Monday 12th January 2009

Detroit '09: Stop Feeling Blue

Volkswagen's green sportscar concept brings some much-needed optimism

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Volkswagen brought along a new toy to the Detroit Auto Show that might just be a beacon of light to sportscar lovers as the green future beckons.

The BlueSport is just a concept, but features some very real eco-friendly technologies that give it the sort of green credentials not normally associated with a low, sporty two-seat roadster. These include regenerative braking and an autmomatic start-stop system.

The car also uses an aluminium chassis and body to keep weight down. The roof is a folding hardtop jobbie, but it too is made of lightweight aluminium, and unusually it is manually operated - no heavy electric motors here.

Volkswagen claim that the resultant C02 emissions are no more than a Toyota Prius hybrid, without having to resort to lugging around an extra motor. The SportBlue is powered by a 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel, similar to the one found in the recent Jetta TDi. The clever lump is mated to a dual-clutch DSG 'box with flappy paddle.

Claimed performance times are thoroughly un-diesel-like, with 0-62mph coming up in 6.2 seconds, en-route to a top speed of 140 mph.

The car remains a concept, but we hope that VW do decide to bring something along these lines into production.

Watch the BlueSport doddering about in this video:

 

[Tazfan]

Neil Approved.

[roland82]

I like this car, if its priced right should do well. Way better than another MPV or 4x4.

[wab172uk]

I have to say, I really like that. OK, it's just a TT at the end of the day, but they should make it anyway with Petrol & diesel units.

Does look nice.

[IPAddis]

VW said:

Sportscar concept...

eco-friendly
powered by a 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel
dual-clutch DSG 'box
0-62mph coming up in 6.2 seconds

Sportscar? No.

Two-seat roadster? Yes.

[chunkymonkey71]

Honestly can't think of anything else to say other than...

its nice.

[Ollieb7]

Fan-fukkin! :-)

[scotty_917]

Looks production ready to me.....concept or not!

[bencollins]

Excellent.

[bobbylondonuk]

give it some good handling character and it could be the next MX5???

[The Milfman]

Looks pretty cool.

[Ricky944s2]

Very Nice VW, a change for 2009 eh?? I know its a concept but, up front fuel filler and rear air vents?? Does this hint at a mid-engined weasel or a mere oversight on the porsche boxters chassis & running gear?????

Edited by Ricky944s2 on Monday 12th January 14:57

[Milks]

it is supposed to be mid-engined, yes

though perhaps stretching the definition given where the rear axel is and the fact the hard top also has to fit back there somehow

[Milks]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswag...

[LooseCannon]

Very nice. If this is what it takes to avoid electric cars and public transport bring it on. Horrible exhaust note though.

[mc_blue]

Mini TT, think it would sell well to be honest with good fuel economy and low tax.

Agreed with the sentiments that this is a roadster as opposed to being a sports car, would be popular with women I think.

[kevin ritson]

LooseCannon said:

Very nice. If this is what it takes to avoid electric cars and public transport bring it on. Horrible exhaust note though.

TBH I'd sooner have a 'leccy roadster than a diseasel

[Terry Barr]

According to Autocar about 1200kg so need to loose at least 200 and prefrebly 300kg to become interesting.

Edited by Terry Barr on Monday 12th January 15:43

[Burnham]

I'm sure they will sell those by the bucket load.

Ladies and Hairdressers form an orderly queue!

[erics]

Nice torquey engine in a small sportscar. That will be a change from the highly strung japanese stuff found in N/A elises and co. Will be much nicer to drive on the road, Would love to see this modern little thing being made.

It will prob go 50 miles/gallon.

One has to live with its time and this surely is a realistic proposition, when tesla / electric / hydrodgen cars are still very much at the stage of prototype, they will be obsolete in the space of months when new batteries arrive (think you buy an ipod for £100k, and it is out of date in the same amount of time than the walkman)... painfull...

This will be mass produced, well built, surely a good car. I am a big fan.

[Andrew D]

scotty_917 said:

Looks production ready to me.....concept or not!

Same here. Obviously a lot of thought gone into the styling; looks instantly VW.

I like it, but they can keep the Derv; I'll take the 170PS 1.4 twincharger.