2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune Deserves At Least a Little Respect: First Drive
Having an iconic car in your lineup is no easy task. And if you don’t think the Volkswagen Beetle
is an automotive icon, think again. It’s been around since 1934, and
though it may have a—ehem—questionable history, there’s no denying that
enthusiasts love the bug probably more than some family members.
But
the idea of an iconic car, and keeping up with the enthusiast demand,
is something that Volkswgen doesn’t take lightly. Even with that serious
attitude, though, the Beetle seems to be something of a dying breed. So
when Volkswagen announced the Beetle Dune, enthusiasts perked up their
ears and were curious as to what Volkswagen had to show.
Baja’s Back, Baby!
From
a design perspective, it’s very likable. Admittedly much hasn’t changed
from the standard formula. Some key distinguishers include graphics,
edgier wheels, a revised fascia, and an even more quirky interior. The
style, while not as extreme, heralds back to the iconic baja bugs that
enthusiasts still drool over to this day.
For
baja bug owners, it may seem like a bit of a stretch to give this
beetle a similar name, and similar style, but going too extreme may have
ostracized the buyers looking for the history, but not so much the
extreme personality. The interior gets a shouty yellow trim, with black
and grey cloth seats. It’s a cool place to be, and matches the exterior
well with a few fun accents and unique trimming.
Straightforward and Simple
We
won’t be shouting on the hilltops singing praise of Volkswagen’s
electronics. The updated 6.3-inch touchscreen system works well enough
when you figure everything out. It’s clean, has Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto, and puts to use a number of easy-to-find features on the
home screen.
True To Its Roots?
Driving
the Beetle Dune feels like, well, just driving an ordinary Beetle. The
ancient 1.8-liter turbocharged engine is peppy enough with 170
horsepower on tap, but doesn’t hold speed very well. At 65 mph, you
still have to keep your foot pressed heartily into the gas pedal,
otherwise it feels like it wants to just give up.
Steering
is tight, and even in some tough mountainous stuff it refuses to show
everyone that it’s actually a front-wheel-drive car. Which brings us to
our next point…
Yes, the Beetle Dune is still front-wheel-drive. Before we get a hoard
of angry emails: we fully understand that not even most classic Baja
Bugs were converted to all-wheel-drive. Even then, it seems like
something buyers really would have enjoyed, given the naming and all.
Even more disparaging, it doesn’t come with a manual gearbox.
Nonetheless, it’s a Beetle, and it drives like a Beetle. That’s not a
bad thing.
The Verdict
It’s
not the most exciting car on the planet, nor the best driving. But
there’s something to like about the Beetle Dune. Aside from its thrifty,
middle-of-the-range pricing ($23,995), it’s a sign that Volkswagen
still actually cares about the enthusiast.
With
the rest of the VW range leaning more towards vanilla, the Beetle Dune
adds a swirl of fun that not even the most hardcore gearhead can resist.
It’s quirky, it looks cool, and it’s a pretty good deal. We wouldn’t
turn it away if it had nowhere to go.
Specs
Engine: 1.8-liter Turbo
Horsepower: 170
Torque: 184 lb-ft
Price: $23,995
Horsepower: 170
Torque: 184 lb-ft
Price: $23,995
Positives
Fun styling
Affordable
Comfortable on long trips
Affordable
Comfortable on long trips
Negatives
Lack of all-wheel-drive
Plain driving dynamics
Plain driving dynamics
No comments:
Post a Comment