Volkswagen plans to showcase a sketch of a dune buggy concept at next week's Detroit Auto Show.
The new version of the Beetle, which so far has only been shown in a sketch, is the third car that VW has announced this week for the Detroit show, USA TODAY reported.
"The Dune concept shows the potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle ever," VW said in a statement. "The body was raised by two inches and the designers bolted a pair of skis to the roof to show the vehicle's go-anywhere intentions."
The concept has a 210-horsepower turbocharged engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
At this year's North American International Auto Show, the German carmaker also plans to exhibit the high-power Golf R, which is in production and should be available in the United States next year.
The third Detroit showcase for VW is the Passat BlueMotion concept, which is a regular Passat featuring "a small-displacement gasoline engine for diesel-like fuel economy," according to USA TODAY.
The dune runner concept recalls Beetle creations of the 1960s, which were often open cars. An iconic example is the "Meyers Manx," constructed by California builder Bruce Meyers for off-road racing. Built from 1964 to 1971, the Meyers Manx enjoyed popularity and was even used as a regular street vehicle by adventurous motorists.
"Its name, raised ground clearance, and all-terrain look hark back to the VW Bugs that conquered beaches and dunes in times past," VW described the new concept. "In the summer, simply swap the skis for a sandboard."
The sketch isn't the first time VW has featured a dune buggy concept. The carmaker showcased a New Beetle Dune concept car in 2000, but that idea "was not very realistic, especially with its interior and roof structure," according to the company.
While the automaker hasn't detailed plans about when the new dune buggy concept could go into production, VW has called the sporty possibility "a lot more feasible" in comparison with the 2000 concept.
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