"Cross" The Beetle

"The Beetle Dune" is a model based onThe Beetle, meticulously designed as gear for sports activities. It can be described as the "Cross Touran", "Cross Golf", and "CrossPolo", and "Cross up!" in the vein of the "Cross Touran," "Cross Golf," and "Cross up!" The name "Dune" originates from the sandboarding equipment mounted on the rear, symbolizing this concept.

The "Arizona" orange-colored body measures 4,290mm in length, 1,856mm in width, and 1,536mm in height. Compared to the standard Beetle, the fenders are widened by 24mm on each side, and along with the large 255/45R19 tires, they create a powerful, grounded stance.


The lower body, including the wheel arches, is clad in matte black resin material, and aluminum skid plates are fitted front, rear, and on the sides. This not only protects the body but also enhances its rugged, SUV-like appearance.

The engine hood, featuring a raised central section with distinct contours, is equipped with chrome-accented air vents on either side, enhancing the sporty exterior. Beneath this lies a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine producing a maximum output of 155kW (210ps). With a 6-speed DSG transmission driving the front wheels and an electronic differential lock "XDS," the specifications match those of the "The Beetle Turbo" sold in Japan.

Production Model Almost Confirmed

Similar to other "Cross" models from Volkswagen, the front lower grille features a honeycomb structure, indicating its membership in the Cross family. The circular elements on either side, with their upper sections open, house fog lamps with a matte finish beneath a cover. Just above them, three narrow slits, only 9mm high, conceal LED turn signals.


The rear incorporates a mechanism for mounting sandboards or skis, which gives the model its name. The section above the rear glass, resembling a diffuser, has retaining straps and serves as a stay. The lower part features a three-part spoiler, characteristic of the Beetle Turbo. By rotating the side sections, skis can be secured "inside" the spoiler.

The rugged sports gear aesthetic extends to the interior. The trim features the vivid "Arizona" color, mirroring the exterior. This color scheme is applied to fine details, such as the background of the meter scales, which are normally white. Additionally, the passenger-side dashboard, which is a storage compartment in the standard Beetle, has been replaced with a grab handle, inspired by the original Beetle.


The 7.7-inch touchscreen navigation system integrated into the center console features the "Volkswagen Sideways" app, which includes Points of Interest (POI) that can be searched based on the driver's interests. An example use case for POIs is prioritizing restaurants where friends are present when searching for "nearby restaurants." This also considers additional information like weather; for instance, it won't suggest an outdoor pool when searching for "places to swim" on a rainy day.


Volkswagen anticipates that The Beetle Dune will soon appear in cities worldwide, including Detroit, San Francisco, Boston, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Cape Town. This suggests that, regardless of the presence of the ski mounting device, the sale of a Beetle with a sporty, gear-like appearance is virtually confirmed for markets around the globe, including Japan.