Volkswagen of America is celebrating its 60th birthday by presenting no less than four Beetle-based concepts at the New York Motor Show. Each concept pays homage to the iconic air-cooled Beetle that was built for decades while hinting at what upcoming limited-edition models could look like.
Called Denim, the first Beetle is inspired by the limited-edition Beetle Jeans that was built in the middle of the 1970s. It stands out from the standard Beetle Convertible on which it is based thanks to Stonewashed Blue Metallic paint job with contrasting gray trim all around and a dark blue soft top. Interior pictures were not published but Volkswagen promises the blue jeans-inspired look continues inside with blue sport seats fitted with denim-look map pockets, a brushed matte aluminum dash pad and blue armrests.
Surprisingly, overwhelming demand from buyers in China and in the United States convinced Volkswagen to design the Beetle Pink Color Edition. The Pink Color Edition is equal parts cute and sporty thanks to a Pink Metallic paint job and aggressive R-Line bumpers on both ends. Inside, Pink Metallic trim is also found on the door panels, the air vent surrounds, the steering wheel and even the floor mats. If that’s still not quite pink enough for you, rest assured, Volkswagen states that “an even higher proportion of pink” is conceivable depending on the feedback it receives from show-goers.
Painted in Habanero Orange Metallic, the Convertible Wave concept arrives just in time for summer. The bulk of the upgrades are found on the inside, where the show car boasts classic houndstooth seating inserts and a genuine wood dashpad designed to look like a surfboard. Volkswagen insists that the Convertible Wave concept can quickly make the transition from concept to production.
Finally, the 217-horsepower Beetle R-Line concept hints at what a sport-focused version of the hatchback could look like. It gains a deep front bumper with three large air ducts, flared fenders all around, side skirts, a sizable spoiler and a new rear bumper with an air diffuser and two round exhaust pipes. The passengers are treated to bucket seats and a sprinkling of carbon fiber-style trim.
Volkswagen has not announced when it will decide whether or not to build the four concepts. The car(s) that are given the green light for production could land in showrooms in the next year or so.
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