Japanese Tuner Turns VWs Into Bugs That Bite Back

  • Japanese tuner Ludix builds rugged off-road versions of Volkswagens.
  • Upgrades include lift kits, steel wheels, all-terrain tires, racks, and wraps.
  • Company plans to expand its services to Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi.

Japan has seen a wave of special editions and outdoor-focused conversions in recent years, but not all of them come from legacy automakers. One standout is Ludix, a local tuner that has made a name for itself crafting adventurous Baja-inspired builds from Volkswagens.

More: This Ruf-Style Beetle Proves Even VW’s Most Adorable Car Can Get Seriously Mean

The team describes its goal as creating vehicles “for work, play, and everything else,” focusing for now on the Volkswagen New Beetle, Beetle, and Golf. Eventually, Ludix plans to expand its efforts to include Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi models.

Baja Spirit, JDM Style

Starting with the New Beetle (1997–2011), Ludix transforms the retro hatchback into something ready for the trail. A substantial lift kit, fresh wheels wrapped in Toyo Tire Open Country rubber, and a matte wrap set the tone.

Custom touches include a bull bar, bolt-on fender extensions, a roof rack complete with a spare wheel and extra LEDs, and a rear rack for luggage or gear. Beneath it all, the car keeps its stock 2.0-liter TSI engine, unmodified but willing.

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Ludix

Ludix hasn’t stopped there. The tuner also offers a conversion for the last-generation Beetle (2011–2019), one that nods to the factory Dune trim. This version carries over many of the same cues, including steel wheels, all-terrain tires, fender flares, a roof rack, and a two-tone wrap, though the suspension lift is milder than the earlier model’s.

More: This Is One Twisted Creation You Have To See To Believe

Moving on to the Golf VII, Ludix applies a similar adventurous formula. The result looks far more rugged than Volkswagen’s own Golf Alltrack, which was sold only as a Variant estate, and closer in spirit to the ‘90s Golf Country.

The essentials remain the same: black steel wheels wrapped in grippy all-terrain tires and a lifted suspension. Ground clearance increases by about 70 mm (2 inches), leaving the Golf standing taller than a Tiguan.

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There’s more to the details, too. The bumpers get a special textured finish that mimics unpainted plastic, not as a cost-saving measure but to resist stone chips and scratches. Buyers can pair it with a custom wrap, decals, a roof rack, and auxiliary LEDs for a more adventure-ready look.

Surprisingly, the model is based on a Golf Comfortline BlueMotion with the 1.2-liter TSI engine and FWD. However, the same parts would most likely be compatible with any Golf VII, including those with the 2.0 TDI and the 4Motion AWD system.

How Much for the Upgrade?

Ludix sells its creations in several forms: complete vehicles, conversion packages, and individual components for existing owners.

The Golf VII GNC package costs between ¥550,000 and ¥900,000 (equivalent to $3,500–$5,700 at current exchange rates) on top of the donor car’s price. Upgrades for the New Beetle, on the other hand, can reach ¥1.7 million ($10,800).

A scroll through the company’s social media reveals even more experiments, including a lifted Polo Mk4 that looks ready to tackle a forest trail.

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Ludix

Japanese Tuner Turns VWs Into Bugs That Bite Back
VW Polo MK4 modified by Ludix

The Auto World

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