New Beetle Variants Coming?

The Volkswagen New Beetle was first launched 10 years ago and word is a foot that the German's are working on a successor which could be launched sometime in 2011. Currently the model is available in just coupe and convertible body styles, but sources over at channel4 have reported we could yet see more variants added to the range with SUV and Speedster models being considered.

We first caught sight of an SUV variant back in 2000 when Volkswagen unveiled the Beetle Dune Concept which would be well placed to compete in the compact SUV market. The eight years old concept is unlikely to bear much resemblance to the possible new model, although it offers us a visual interpretation of what it may look like.

More recently at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show VW showcased the Beetle Ragster concept, the study got its name by combining "Ragtop" and "Speedster" which very much describes what this concept was all about, although should the speedster variant make it to production we would likely see a lower-slung, more cutaway body style.

The new generation VW New Beetle will be based on the soon to be replaced Mk5 Golf platform with styling to be heavily influenced by the Up! and Space Up! Concepts. When the model is launched, production is likely to stay at the plant in Puebla, Mexico, according to CEO Martin Winterkorn.