AA 2011: Volkswagen Pays Tribute to Fender with New Beetle Concept

The high-performance Beetle R Concept was joined at VW's Frankfurt Motor Show stage by a second conceptual study that pays tribute to famed U.S.-based music instrument manufacturer, Fender.

Mimicking the styling used on an electric guitar customized by Volkswagen Design, the Fender Telecaster, the bespoke Beetle study is painted in a high-gloss "Black" finish with a fine red line framing the side windows.

Other special features on the outside include the chrome and aluminium accents on the door mirror caps, door handles, the trim strip beneath the side windows and side sills, while the twin tailpipes are arranged as they were on the original Beetle.

The concept Beetle rides on 19-inch wheels with polished aluminium caps, while track width extensions on the rear axle shift each of the wheels 10 mm outwards. Finally VW lowered the car's suspension by around 30mm.

Inside, the dashboard is trimmed in two-tone wood design pattern found on many Fender guitars, while certain controls on the center console were redesigned to look like those used on Fender's guitar and bass amplifiers.

Last but not least, the Beetle Concept features high-end audio system from Fender and a special socket in the boot area that allows for an electric guitar to be plugged in with its sound played over the subwoofer that is also integrated in the boot.

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