VOLKSWAGEN used last weekend’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit to unveil the possible future design of a new generation Beetle.

Although no decision has yet been made on whether it will go into production, the manufacturer says the car, called Ragster, boasts a fresh design and sports car attitude.

Its name is derived from a combination of Ragtop and Speedster and designers have shortened the A-pillar by about 90mm and penned a U-shaped roof fixing as a frame for the canvas top.

The front gets silver double stripes which extend from the spoiler and up to the windscreen. Its tail-lights are integrated into the bumpers and its gets chrome plated double exhaust pipes and 19-inch alloy wheels with red-striped low profile tyres.

Inside, the Ragster is a 2+2 seater, with leather sports car bucket seats and a dashboard-mounted rear-view mirror. A switch on the steering wheel open and closes the roof electronically.

Full coverage from the Detroit show on FNN next week.