NEW YORK -- Volkswagen is celebrating 60 years of the Beetle at the New York Auto Show this week and debuted four new concept cars to get into the birthday spirit.
In a throwback to other denim-themed VW Bugs of the past, the company has designed a car with a fully upholstered denim interior. From the convertible roof to stitched details on the steering wheel, the car maker goes all in by outfitting the Beetle with a jeans-like material. The color? Stonewash metallic blue, of course.
VW's first ever Jeans Bug made its debut back in the mid-1970s and was followed up over the years with six other models. But this is the first time VW showcased a convertible version of the denim concept. The car comes with a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter TSI engine, exterior mirror caps and 18-inch Disc aluminum-alloy wheels.
Rear seat pocket of VW Beetle Denim edition. #NYIAS15 pic.twitter.com/4LyzNZzonN— Tom Krisher (@tkrisher) April 1, 2015
Meanwhile, the Beetle Pink Color Edition is another statement concept on display at the show and it's hard to miss, thanks to its bright pink metallic paint coating. The company said the concept was born out of a growing demand for a pink Beetle, especially in the U.S. and China. While it is on display at the event this week as a coupe, it can also be built as a convertible, according to the company.
Pretty in pink? What do you think? We unveiled the #PinkBeetle at the #NYIAS & want to hear your thoughts! #VWNYIAS pic.twitter.com/2iZGmf4JTe— Volkswagen USA (@VW) April 1, 2015
To contrast the pink, the door mirror housings and the side body moldings are painted in gray and black, chrome and aluminum accents are sprinkled throughout the car. However, the model goes big on pink in certain spots, including the air vents, steering wheel and floormats.
Also on display is the orange-colored Beetle Convertible Wave, a four-seater inspired by U.S. coastal towns. The car blends modern tech and design with retro-looking seating inserts that feature a classic houndstooth pattern made popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The wood dashpad is stylized after a surfboard.
#VW continues the Beetle-story. #VWBeetle concept R-line. Sporty, dynamic, design oriented @NYAutoShow. #VWNYIAS pic.twitter.com/WLJN68pamO— Volkswagen Group (@vwgroup_en) April 1, 2015
The fourth concept car, the Beetle R-Line, is a bit sportier than traditional Bugs. With an Oryx White Pearl paint job and sport bucket seats, the vehicle comes with visual updates like a rear diffuser, black exterior mirror caps, a large-scale rear spoiler and 20-inch Monterey aluminum-alloy wheels.
While these concepts aren't for sale and may never hit the road, it's certainly fun to think about spotting a denim or hot pink Bug in your next lane.
BONUS: The coolest tech at the New York Auto Show
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