Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept heading for Detroit

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept (pictured) heading for Detroit The original VW Beetle was a perfect candidate for a Dune Buggy, and many old VWs were converted to blast across sand dunes around the world. VW had a bash at their own Dune Buggy back in 2000, but now, ahead of a reveal at the Detroit Auto Show next week, we have what looks like a buggy from VW that could actually be heading for production – the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept. VW has revealed a single image of their Beetle Dune Concept (above) that shows a jacked-up Beetle with big wheels and tyres, a ski rack on the back and a bit of cosmetic titivation.

Ssangyong relaunches brand with Giugiaro-designed Korando

Korean brand Ssangyong is back from the dead. After looking odds-on favorite to become another automotive casualty of the global recession after Chinese owner SAIC put it into receivership in early 2009, the 4x4 specialist has found a new owner in 2010 – signing a memorandum of understanding with Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra in August – and has just re-launched its brand with a new car designed by Giugiaro. The fourth-generation Korando mid-sized crossover – prefaced by the C200 concept shown at the April 2009 Seoul motorshow – is due on sale in January 2011 pending the expected completion of the Mahindra deal in November this year.

Microsoft increases stake in auto industry

Having reshaped a big piece of the world's economy around its Windows software, Microsoft Corp. now wants to do the same thing in the car business. What the Seattle giant sees there says as much about the future of cars as it does about itself.