VW Concept BlueSport roadster needs Audi and SEAT to make it into production

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport at 2009 NAIAS

January 13, 2009 9:16 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Detroit Auto Show, German, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's Concept Bluesport, one of the stars of the Detroit auto show, is a Mazda MX-5 rival based on a new group platform.

At the moment there's about a 70 percent chance of the mid-engine rear wheel drive roadster making it into production, according to VW.

The decision will depend on whether SEAT and Audi can also develop their own versions to give VW Group the right economies of scale.

There is no fancy technology - the 1200 kilo (2645 lbs) roadster has a steel body and uses existing Group components with the front suspension, for example, from the new Golf. Everything about the car is production ready.

The engine for the Detroit show car is a 2.0 TDi with 180PS mated to a 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission; CO2 emissions are just 113g/km with 0-62mph acceleration in just 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 142mph. It has an automatic start-stop system.

A 1.4 TSI version is in the pipeline for the Geneva motor show in March and if reaction here in Detroit and again in Geneva is positive, then the chance of the car being built will increase considerably.

Source: headlineauto.co.uk

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Comments

catchmyshadow

January 13, 2009 9:40 PM

it would be the worst decision to NOT build it imho. great fun concept

daviepops

January 14, 2009 12:40 PM

I agree 100%

ivanadrive

January 13, 2009 9:44 PM

This would eat away Audi TT sales, maybe that's a good enough reason not to build it.

pscs

January 14, 2009 12:52 PM

not really, because this is really entry-level and it looks like a fun car. TT is imo more expensive compared to this car.

rcw

January 13, 2009 9:46 PM

Maybe they should move the TT over to this platform. The Golf platform is already marketed in so many ways. This would make the TT more performance oriented and make Audi a little more credible as a "sporting" brand.

Roger

January 13, 2009 10:59 PM

I think Audi is the most credible sporting brand, care to name any better?

The Golf isnt the platform of the TT, so why raise this point?

I can't see the VW group launching this, why would they?

fusion01

January 14, 2009 1:04 AM

I don't see what this has to do with a Golf. And as to the reference to the TT and its existence, this would certainly be more affordable I'm sure, so it certainly has a place. Very impressive figures here all-round: emissions, performance, looks fantastic.

Michael-Heinrich

January 14, 2009 3:30 AM

The previous and current TT do share the same platform as the Golf IV and V respectively, but may not be in the future.

rcw is right to make that point, since the transversely-mounted-engine & front-wheel-drive based power-train is the least competitive among SLK, Z4 and Boxster/Cayman in terms of weight distribution and driving dynamics.

Audi has made great effort to use aluminium at the front of the current TT, but switching to a new platform may be more helpful if the aforementioned economic issues could be resolved.

lucifa

January 14, 2009 1:38 PM

forgive me, roger, i think i may have misunderstood -- "I think Audi is the most credible sporting brand, care to name any better?" -- i think "the ultimate driving machine" might have something to say about that... and if you wanted to be a bit nitpicky and literal, ferrari, lamborghini, aston martin, maserati, bugatti, mclaren, porsche...

HolySteel

January 13, 2009 10:04 PM

Diesel powered roadster :D enjoy the great sound & smell... Why doesn't VW manage to build a proper N/A engine for a car like this? Like Tim Schrick once said: "since some Audi TT spun off on the Autobahn, VW cars aren't allowed to be fun any more". I bet you can't even turn ESP off on this one if it goes on sale.

Max_Speed

January 13, 2009 10:18 PM

i love it.pls VW build it

joelynn

January 13, 2009 11:59 PM

makes the most sense as a SEAT because they want to be sporty but have nothing. why not an economical cheap version to boost Skoda's image?

kevoluetion

January 14, 2009 12:01 AM

MX-5 rival?? This is so much hotter.

need4speed

January 14, 2009 12:54 AM

i like this a lot and if the price is right it will sell well and wouldn't that be swell.

fusion01

January 14, 2009 1:06 AM

From the rear this car looks like a psychotic Pacman figure: angry eyes and montrous mouth. Not a bad thing at all! I'm impressed VW have some dynamicism in the design. This is due to most as of late looking terribly bland.

Meeshka

January 14, 2009 1:08 AM

The acceleration is not too great, considering it's size (roadster). But' considering it's powered by VW/Audi's amazing 2.0T and not to mention it comes with a DSG I would surely pick it over a Miata or S2000.

Michael

January 14, 2009 6:50 AM

The 1.4 TSI petrol engine will most likely come with 180 PS as in the new Seat Ibiza Cupra and it will probably be mated to the 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.

bouncy

January 14, 2009 8:42 AM

@ meeshka - considering it's a TDI rather than a TSI, 6.6 secs is rather impressive, methinks.

it will be a huge pity if this thing doesn't make it to production. it impresses me (looks, performance, the entire package) unlike any recent VW product. and there's also little reason why it should not be able to co-exist with cousin TT.

pscs

January 14, 2009 12:53 PM

hmm, a side note: why the hyundai sonata (or whatever) -ish rear lights?

alessandro

January 15, 2009 4:05 PM

Nice and almost ready to go. Feels like VW is one who realizes what the car market is about.

Blackeyes21

January 22, 2009 1:39 PM

I'll be the first person to buy it

FAST

April 8, 2009 3:42 AM

i love my 2001 golf tdi, and my 2005 mazdaspeed miata, but i would trade in my miata in a heart beat for this great looking blue sport. what would it cost?

zoomlfe

November 17, 2009 4:29 PM

This car will definitely get built. VW will recuperate its investment in the car by making the platform available to its other brands. VW can make this car, Audi can make the R4, and Porsche can make an even lighter car below the Boxster. Each brand has fantastic cutting edge technology in different things that they will be cross-sharing. If this car drive's like a 2nd Gen MR2 updated to account for today's modern technology. Then this car will be a hit. Price it between a Miata and S2000 and keep it light. For two seat roadsters, "light makes right." This platform is lighter than anything else except the Miata.

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