Obligatory Non-Bailout Post: VW Mid-Engine Roadster Concept Planned For 2013
June 9th, 2009 3:19 AM
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Auto Motor und Sport has driven VW’s “Blue Concept Sport” roadster (in concept form, limited to 100 km/h), and praise its agility, steering precision and weight distribution (48:52). Not to mention it’s near-production feel. Word is that the two-liter diesel (180 hp) convertible could go into production by 2013 at a €22k-25k price point. Building the better MR2 sounds like a good place to correct one of Toyota’s major errors: surrendering the fun.
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@ Kurt, Pretty sure the S2000 was RWD. Yep, definitely RWD.
Mike: I could be wrong about the FWD part. We have a couple of them around here but they are garage girls and don't come out to play except on cruise nights. I just remember reading about them in a C&D compro a couple of years ago (I think the Vette won but if you looked at the numbers, the 911 lost by .01 sec with all the driver aides turned off). Still, my point is, they are not very comparable cars. I don't know where you are but a used s2000 goes for more than the 25k euro price point of the VW here.
I rather like the idea of a diesel powered mid engined affordable roadster such as this. I drove a Jetta TDI last night and was sold on diesel power right off the bat. Hopefully VW can find a way to bring this to the US with a diesel option among the myriad regular gas engines.
Kurt, S2000 is 100% RWD, but front engine. MR2 is mid-engine. Mid-engine isn't necessarily better than front engine (think about collisions), and whether mid-engines actually handles substantially better is debatable. Here in my local dealers, S2000 is sold for $42K Canadian dollars after rebate, before tax. About the same of an entry level 3-series. Considering VW's usual pricing schemes, I would say they are comparable.