At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), starting today in Detroit, Volkswagen is giving a world premiere to the Beetle Dune. The near-production concept car thrills with its robust off-road looks, raised body and 19-inch tyres. Volkswagen’s appearance is rounded off with the US premieres of the all-electric e-Golf and the new 300-PS Golf R.
Volkswagen’s show highlight in Detroit is the Beetle Dune. The car at the show features ‘Arizona’, yellow/orange metallic paintwork and flared wheel arches offset in black. Unlike on the familiar Volkswagen Cross models, so-called ‘blades’ (elements 1.5 millimetres thick) are fitted on top of the matt main sections. Chrome-plated underbody protection and side trim strips on top of the sills, which are based on the legendary running boards of the original Beetle, underline the both classy and sporty overall impression. The interior – featuring infotainment system and high-definition 7.7-inch touchscreen – conveys in addition a high level of technological fascination. The Beetle Dune is powered by a 210 PS turbo petrol engine, which gives the concept car acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
In parallel with showcasing the Beetle Dune, Volkswagen is also showing the new e-Golf, making its US premiere. The all-electric e-Golf impresses with best-in-class qualities from the off, leading the way with low power consumption of 12.7 kWh/100 km. By virtue of innovative overall technology, enhanced aerodynamics (cW = 0.281) and optimised roll resistance, the e-Golf is 10 per cent more frugal than the best steel-built competitor. The practically silent e-Golf is also very inexpensive to run – with power costs of just €3.28 per 100 kilometres.
Volkswagen rounds off its best-seller segment at the upper end with the new Golf R: this top version of the Golf is powered by a redesigned 300 PS TSI engine (221 kW)1, which is 30 PS more powerful and yet up to 18 per cent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. The reconfigured sport suspension (lowered by 20 millimetres), the new progressive steering and ‘ESC Sport’, which can now be fully deactivated for racetrack driving, ensure in addition purist handling.
