REPORT: Volkswagen BlueSport ready for production, estimated cost: $30k. Will it happen?
Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery
After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's headed for production. This is contrary to earlier reports coming from an unnamed VW insider which indicated that the program had been placed on hold due to the dire state of the global economy.
We hope AW's right about the BlueSport's production possibilities, especially after reading about how close to production-ready the roadster appears to be. If the German automaker does find a way to build the BlueSport, it will reportedly show up in in the States in 2013 starting for somewhere around $30,000, depending on the powerplant that VW decides to place behind the two occupants.
The turbocharged, direct-injected diesel mill currently in the concept, which VW says delivers nearly 42 miles per gallon in everyday driving, could very well be joined by at least one of VW's gasoline-burning units – possibly the 265-horsepower 2.0-liter installed in the Audi S3 and Volkswagen's own Scirocco R and Golf R. As always, we'll keep our eyes and ears open for more details as they become available.
[Source: Auto Week]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jinsei888 2:32PM (6/05/2009)
we can dream, can't we?
Reply
Robert O 2:53PM (6/05/2009)
One can hope this car becomes a reality.
Auari 3:05PM (6/05/2009)
and we can also hope it doesn't
geo.stewart 3:39PM (6/05/2009)
EOS replacement?
Rev 5:28PM (6/05/2009)
When does anyone dream of a Saturn Sky for chicks?
I'll take the Saturn. Heck, it may even become a collector's item one day!
Tinu 6:52PM (6/05/2009)
I can't believe this. This is a copy of Plymouth Pronto Spyder concept.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/photos/pronto-spyder-plymouth.jpg
Who 'Dis? Who 'Dat? 2:35PM (6/05/2009)
I kind of like this!
Reply
akboss302 2:40PM (6/05/2009)
Why do I even bother reading Autoblog? "Its official - BlueSport cancelled!"...week later "its official, Bluesport headed for production"...next week "BlueSport officially cancelled, again"...
Honestly guys, I know news moves fast these days, but is there any credibility to the articles we can read here? Excuse my ignorance if I'm missing the point of blogs, but when something comes out in a print mag, its usually pretty much on the money.
Reply
Chase 3:20PM (6/05/2009)
Autoblog used to have a "FROM THE RUMOR MILL:" bit that they used to tag on. I think every one of these articles should have a big "NOT CONFIRMED" disclaimer before the content.
BoxerFanatic 2:41PM (6/05/2009)
I thought this was all confirmed to be axed?
If they bring this to the US with the 2.0 TFSI R-spec turbo direct injected gas engine... color me interested.
Diesels and sports cars are serving two different masters, so to speak, so I wouldn't consider the diesel to be congruent with a mid-engined handling machine.
They need to adjust the paint pattern on the front end, though. The lower intake is far too wide, and needs to be split into three segments, two taller, and one wider in the center... the dividers that are there need to be painted body color, and brought out.
If it has more storage space than the unfortunately non-practical MR2 Spyder, it may well give Miata a good run for the money. (impractical small trunk is one thing... a glove box as the only storage is another thing entirely.)
It certainly looks FAR better than the bar-of-soap Miata, along with the superior mid-engined weight distribution and balance. I say this as a Miata owner, after having test driven the MR2 Spyder.
The only thing better would be an R4 Audi coupe version of this car, a Junior R8, replacing the TT outright, for ~35k with DSG.
Reply
BoxerFanatic 2:44PM (6/05/2009)
BTW, the marker lights are kind of cool...
I wonder if the amber turn signals are the scallop under the high beam headlight, similarly. That would be slick.
zamafir 2:56PM (6/05/2009)
can't agree with you more. VW needs to offer it with three engines, all 2.0L in displacement:
200hp 2.0T (for 25k or so)
2.0TDI (for close to 30 for eco freaks)
and the 265hp 2.0T from the Scirocco R
but the rub is final drivetrain. VW doesn't sell ANY rwd cars in their entire portfolio. It'd be very difficult for me to see them working thier modular platform to fit RWD into the mix for a niche car they're already saying might not make enough even to substantiate building. We'll see. I'm a VW guy and i'd hate to see this mid engined fwd. mid engined awd? for 30k? only if its packing the S3/TT-S powerplant.
I'd wager that's what vw's struggling with now. Not the cost but where to place it in terms of market.
Chase 3:35PM (6/05/2009)
This current design actually works into the big VAG picture in at least a couple ways. The boxster and cayman currently use a longitudinal platform, but if they switched to transverse (like this car), they could share aaaalll sorts of parts with VAG. On the flip side, VW/Audi can have a specially-developed sports car that is compatible with all of their existing transverse motors/tech. In this case, I think Porsche would largely develop its own motors.
BoxerFanatic 4:29PM (6/05/2009)
This is mid-engined transverse-RWD
The drivetrain is not much different at all than front engine transverse-FWD. The cooling lines are longer for the front mounted radiator, but otherwise the whole drivetrain is just transplanted AFT of the seats.
The MR2 was the same way, basically bits of Corolla and Celica, put into a chassis that houses the engine between the rear wheels, instead of between the front wheels.
Actually, making it mid-engine FWD would be difficult, and pointless. Mid-engined AWD is also not the easiest thing in the world, and is kind of amazing that R8 and Veyron do it with a longitudinal-mid layout. Porsche's rear-engine longitudinal AWD is easier, and is basically a system that is oriented like a reverse of Audi's longitudinal Quattro, or Subaru's symetrical AWD, but the driveshafts don't have to cross under the engine.
The third drive shaft would have to reverse it's axial direction, and go through, around, or under the engine, back up to the front of the car, with a mid-engined layout. Not really ideal for wide-across-the-chassis transverse drivetrains. Porsche, and BMW do AWD with driveshafts/differential jack-shafts through the engine's oil-pan. But that adds a lot of cost and tight tolerances.
The real drawback to Transverse, vs Longitudinal, is the unequal driveshaft length, due to the transaxle being side-by-side offset to the engine, on the flywheel side. That usually makes that side driveshaft short (limiting suspension travel and angle) and the off-side driveshaft long, or jointed, or both. With them not being nearly identical, there tends to be a torque differential effect between the two sides. In FWD, with a steering system, it adds to torque steer.
Hopefully on a mid-transverse sports car, a torque-biasing differential would be installed to help traction, and stabilize torque application. But it still isn't as truly ideal as Boxster/Cayman's low boxer engine, and longitudinal drivetrain. But also at hopefully 2/3rds of the price... it will still likely be a nice, good handling car.
2ZZ MR2 3:11AM (6/06/2009)
Hey... we have a frunk too, the Spyder can hold a backpack and 3 small-med. duffel bags, and our storage grows with the removal of the passenger seat...
I really hope they make this, it's the only new car in a feasible price range that I would consider as a replacement for the spyder.
kozmik69 2:45PM (6/05/2009)
Replace the "VW"on the hood with a Honda "H" and I don't think anyone would question that this was the next generation S2000. I don't really see any VW styling. But maybe that is just me.
Reply
mk3 3:46PM (6/05/2009)
I hope it does come true. But at least i hope they take some design cues from this for the next Eos.
P.V. 5:16PM (6/05/2009)
I think this is what the new S2000 or Beat should have been anyway.
Also, for all those who rail against the veracity of the article, MotorTrend drove one.
sulebon 2:49PM (6/05/2009)
I wish...but the situation reminds me of the Dodge Demon from a few years back.
Back then everyone was touting about how it was all but production ready, cheap, fast, and blah blah blah.
The 2-door roadster segment isn't exactly huge either, but I guess will open up a bit since the Sky and Solstice won't be in production anymore.
Reply
jamesFF 2:58PM (6/05/2009)
Looks a little like the Saturn Sky.
Reply