2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster Concept

Ragtop + Speedster = Ragster

According to Volkswagen, Ragtop + Speedster = Ragster. This simple mathematical formula is what Wolfsburg's designers used to come

The Ragster concept melds VW's unique peoples' car design with the unmistakable American hotrod culture of the '50s and '60s. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

up with the New Beetle Ragster concept which made its debut at this year's North American International Auto Show.

With a new generation of Golf, Jetta and GTI models arriving shortly, the Ragster concept brings new light to the design of the New Beetle, which has gone virtually untouched since the third generation of the Concept One showed up at the Tokyo auto show in 1995 - the original bright yellow Concept One was introduced in Detroit in 1994.

Like the Chrysler PT Cruiser and upcoming Chevrolet HHR, the New Beetle is a nostalgic link to the past. The original Beetle's era, one of the longest running production vehicles ever sold, may now have passed, but its

The Ragster is as much a concept car as it is a design and feasibility study. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

image lives on in today's modern variant. The Ragster concept extends the connection by melding the unique peoples' car design with the unmistakable American hotrod culture of the '50s and '60s.

The Ragster is as much a concept car as it is a design and feasibility study - there is great potential that a vehicle similar to this could be built. Because of this fact, Volkswagen chose the New Beetle Cabriolet as a base instead of the coupe. The opened-topped model was ideal for the transformation, as the body's structure, underbody and doorframes were already reinforced for extra rigidity.