A sunny day in England. That means here: a good twenty degrees in the shade, overgrown by a blue sky with some white dots. One of the rare occasions on the island to drive a convertible with the roof open. Good thing that in the golden yellow - baptized in the VW color scale "Sandstorm Yellow" VW Beetle "Dune" is done automatically within ten seconds. It takes just as long to close, but we do not need to trust it today, the otherwise typical British drizzle pauses for this area in the long run. The fun-mobile, as the Beetle "Dune" in Wolfsburg also likes to call, differs apart from this eye-catching special paint (but it also gives it in more moderate colors) and the larger rear spoiler of the everyday version of the beetle grandson by one nuances wider track, a higher body, planked sides and an indicated underrun protection. An appearance that should give the impression of a certain robustness. Unfortunately, the British appreciate off-road adventurers in their country not at all, we also trust the slaughtered front-wheel drive a trip into the terrain or in the treacherous subsurfaces of sandy dunes rather not. To be embarrassed to stick on such a way or to peel the also cheeky golden yellow painted rims.
It really doesn't have to be out of the way here: there is enough fun as it is. The strip of asphalt winds up and down the coast like a roller coaster from Seaford to Brighton. Suddenly the dunes on the left end at the chalk cliffs that slope steeply to the sea. The taste of salt settles on the lips while a breeze gently tousles the hairstyle. Under the bonnet of the iconic Beetle successor with the word “DUNE” on the flanks, a 105 hp four-cylinder petrol engine rumbled very discreetly. He easily ironed away the vertical meters on the coastal roller coaster road. Unexcited, it bounces smoothly over the bumps and can be easily curled past the curbs that lurk on the side of the road facing away from the right-hand drive. The thick fabric collar of the folded roof has a protective effect like half a wind deflector and the seven-speed DSG makes cruising in unfamiliar British left-hand traffic a lot easier. In the back, cuddling is the order of the day, there is not much space left for the passengers. Luggage also plays a minor role in this car, 225 liters in the cargo space under the tailgate are really not much. For other reasons, the dune caused a stir in Brighton a little later.
The bustling seaside resort, also known as "London by the sea", is known for its eccentric residents and visitors. The fancy dashboard-style dashboard now reflects the house-sized graffiti in the North Lanes, the Brighton suburb that stands for no-frills shops, bizarre bars, and colorful street art. One of the winding and confusing little streets ends blindly. What an awkward situation for the 4,30 long four-seater, which does not offer a really good all-round view. Rear view camera and also for bystanders unmistakable Seitenpiepser do their best. But faster it goes with the briefings of passers-by. "What a cool car," they agree, as they have brought the shrill heartbreaker back on track. In the pub around the corner, the details are discussed: The Beetle Dune is built in Mexico, there are three gasoline (105, 150, 220 PS) and two diesel with 110 and 150 PS. Yes, Spotify, Napster and so on can be brought via Bluetooth or USB cable (Android Auto, Mirror Link or Apple Car) on board and in the UK, the Beetle Cabrio is also available in a kitschy pink. In Germany calls VW for the Dune coupe 23 625 Euro, the fresh air version costs just under 4000 Euro more.
Restaurant tip:
A quick hairstyle and off you go to the trendy restaurant 64 Degrees in one of the small streets in Brighton's district The Lanes. In the open kitchen, up to six cooks create delicious delicacies in tapas style, you can always ask questions about the preparation. For example, how to get the wafer-thin cabbage on the scallops with lemongrass so sensationally tender. The answer: dehydrated. Chef Michael Bremner likes to experiment, which can lead to taste explosions. Incidentally, the name of the restaurant comes from an egg that cooks 40 minutes at 64 degrees Fahrenheit and tastes irresistible!
http: /www.64degrees.co.uk
Hotel tip:
The facade of the "Pelirocco Hotel" in Brighton is rather plain. From the outside, there is little evidence of the unusual interior of “The real Rock'n Roll Hotel” with its unusually furnished rooms. In the double room “Soul Supreme” guitars and pictures of the Motown stars hang on the walls, a working record player is just waiting for one of the Soul LPs to be put on. If you like, you can book the “Dirty Weekend Room” with a 2,5 meter round bed, a mirrored ceiling, a 42 inch TV and a huge bathtub.
http: /www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk
Text: Solveig Grewe / Photos: Terry Oborne, Solveig Grewe