, SD card slots, and a USB multimedia interface with iPhone and iPod device connectivity, reverse camera display, and Bluetooth technology for compatible devices.
Like the Beetle Dune, the Beetle Denim uses the same engine and transmission.
Golf GTE Sport Concept for LA Auto Show
This concept, combining race-car performance and hybrid fuel economy, will be making its North American debut.
The Golf GTE Sport is powered by a 395-hp plug-in hybrid system. The drivetrain combines two electric motors, World Rally Championship turbocharged engine, and innovative all-wheel-drive system. The car accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 4.3 seconds and has a top track speed of 280kph.
In the NEDC cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, the GTE Sport’s fuel economy is 2l/100km.
The design of the Golf GTE Sport illustrates how Golf GT models could develop in future. The car's striking silhouette features C-pillars with a unique two-level design. This C-pillar treatment is not only dynamic from a design standpoint—with the vehicle taking an hourglass shape from front to back—but also functional, as the airstream flows between the two levels and contributes to the aerodynamic downforce and cooling for the rear brakes.
The body of the Golf GTE Sport is largely made of lightweight carbon fibre, following the high-tech example set by other Volkswagen vehicles like the XL1 and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4.
