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| On the road New Beetle Biwak, between nostalgia and futurism Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Biwak concept car reinterprets the ineffable New Beetle in SUV mode...  Still relatively unknown by the general public in Europe, the firm EDAG (Engineering and Design AG) has nevertheless been a big hit in the United States this year, launching in Detroit the shapely Pontiac Solstice Hard Top, direct competitor of the Mazda MX5. Shortly afterwards, in Geneva, EDAG again attracted attention by unveiling its leisure vehicle concept car, the New Beetle Biwak. As its name suggests, this is a 21st-century version of the famous "Beetle" of our childhood, redesigned 4x4 style...  Thus, the suspension of the New Beetle has been raised and reinforced to satisfy the demand of adventurers. Side sills and front and rear bumpers give it a highly appealing adventurous look, all the more so since a spare wheel is directly attached to the boot door, Paris-Dakar style and the wheels, which match the rest of the body (vanilla colour) have been designed in steel (a first for a concept car). EDAG has even come up with a paint that simulates wear! This strange concept should therefore appeal to young disciples of grunge or, at any rate, a new generation of motorists for whom the car is too often synonymous with banality. And what if driving was also a pleasure? Indeed, the New Beetle Biwak is a fun car and thereby sets itself apart from many 4x4s, which have a tendency to all look alike. This new concept car also corrects one of the weaknesses of its legendary model, namely the smallness of its rear seats, by extending the roofline and keeping the same height as at the front; rear passengers will have to huddle up no more! The load area is also more voluminous and suited to long journeys. No launch date has yet been publicised, but its success in Geneva seems to have persuaded the firm to make its project a reality. Watch this space . Photographies © EDAG  | |||||||||
