VW to "build a Lotus"?

Perhaps even with diesel motivation?

http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/volkswagen-to-build-a-lotus/

If its lives up to the crazy numbers theya re flinging around it would be really cool

The thing i cant get over is the outragous mileage claims being floated around about this car. Id be more than happy if they simply hit their target weight and got 35mpg

They pushed out the pictured concept "ConceptR" about 5 years ago, supposed to be a spiritural successor to the 914.

Instead it became the lame EOS.

I'd buy that if it were really as described.

No kidding, they're shooting for 0-60 in 7 seconds, 62 mpg, in a sub-Elise priced mid-engined roadster.

Ain't gonna happen.

it also runs on magic and sunshine!

And pixie dust. Gotta have the pixie dust.

ummmmmmm 914

With a hugely heavy VW lump in the rear.

Awesome, German complexity coupled with Lotus reliability.

VW and reliability in the same sentence? What fairly land do you live in?

the article mentioned financial viability for a Porsche 914 if VW were to build this, Yay Joint ventures.

It's great that a big car company is doing this. Hopefully a trend will develop towards more light weight sports cars.

doh, no hot links allowed

http://www.focaljet.com/zimages/vw_sportster1.jpg http://www.focaljet.com/zimages/vw_sportster2.jpg

From the Juse 2003 issue of CAR.

I like it.

Too bad they can't call it a Karmann Ghia.

carguy123 wrote: VW and reliability in the same sentence? What fairly land do you live in?

Hey, he's comparing it to Lotus. It's all relative.

Why doesn't VW just buy Lotus? They buy everyone else.

Karmann Ghia has to be one of the best names for a car ever.

I agree, but last I heard, Ford owned whatever was left of the Ghia name.

And I doubt Karmann will be involved at all.

According to this link if the car was built it would be assembled by karmann.

I stand corrected (said the man in the orthopedic shoes).

'Simple canvas roof' on a targa design? Hello, VW? See: early Viper. Didn't work then, won't work now. The Autocar pic shows a more conventional roadster, a canvas top would probably work with that. That same picture shows headlights that came straight from a Pacifica.

the viper worked perfectly, what are you talking about !

Why not have a simple Fiberglass/CF/Kevlar unit like the old Ferrari, Fiat X-1/9, Monte Carlo, 914, etc. Stow it in the trunk or behind the seats and you get the best of both worlds.