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Public reaction key to E-Bugster launch
18 January 2012
A positive reaction to VW's speedster-look E-Bugster will help make the case for putting it into production as the third variant of the new Beetle, Autocar has learned.
Officially, VW is remaining tight-lipped about the chance of putting the handsome design into production. But the car's designers believe it has a strong chance of making production.
"This is a serious proposal for a speedster Beetle and I am sure it will come for production", says designer Mark Lichter, "we just need to find the business case".
The E-Bugster's squat proportions come from a windscreen chopped-down by 65mm and the high point of the roof being pushed back to give a wedge-like profile to the roofline.
Inspiration for the design came from Lichter's own 964 Porsche 911 Speedster. 'A Beetle Speedster is the perfect car for the US,' says Lichter.
Also a nod to the world of the west coast tuner are the E-Bugster's multi-spoke alloy wheels, which ape Porsche's iconic 1960s design. They are made of conventional cast alloy and likely to feature on the new Beetle Convertible due for launch late this year. The originals were of unusual pressed alloy construction.
Julian Rendell
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