CALIFORNIA dreaming is back on the agenda with Volkswagen taking the wraps off an all-new Beetle Dune.

Designed as a coupe and a convertible it's been inspired by the legendary Baja buggies of the 1960s and comes with a pumped up body sitting on 18-inch wheels.

With a restyled nose, running boards at the side and prominent rear spoiler the Beetle Dune has plenty of presence and will feature a variety of bright paint finishes including a ‘Sandstorm' metallic yellow.

Convertibles come with a black fabric hood while inside the new Dune can be fitted with a 400 Watt Fender sound system.

The latest Beetle is being unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show and in Europe will be available with three turbo petrol engines and two diesels. Power outputs range from 105 to 220ps.

Ride height is half an inch more than a standard Beetle and options include a full voice control system as well as Bluetooth connectivity and sat nav.

Volkswagen says it has yet to be decided whether the Dune will be produced in right hand drive but prices in Europe will start from around £17,500 for the coupe and £20,500 for the cabrio.