The German automaker Volkswagen has a long history with the independent motor vehicle manufacturing firm Karmann, most notably the classic VW Karmann Ghia that was styled by the Carrozzeria Ghia and constructed by the coach builder Karmann. More recently the Volkswagen Group announced that they have acquired the land, machinery and equipment at the Osnabrück site that formerly belonged to the Karmann holding company. The best part about the acquisition is that VW is planning on setting up a new manufacturing subsidiary and eventually break ground on a new project.
Production at the Osnabrück facility isn’t scheduled to begin until 2011, however current projections detail the creation of over 1,000 jobs by the year 2014. There has been no mention of whether VW will keep the Karmann staff on for the new project, however it would be foolish to let all of those experienced automotive craftsmen go due to their extensive experience building limited edition vehicles. One of the models that will be built at the Osnabrück site is the Volkswagen BlueSport diesel roadster as well as a drop top Cabrio version of the next generation Golf VI. It’s always nice to see old friends getting back together.
In their latest Web-TV episode, Fifth Gear’s Vicky Henderson has a go in the coolest Volkswagen concept ever: the diesel burning Concept BlueSport that was revealed earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show and harks at a return of the lightweight Porsche 914 with its mid engine and open top configuration.
The Concept BlueSport is powered by a 177 HP 2.0 Liter Clean Diesel TDI power plant mounted behind the driver and fed by a high pressure common rail injection system. Volkswagen says that the fun to drive roadster will be able to go from 0 to 60 MPH in around 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 MPH.
As a bonus, the Fifth Gear squad also talks a little bit about the new Ferrari 458 Italia, the all new Jaguar XJ, the Porsche Panamera Turbo becomes the fastest four door around the Nurburgring and then head out to a proper Pagent of Power.
If there was ever a story of a sports car with an uncertain future, the Volkswagen Blue Sport Roadster is it. Ever since the creation of the concept
, there has been speculations as to whether Porsche will make another 914 or what would and Audi version look like. Even Volkswagen has put the eco friendly sports car on the back burner due to the unstable economic climate and deficiency of new car buyers.
Anyhow, until the German automaker makes up their minds, they will continue to tease us with a few more images of the Blue Sport. The alternatively fueled vehicle is powered by a 2.0 Liter Clean Diesel (TDI) engine with common rail injection making 177 HP mounted in the midship position. Volkswagen claims that the roadster will go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 MPH, all while returning a very hybrid-like 55 MPG.
Ever since the People’s builder unveiled the BlueSport Roadster as a concept back at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the German automaker has been teasing the car buying public with a “will they or won’t they” saga about the future production car. The next chapter in the story has just been written, previous speculations have claimed that the production version has been put on hold due to the current global economic situation, but now it is time to put the diesel powered roadster back on track.
According to AutoWeek, "the compact mid-engine roadster has an internal development code name," this means that it is very likely that the VW will become the modern day successor of Porsche’s 914. The concept is powered by a 2.0 Liter, common-rail, four cylinder engine puts out 168 HP, but the production version will receive the hot rod 265 HP, turbocharged, direct-injection power plant form the Scirocco R.
When the production car finally does hit the streets, Volkswagen will have wrapped up a lot of fun into $30,000 package. The BlueSport will weigh in at only 2,600 pounds and because of the light weight chassis will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in a rather quick 6.6 seconds and have a top speed of 140 MPH.
Bad news for Volkswagen Bluesport and future Porsche 914 fans, even though it should come at no surprise, it is still a let down. Ever since Porsche announced that there will be no new entry level offering in the line-up, Volkswagen has also announced that due to the current economic situation, their open air, diesel burning BlueSport model has been put on hold.
Volkswagen did not shut the door on the concept, saying that there is still a chance for a production model, but only after the world goes back to buying cars. So, for Volkswagen fans the good news is that the German automaker will eventually offer a roadster. The only question is when?
The VW BlueSport Concept is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0 Liter TDI with common rail injection engine making an adequate 177 HP. VW says that the clean diesel convertible can go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 140 MPH, all while returning 55 MPG. Now that sounds like fun, both behind the wheel and at the pump.
So if this is not news, why are we reporting it? Two reasons: the news is more official and is sounding a little more desperate. Both points were made from one quote the Automotive News obtained from a Volkswagen representative. “To make a strong business case for the new roadster, we need to share the investment with at least three brands.”
It seems that as much as VW wants its little roadster, economic conditions have the final decision. Last week we reported the production version of the BlueSport would appear by 2012, but it also doesn’t share all of its parts already with other VW family cars. Audi and Porsche are the only real ways to go. The roadster could never be exotic enough for Lamborghini or Bugatti and the €30,000 expected price (currently about $40,000) is too expensive for the Skoda and Seat lineups.
If a final decision is made we could expect it as soon as the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Surprise, Surprise! The Detroit Auto Show is still going on, and Volkswagen already has rumors swirling around about the production possibilities BlueSport concept. This shouldn’t be a shock to that many people because VW has spent the last year hinting about the mid-engined car that would also be used as a replacement for the Audi TT and possibly a Porsche.
So we know Volkswagen is planning a mid-engine platform for its line-up, the only real question now is when? According to Autocar, the debut year will be 2012. The biggest delay is that not all of the elements of the roadster are available yet. Volkswagen gets the most out of its parts (that’s why the upper class Audi TT is on the same platform as the budget Skoda Octavia,) and the planned elements of the BlueSport will not be in production until 2012.
The BlueSport roadster is powered by a mid-mounted 177 hp 2.0-liter Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection engine. VW says that it can make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 140 mph, all while getting 55 mpg. The engine is mated to a a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted closer to the front of the car, which gives it a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. By the time 2012 comes around, the BlueSport may have a new name and a few more engine choices from the VW parts bin.
The Concept BlueSport is powered by a mid-mounted 177 hp 2.0-liter Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection engine. VW says that it can make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 140 mph, all while getting 55 mpg. The engine is mated to a a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted closer to the front of the car, which gives it a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution.
The concept is has some fun stuff like bi-xenon LED headlights outside and a touch screen command center inside. This all comes in a package that weights only 2645 lbs.
While everything about this car seems attractive except for possible the oil-burner engine, remember this is just a concept. When the production car shows up we expect it to keep the good points such as the mid-engine layout, almost even weight distribution, and lightweight design. We also expect to see some gasoline engines from the VW parts bin available on the production roadster.
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