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Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live
by Frank Filipponio on Jan 11th 2009 at 2:27PM 
Click above for a live gallery of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport
Volkswagen's Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term "diesel performance" a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, we can tell you that if it reaches production, everyone will be a believer. While officially just a concept for now (and the interior is a dead giveaway this isn't production-ready), the two-door roadster sports a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four mounted amidships. It puts out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 2,600 pounds via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect a 0-60 of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140, all while returning about 35 mpg on the European cycle and upwards of 62 mpg in "Eco" mode.
The BlueSport might look a lot like an Audi TT with a Scirocco nose, but unlike its corporate sibling, the mid-engine layout provides a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. It's also a tidy package at just over 13 feet in length, with a 96-inch wheelbase, a front track of 58.5 inches and a rear track of 60 inches. So it's about the same size as the TT, but in reverse. In person it seems much smaller than the Audi and reminds us of the Porsche Boxster more than anything, which isn't a bad thing. Stylist Walter da Silva explained his design inspiration in great detail for the assembled masses, unfortunately he did it in Italian, without subtitles, so we have no idea what he said. We did understand what Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn said, and that was that VW is officially committed to growth with cars that will continue to offer maximum excitement with minimum consumption, and the BlueSport is a perfect example of that philosophy. We say build it and bring it, ASAP. Hit the jump for all the details in the pres release.
Live photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
Detroit 2009: World Premiere of the Concept BlueSport
Volkswagen celebrates comeback of the compact roadster
Wolfsburg/ Detroit, 11 January 2009 - Maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption: This is the standard by which Volkswagen is starting the new car year 2009 and is presenting the roadster Concept BlueSport at the North American International Auto Show. "The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency," confirmed Volkswagen's Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.
The Concept BlueSport is making its appearance at the car show in Detroit with a Flex Silver exterior and orange fabric convertible top. "It is the symbiosis of outstanding technology and timeless Volkswagen design that makes this car an exceptional sports car. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure", explains Volkswagen chief designer Walter de Silva. The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. Immediately visible to the eye is the intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen. Perfectly adapted to the interior are the leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.
Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter delivers dynamic performance. A 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers power to the rear wheels. In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. Also having a positive impact on the car's low fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100 km and reduced emissions are two technologies that are part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Concept BlueSport to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 liter per 100 kilometers in city driving.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jrhmobile 2:31PM (1/11/2009)
Can I get one of these with the 1.4 twincharger or the 2.0 turbo-direct injection gas engine, please?
Reply
Kotse 3:05PM (1/11/2009)
It looks like the Audi R8's little kid cousin...sans the roof.
Build it, VWAG!
firstplace 3:33PM (1/11/2009)
agree the 2.0T would be great in this, give ti 10 more hp then the next GTI and there you have it.
PJ 4:15PM (1/11/2009)
Don't forget to put a real transmission in while you're at it! Just because an enthusiast wants more frugality with his sports car doesn't mean he wants to change gear via mouse clicks.
That said, carry on putting this into production. Immediately.
ropeburn 6:02PM (1/11/2009)
it's making enough torque that you'll be pretty happy with performance
you can always chip the car and probably pull another 30-60 tq and that'll really blow your hair back. I'm excited for this little drop top. Hope it makes it to the US.
homunculus 2:33PM (1/11/2009)
i hope the next beetle takes design cues from this car.
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Kotse 3:20PM (1/11/2009)
I hope VW builds this in Chattanooga...
happy_penguin 2:37PM (1/11/2009)
I like it. :)
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zamafir 2:58PM (1/11/2009)
Me Too. Put the 2.0T and 2.0TDI in it, magnetic ride, and price it at the entry price of the S2000 - this would fill that small, light, fun, attractive two door sports car niche nicely. Come to think of it, it's the perfect time for VW to release a car like this.
Randy915 3:29PM (1/11/2009)
@boxer >> see : sarcasm
JDMlover 2:37PM (1/11/2009)
BORING.
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happy_penguin 2:50PM (1/11/2009)
JUST LIKE YOUR COMMENTS.
Indy 2:53PM (1/11/2009)
Oh, I agree. It's boring unlike the Toyota MR-S.
zamafir 2:57PM (1/11/2009)
Lol, come on guys, you can't be taking him serious anymore, he's our resident all-things-horrible-Japanese-HS250h-apologist.
BoxerFanatic 3:10PM (1/11/2009)
@Indy,
ARE YOU BLIND?
This design is so much more integrated, smooth, and well finished than the MR-S, that it isn't even funny. The MR-S let the AW11 and SW20 MR-2 generations down almost entirely on looks and even a sliver of practicality at all.
It handled well, but that is about the extent of it.
Meeting that threshold and surpassing it by MILES on styling, if it has practicality, and at least the option for a gas engine that will rev a little bit, it could have the missing ingredients that MR2 Spyder gave up, and take over where Toyota gave up on MR2.
Fox 2:39PM (1/11/2009)
I like it also, very nice concept...Hopefully it makes it to the market...
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Kumail 2:44PM (1/11/2009)
is the place where you put the gas on the hood?!
other than that, awesome car.
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5000CS 2:45PM (1/11/2009)
It looks like it was an Audi concept that they changed to a VW at the last momment...
I like it though!
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garlinski 2:46PM (1/11/2009)
Stunning! Who said the Detroit Show would be boring? No hoopla, but still the cars keep coming!
VW... word of advise, bring this car to the good'ole USA!
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zamafir 2:52PM (1/11/2009)
Indeed, I'd buy it with either of VAG's 2.0L Federalized powerplants (2.0TDI and 2.0T). Light, Mid engined, Awesome modern looks, i'd put a deposit down - esp given how amazing the sirocco has been doing in the handling department... This thing will be a phenomenal drive for the price if they can keep it under $30,000 and include the magnetic ride which makes the Sirocco such a stand out.