Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Volkswagen
Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport concept, turbodiesel done right
by Damon Lavrinc on Jan 11th 2009 at 2:44AM 
Click above for a gallery of the Volkswagen Bluesport
The term "diesel performance" is an oxymoron to the majority of the public, but if the Volkswagen Bluesport makes it to production, these two diametrically-opposed words could have new meaning.
Later today at the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen will take the wraps off the Bluesport concept, a two-door roadster packing a mid-mounted 2.0-liter turbodiesel four putting out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. With around 2,600 pounds to motivate the Bluesport, VW estimates a run from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds, a top speed of 140 and, just as importantly, 35 mpg on the European cycle. UPDATE: According to official numbers from VW, we're actually talking an amazing 57 mpg in Eco mode.
The power from the mid-mounted diesel will be sent to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted closer to the front of the car and resulting in a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. The overall length is just over 13 feet, with a wheelbase of 96 inches, a front track 58.5 inches and a rear track of 60 inches. Two storage areas – one frunk and another mounted behind the engine – result in 182 liters of cargo area.
It's a compelling package that we're looking forward to scooping out in person. Check back this afternoon for more.
[Sources: Auto Motor und Sport, MotorAuthority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 2:51AM (1/11/2009)
VW just out-TT'd the TT.
I can dig it.
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Kotse 10:51AM (1/11/2009)
Looks like the Audi R8's little kid cousin...
A modern, fuel miserly successor of the Karmann Ghia...I like it!
Build it, VW!!!
firstplace 1:23PM (1/11/2009)
I thought the exact same thing in regard to the TT. This is so cool, hope they build it but also have the option of there 2.0L turbo on pump gas. make it with 220 or more hp and they would have a little rocketship at 2600lbs.
firstplace 1:26PM (1/11/2009)
also interior looks a lot like a BMW Z4 (the new one)
carlbolt 10:00PM (1/11/2009)
TT is front engine front wheel drive. This car is mid-engine RWD. It has nothing to do with TT.
Torrent 10:41PM (1/11/2009)
I'm mainly talking about looks and features. not 'what-wheel-drive' their layout is.
dwightB 2:54AM (1/11/2009)
After screwing the public out of the GX3 AND the Concept R, they had better bring this damn thing to market, lol!
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zamafir 11:53AM (1/11/2009)
They should, this is the long rumored VW cheap Mid-Engine / R4 (if it comes to fruition) platform.
Giuseppe 2:56AM (1/11/2009)
A Scirocco convertible
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Mwmorph 2:57AM (1/11/2009)
Interesting, I'm assuming they put the tranny more forward to play with the weight distribution so it doesn't out 911 the 911.
(comparatively) Huge diesel torque + comparatively light weight + rear biased weight distribution would usually mean lots of oversteer.
I like it, now please, a real manual(even a 5sp is fine, I like the R in the 6th spot) for those of us that still remember how to as well as how fun it is to drive.
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BoxerFanatic 3:17AM (1/11/2009)
Does it come with a gas engine option?
Diesel is good. Good for torque, and good for fuel economy. Not good for quick revs, or high revs.
This car probably has a 4000-4500 RPM redline, and while having stump-pulling grunt, it probably won't have wind-up thrills or a ripping exhaust note.
Put a 6 cylinder gas engine in it, or even a turbo direct injected 4, with the DSG... not bad. Doesn't even need R32's AWD... If it has a trunk that can pack a weekend's worth of luggage and accoutrements, it will be a nice little car. VW might actually take MR2's legacy, if it is appropriately priced.
A coupe version of this mid-engine vehicle wouldn't be amiss, either.
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Jason 3:20AM (1/11/2009)
Want. I would like an actual grille, but this looks fine.
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KA 4:26AM (1/11/2009)
What do you need the grill for? :)
AMcA 2:47PM (1/11/2009)
REally.
VW's traditionally don't gave grills anyway. OK, but they were punched into the trunk lids.
idaaron 9:19PM (1/12/2009)
Plus, it's mid-engine. Having a smaller or lack of grill helps expose this fact to anyone on first sight.
I like it the way it is :)
why not the LS2LS7? 3:24AM (1/11/2009)
I doubt this car will make it to production with anything near 2600 lbs weight.
Also, I think this car would sell a lot better with a normally aspirated 2.0L engine in it making the same HP and after changing the gearing for the higher redline, the same torque at the wheels too. And it'll shed weight in the process.
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naggs 4:04AM (1/11/2009)
its true, the gas engine would weigh less and its lower peak torque would put less stress on the rest of the power-train, saving weight there as well
Red 4:17AM (1/11/2009)
I dunno. Decent efficiency, decent performance, mid-engined exotic appeal, and good looks are difficult to argue with. I agree a 2.0T would shed a bit of weight and offer higher revving, but I think "diesel performance" is something I could get used to. The aesthetics alone are more compelling than either the previous MR-Spyder or current MX-5 (I've always had a soft-spot for the MX-5's handling). If it handles even half as well, I could see this doing well, once the recession is over and people are back to buying their weekend cars. Seems to me, this is just VW trying to build an intelligent, value-priced exotic rather than all-out sports car.
BoxerFanatic 1:10PM (1/11/2009)
2600lbs is not that hard a goal to hit with a 2 seat sports car.
And WAH??? Redline doesn't change with gearing. Redline changes with engine design, intake efficiency, piston speeds, vibration dynamics and valvetrain characteristics.
Gearing has to do with what engine efficiency range it has. Gearing is a response to engine characteristics, it doesn't determine engine characteristics. Your post seems to indicate that you think that gearing defines engine redline, which is actually vice versa. Engine RPMs and thus efficiency rev-range determines the proper gearing to match those engine revs to wheel rotation at the ground.
pmiddle5 4:39AM (1/11/2009)
I would imagine the 1.4 twin charged to be the most fitting option. the 2.0t would be a bit under driven so larger then need be. Unless ofcourse they gave it the 265hp 2.0t in which case YIPPIE!!!!!!
VW doesnt have any good n/a engines.