Volkswagen->ke94 unveiled its first Dune Concept back in 2000 and now the company decided to roll out another version of it based on the 2014 Beetle. This new version made its world debut today at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show->ke222 and comes with a very cool news: unlike the 2000 concept, this new Dune Concept actually has a chance to hit the production line, and we could see it as early as 2015.

When compared to the base Beetle->ke318, the Dune Concept features an increased ride height, a crossover-style look and oversized alloy wheels, which will all play important roles in making the Beetle sand dune ready.

The concept features a very cool combination or "Arizona" orange and black on both the exterior and the interior, comes with a wider body and wheels equipped to take any kind of roads out there.

Updated 01/13/2014: Volkswagen unveiled the new Beelte Concept at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show and we've updated the review with the official details, images and specs.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Volkswagen New Beetle Dune Concept.

2014 Volkswagen New Beetle Dune Concept

Specifications
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  • Model: 2014 Volkswagen New Beetle Dune Concept
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new Dune concept features an exterior design language specially prepared for the sand dunes out there. Up front the concept retains the usual Bi-Xenon round headlights seen in the standard Beetle, but it gets a new hood with prominent air vents and a completely redesigned front apron.

On the rear the skis are placed in the spoiler, while a very cool roof spoiler ensures improved aerodynamics while surfing the sands.

The concept presented in Detroit is painted in a very cool "Arizona" yellow-orange metallic paint combined with black insertions on the two-part wheelarch extensions, a roof spoiler and a rear bumper painted in high-gloss black.

The concept rides on 19-inch wheels in five spokes design and featuring black-painted inserts and polished aluminum rims.

Interior

The interior continues the same combination of "Arizona" orange with black elements. The concept was equipped with a high-resolution 7.7-inch touchscreen with ab AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic LED) display, plus a very cool "Volkswagen Sideways" application - a very cool program that integrates POIs into the navigation system, so you can get both the type and the numbers of the restaurants nearby.

The concept is equipped with sports seats with the outer surfaces upholstered in "Titan Black" leather and the center surfaces made of "Ceramique" colored "Gobi" breathable sport fabric.

Drivetrain

Under the hood of the new Dune concept Volkswagen placed a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 210 horsepower and combines with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine sends its power to the front wheels via an electronic XDS differential.

When can I drive one?

Of course there is pretty much no chance for you to drive the new Dune Concept, but rumors suggest it could be put into production sometime in 2015.

Competitors

Mini Paceman

If put into production, the New Beetle Dune Concept will be nothing more than a Beetle with a raised height ready to take any kind of roads, just like Mini Paceman.

Mini customers can choose between four different engines: two gasoline engines and a pair of diesel units, with power ranging from 112 horsepower to 184 horsepower.

Subaru WRX

If you want a real car, no mater the type of road, then the new Subaru WRX is the perfect choice. We're sure the price will be pretty much identical, so why not go for something really cool?

The WRX is powered by a new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that delivers a total of 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making it a little bit more powerful than the new Dune concept. Not to mention that when it comes about the look, the WRX has another advantage.

Conclusion

The new Volkswagen New Beetle Dune Concept is a nice addition to Volkswagen's lineup and will be cool to see something like that coming from the German company. What we really like on the new Dune concept is that cool orange paint that looks simple amazing.