Next VW Beetle to spawn retro-styled sub-lineup?

A report coming out of Germany finds the next Volkswagen Beetle will spawn a small sub-lineup of retro-styled cars. Volkswagen will be able to grow the Beetle lineup while keeping cost in check because the third front-engined Beetle will ride on the automaker’s modular MQB platform.

One of the proposed models is a tall crossover that will be to the Beetle what the Audi TT offroad concept is to the third-gen TT. Similar in spirit to the Beetle Dune concept that bowed in Detroit, the crossover will feature a noticeable amount of Beetle-sourced design cues but it will look considerably more rugged than a stock Beetle hatchback and feature four doors. A raised ground clearance will help the Beetle crossover get over rough terrain with ease.

Volkswagen insiders told German magazine Auto Bild that the Beetle family will also include a small, family-friendly people-mover whose design will be inspired by the Bulli concept that paid homage to the original Volkswagen Bus. The yet-unnamed van will be taller and slightly longer than a Beetle, and it will feature a spacious interior with room for up to five passengers.

Finally, Volkswagen will launch a sporty version of the Beetle similar to the slow-selling MINI Coupe. Interestingly billed as a heir to the Karmann-Ghia, the car will pack up to 300 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will spin all four wheels.

The next Beetle is not expected to launch until 2019 at the very earliest, giving Volkswagen execsplenty of time to decide whether or not the Beetle should turn into a full-fledged lineup.