Volkswagen Beetle Dune production confirmed

The German manufacturer has announced that it will produce a production version of its Beetle Dune concept that made its debut at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show. Reports suggest Volkswagen approved the Beetle Dune in the second quarter of this year and that means it should hit showrooms by about 2016.

The new Volkswagen Beetle Dune is two inches taller than the Coupe or Convertible variants that are currently available. It also comes with a set of 19-inch wheels, a rear-mounted ski rack and a fake skidplate at the front, all of which make it seem a lot more off-road-ready than its more urban cousins.

Production specifications for the car have not been confirmed yet. The show car, however, had a 210PS, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox routing power to the front wheels.

According to report, Volkswagen also plans to offer the Beetle Dune as a convertible version. The Volkswagen Beetle Dune is in essence an exercise in brand cosmetics for those more conscious about image than performance.