By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(August 4, 2016) The 1984 movie Dune cost an estimated $40 million to make, and grossed $27 million in the U.S. It took more than six years to bring to the screen, and is a film both director David Lynch and actor Kyle MacLachlan (among many, many others) probably would like to forget.

This movie came to mind when VW delivered the Beetle Dune to my driveway. The Sandstorm Yellow Metallic paint is offset by a skid plate that is part of the revised front fascia, and a rear diffuser that serves the same purpose.

The running boards have polished aluminum and black trim, and the side mirrors are silver on top, black on the bottom. Inside, the Dune Gray and Black  seats have contrasting yellow piping. Somehow, this — and the raised (0.4-in. taller) ride height — are supposed to evoke memories of Baja Bugs from the 1960s and 1970s, but I found that about as tenuous as the idea that a spice would extend life, expand consciousness, fold space and be vital to space travel.

Yep, it made about as much sense to me as the movie.

Ever since VW replaced the New Beetle with the current model, I’ve been a bit of a fan. The Ken and Barbie cuteness of the New Beetle has been replaced by a less self-conscious style that is more masculine. And though it is built on a Frankenstein platform that draws heavily from the Jetta and a bit from older Golfs, it’s not bad to drive.

No, you won’t find yourself looking back with a smile as you walk away after an invigorating drive, but you also won’t be counting the days until the last payment its made, either.

If Baja Bugs were the inspiration, where is the all-wheel drive and high-output motor? AWOL, that’s where. You get the same front-drive layout and 170 hp/184 lb.-ft. 1.8-liter turbo found in every other standard Beetle. The equipment is the same as there rest of the Beetle family. And you can get it as a convertible as well as a coupe. Just try that with a real Baja Bug.

Yeah, I liked the car, but — except for the fact that the Dune trim makes it look a bit more masculine than usual — it’s a trim package. And that’s when I noticed the effect it had on passersby. Park this car in a restaurant parking lot, and watch as men and women stop and stare. Maybe it’s the radioactive paint color that does it, but people wander over to the Dune, walk around it, point at the features, and then look inside. It’s as if they’d never seen a current generation Beetle before.

One thing you will notice is that no one mouths the words “Baja Bug.” That’s probably due to the fact that not many folks are familiar with that particular vehicle. Which means the reason for the Dune frippery is lost on them. Much like the movie is irrelevant and strange to those who’ve never read the book.

Only I’m guessing the Beetle version cost less than the movie, and has had better sales.

The Virtual Driver