VW has done everything but release a categorical statement to suggest the off-roading Beetle Dune concept will be the next special-edition Beetle to make production. A "possible future Beetle variant" is the current company line, and while the original Beetle Dune concept that debuted in 2000 failed to reach the showroom floor, the latest creation looks to be righting that wrong.

Wearing an Arizona gold paint job, 19-inch alloys, with a wider and taller stance than a stock Bug, VW says the concept "shows the potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle ever." The concept arrived at Detroit packing a ski rack integrated into the rear spoilers, while other cool touches include skid plates and a ventilated hood housing a 2.0-liter turbo-four that sends 210-hp to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch and electronic diff.