Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 21st 2008 at 3:02PM 
Click either image for a high-res gallery.
Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.
In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.
According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg. If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.
Gallery: Volkswagen Concept R
Gallery: Volkswagen EcoRacer
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mike 3:07PM (7/21/2008)
WOW, Build it NOW.
Keep the price under 25Gs and it will FLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
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Zane 3:35PM (7/21/2008)
25Gs? LOL! Good luck with that! I'd say closer to 35G sounds more like it.
mj 3:39PM (7/21/2008)
This isn't going anywhere. Without the up! rear engine rear wheel drive platform (they announced a standard fwd layout for the up! today), what are they going to base this on? Porsche Cayman? And if they had the money for an all-new mid-e rwd platform, they should give it to the Audi TT, which is embarassingly based on the Rabbit.
Don't get excited, this is just a pipe dream for the hippies in LA.
rsfourever 4:04PM (7/21/2008)
"they should give it to the Audi TT, which is embarassingly based on the Rabbit."
the first generation Audi TT (8N) was based on the Golf. However, the 2nd generation TT, the one currently being sold (8J), is not at all based on the Golf, and is in fact a completely independent platform. Most every reveiw of the 8J TT explains that, after the 1st generation which was all about looks and not about performance, this one hits the jackpot with good looks, handling and performance. It is no longer fair to call it a tarted up Golf...
Chase 5:00PM (7/21/2008)
I hope they save enough room for a 2.0T .:R variety (perhaps that'll be the R4). A 300hp, 2300 lb car would be obnoxiously fast -- like hypercar fast -- like faster than a Z06 or 911 GT3 RS. Not to mention it'd get 30 mpg combined. I'd gleefully pay $70k for that kind of performance.
Val 6:46PM (7/21/2008)
$70k! Talk about your average Artega GT (with a VR6 engine, btw) Although it may be a few pounds heavier.
Chase 11:23PM (7/21/2008)
The Artega GT would definitely fit that bill if it was sold in the US -- its only 100 lbs heavier than the imaginary one I described, and that's just fine. Unfortunately, with the euro conversion (without VAT) its about $90k, then tack in shipping and constructing the car under in the US (to comply with kit car registration), and you're looking at $110 grand and a whole lot of hassle.
It'd be awesome if select VW or Audi dealers were the distribution network of Artega in the US. That'd kick serious ass.
rouse42 3:07PM (7/21/2008)
yes please.
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3seriesisking 4:13PM (7/21/2008)
I agree, very nice
FSM 3:12PM (7/21/2008)
55mpg? If VW could make this they would be hard pressed to keep them in stock. Who would want a Smart Car, a Mini, or a Prius when you could have a fuel efficient little roadster. I will bet my life savings that this doesn't come to the US because of safety restrictions or just because VW has their head up their a**es and simply don't want to give the US another great little car like they have so many times before.
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Jackattak 3:26PM (7/21/2008)
"Who would want a Smart Car, a Mini, or a Prius when you could have a fuel efficient little roadster?"
Anyone in need of a backseat or any type of cargo carrying abilities whatsoever.
BlackCanary 3:39PM (7/21/2008)
"Anyone in need of a backseat or any type of cargo carrying abilities whatsoever."
Ok I agree vs the Prius or Mini but this would crush the SmartCar in every way except parking skill.
FSM 3:41PM (7/21/2008)
@Jackattack
Yes I agree about cargo space, but with gas being so expensive, I'm seeing lots more motorcycles and scooters taking people to work. This would definitely be a step up from a two wheeled vehicle, and it would be at least as good as a smart car (2 seater). This car would be great for an everyday commuter. How much hauling of cargo do any of us do on the way to or from work?
BlackCanary 3:57PM (7/21/2008)
FSM - It would have to be cheap to fit the slot you are visualizing for it. People buy scooters for the MPG and because they are REALLY cheap. This would have to cost in the low teens to 20k to be a viable commuter car unless it is meant to REPLACE a car not add to it. Scooters are additions to the transportation family not usually purchased as exlusive transportation.
rav3 3:16PM (7/21/2008)
A VW that doesn't look like a generic econohatch?!?! I'll believe it when I see it...
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David(Postal) 3:18PM (7/21/2008)
55 MPG, 2200 pounds?? I want it!
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Benoit Cerrina 3:24PM (7/21/2008)
sounds very interesting but more of an MX5 fighter than an Elise one
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shadysi 3:27PM (7/21/2008)
exactly what I was thinking.. vw miata
cheezwiz 3:48PM (7/21/2008)
This is no more an elise fighter than the mr2 spyder was. Toyota couldn't sell that. Why should VW have more luck?
Benoit Cerrina 8:50PM (7/21/2008)
Because VW may be able to do the same as Mazda.
The MRS was a competitor to the miata they failed because the miata was better in too many ways.