Sure it's a concept, but it's awesome. I don't know what the likelihood of VW building it is, but I hope they do. It looks awesome as is, even the interior. The rear bumper's a little meh, same with the exhaust, but it looks awesome from the side and front. Almost like a mini-R8.
Lightweight (less than 1200 kgs they say), economical, and it looks cool. I'd buy one.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3990/Volkswagen-Bluesport-Concept.html
less than 2700 lbs is considered lightweight now. Sigh
Didn't they have a similar concept last year? Hopefully this is the next step towards production. I thought I remember something about it being based on the R8 platform, but I might be remembering something else.
Anyone know how they are doing regenerative braking with a non-hybrid engine? I'd guess that they're using the starter as a generator and using that as supplemental braking, but I haven't seen anything written anywhere about it.
Bob
I found what I was thinking of: the Eco-Racer concept from 2005 and the Concept R from 2003. The Bluesport looks alot more like the Concept R than the Eco-Racer.
From what I understand Porsche, VW and Audi are all considering this car but it may never hit these shores. It is an obvious 914 throwback, which the world needs. It could be built to replace the TDI Cup cars as an econospec car, but it would also be brought out as the worlds first 50mpg production sports car with a TDi. Audi could use it as the R3 below the R8 and R5.
But it's so blah looking.
BAMF
New Reader
1/13/09 12:16 a.m.
I like it better aesthetically than the departed MR2 Spyder. I think I would enjoy the functional trunk space too.
I'd like to try driving this thing. It sounds like fun.