VW solved the problem of dirty backup cameras with this simple trick

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI

For the past week, I've been testing out a VW Beetle "Dune," a special edition of the iconic reboot of the legendary "people's car."

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The car is loads of fun, has an amazing audio system, and is pretty cheap, at less than $25,000.

But it also has a nifty feature that no driver is ever going to see — although he or she might hear it, and it solves a problem that every driver with a backup camera has faced when the weather gets rough.

Check it out.

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It's an adorable little gold VW Beetle "Dune."

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI

You start it up and put it in reverse and ...

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI
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... the backing camera activates and you can see behind you on the infotainment screen.

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI

Here's the back of the car.

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI
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But where is the camera? Don't see one anywhere, just that famous VW badge ...

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI

... which flips open when the car is in reverse to reveal the hidden camera! Can you spot it?

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Matthew DeBord/BI
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There it is. Quite cool, but something the driver never sees, as the badge closes when the car isn't in reverse. You can hear it opening, however, from the driver's seat. And because the camera is almost always covered, it stays clean.

VW Camera
Matthew DeBord/BI
Transportation
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