Classic style for road-ready Beetle Dune

A VERY special Volkswagen Beetle has hit the coastal roads of northern Germany, and it might just arrive in showrooms soon, too.

The new Beetle Dune concept captures a little of the spirit of the classic version, with 50mm of extra ride height, big, bold wheels and a rear-mounted ski rack.

It looks stunning on the move, where its broad-spoked 19-inch wheels look almost like solid discs of polished metal and the ski rack has the visual effect of an old-school Porsche 911-esque spoiler.

VW is keen to stress that everything about the car is feasible, from the interior paint job to the drivetrain, which, incidentally, features a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine good for 207bhp. It's hooked up to a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels.

Front-wheel drive means the Beetle Dune would be useless on sand, but its makers happily point out that instead of skis the rear rack could also hold a sand board for personal dune surfing. How thoughtful.

The concept first appeared at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year. Its reappearance heavily suggests that Volkswagen wants to build it and is attempting to drum up public demand.

By Press Association reporter