Models
Gran Turismo’s Vision Gran Turismo series of concepts is slowly taking shape and another automaker has come out and released its creative work.
Joining in on the fun is Volkswagen with its Vision Gran Turismo Concept. And if we’re into picking among the best of what we’ve seen, it’s hard to go against what looks like a pretty sick roadster that actually bears resemblance to one of Volkswagen’s production models, specifically the Scirocco.
This is what the creative forces at Volkswagen thought of when they were asked to build a concept for the video game franchise. It’s not that the car looks good; it’s that it looks exceptionally good, one we hope Volkswagen decides to build as an actual production car in the future.
It retains most of the essential characteristics of the brand’s sports hatch and wraps it up in a sportier package, one that features a dramatically low windshield, a swooping front end, new headlights, and lest we forget, the sickest set of wheels we’ve seen among all the Vision Gran Turismo Concept cars that have come out.
Updated 05/23/2014: Volkswagen revealed the first details and specs on the Vision Gran Turismo Concept, just a few days before the car’s official debut on May 28th at the Worthersee Festival in Austria.
Updated 05/28/2014: Volkswagen unveiled a new video (above) revealing the new Vision Gran Turismo Concept in action and it surely looks fast! A new set of images were also dropped by the developers of the Gran Turismo game. Enjoy!
Updated 05/29/2014: Volkswagen unveiled the new Vision Gran Turismo Concept - or GTI Roadster - at the Worthersee Festival. Click past the jump to find out the new details.
Click past the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Vision Gran Turismo Concept
After Volkswagen unveiled the BlueSport Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the possibility of getting a production version has been up and down more than a roller coaster.
In fact, last year at the Paris Auto Show Volkswagen confirmed for the last time that the BlueSport will not happen.
Just today, a Volkswagen official – design chief Walter de Silva to be more exact – in an interview with German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport has stated that "this is a vehicle that we particularly like, and we always had in mind."
de Silva also said in the interview that he is not the only one in the company that thinks a small roadster wouldn’t be a bad decision for VW and that several employees are pushing to put it into production.
While we are not very sure this is an official confirmation of a production version, we are pretty sure a new round of speculations is about to begin.
Click past the jump to read more about the BlueSport Concept.
Well, we guess not only good things can come out of car shows, as we often find out our fair share of bad news. The latest out of Volkswagen is a killer though. A model that we have been speculating on and that has been turned on and off more than a public restroom hand dryer is finally confirmed as D.O.A., for now. Sadly enough, this highly anticipated model is the Bluesport roadster.
The last we heard of the Bluesport was when Ulrich Hackenberg, VW’s head of R&D, told EVO that the Bluesport project was alive and well, despite rumors of its demise. He even went as far as to place a roughly £30,000 price tag on it.
After an interview with Autocar at the Paris Motor Show, Hackenberg said that there is “no business case” and “we didn’t find a market for it” in reference to the Bluesport, tossing a bucket of ice on all of our hopes in the process. In the same breath, however, Hackenberg also made it clear that this isn’t the end of the Bluesport, but rather just a suspension until the market shakes loose.
The reasoning Hackenberg gives for suspending it is to avoid the death blow, which is an outright rejection of the project by upper management. He made it clear that if a market open up for the Bluesport in VW’s lineup it will be quick and easy to install it and get things rolling.
So for now we just have to accept the fact that Vee-Dub will continue on without its sporty roadster for the foreseeable future. As always, we’ll keep a close eye on this one, as Volkswagen is a tricky lot sometimes and could pull a complete 180.
Last week, we gave you a nice little rundown on what Porsche has in store for us in the coming years. One of those cars included Project 551, which we have all nicknamed the “Baby Boxster.” This compact, entry-level roadster looked to be a certainty in Porsche’s lineup, when suddenly the plan was axed, as Porsche’s CEO basically said it doesn’t fit the Porsche mold and they want to retain their customer exclusivity.
Well, now that the recent automotive giant, Volkswagen AG, has bought out the remaining shares of Porsche, err, “restructured” their corporate design, we may see this all change. You see, VW could give two cents about customer exclusivity. It wants to sell units and that’s that. VW will likely keep the 200,000-unit goal that Porsche had set before the “restructuring” and the way that VW may do this is to release a lower-priced roadster.
Think about it, fresh college graduates can’t typically afford a $50,000 base-level Boxster, but a $23,000 Miata is not an issue. Well, if Porsche slides a smaller, less feature-packed version of the Boxster right between the two, say at about $32,000, it could suck these young professionals into the Porsche brand early. With these premium brands, once they get in, they are typically customers for life.
In addition, the excuse that Porsche CEO, Matthias Mueller, made regarding a Baby Boxster not fitting the Porsche mold is complete hogwash. Porsche released an SUV and a sedan in the last decade, plus it is about to release a smaller version of its SUV, so how in the world could a smaller, more wallet-friendly roadster not fit in with a sports car company? Yeah, we don’t get it either.
Keep an eye out for some changes in the Porsche lineup over the next few months, there’s bound to be some and we bet one will be the announcement of an upcoming production model of the Project 551.
The new generation Beetle was launched last year in its coupe version, but Volkswagen is still trying to keep the cabrio version a secret until its official debut this Spring at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Tough luck, V-Dub, because our spy photographers have caught the drop top Beetle testing in some shivery winter conditions.
Volkswagen has done their best to make the convertible Beetle look like the old version, but they haven’t really succeeded at that. The model will borrow its design language from the coupe except it will feature an automated folding soft-top. Of course, that one selling point may be its most attractive feature, so expect higher sales for the convertible version.
The Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will be powered by the same engine line-up found in the coupe. There will be one diesel engine, as well as two petrol engines with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. The engines will be mated to either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG.
A few days ago, it was rumored that the Volkswagen Bluesport had been dropped because the company couldn’t find enough sales to justify investing in the model. But, according to British magazine Evo, this simply isn’t true because the Bluesport is still on track.
In a recent interview with EVO, Volkswagen’s engineering boss, Uli Hackenberg, stated that the Bluesport project is still very much alive: "dealers are always looking backwards, not forwards… this is particularly the case when a new model is being considered as they don’t have any reference point to guide them, so they look around at the current market and give an estimate based on that."
Uli elaborated by stating that a production version will arrive in the next three years and will carry a price tag of about £30,000 (about $47k at the current exchange rates). Maybe this means we’ll also see the baby Boxster in the near future?
Porsche’s decision for putting the baby Boxster on hold because the current generation may not be ready for it may just have started a domino effect for similar proposed vehicles. Volkswagen has just announced that the production version of the mid-engined Blue Sport Concept is also uncertain, stating the same reasons as Porsche: the company can’t find enough sales to justify investing in the model.
This may put a little hiccup in Volkswagen’s plans to increase sales to 800,000 units a year by 2018, but according to Volkswagen of America boss Jonathan Browning, "we don’t need to keep adding to our portfolio of models. We’re concentrating on our core models." Nice sidestep, but this only means that the company failed to find the market needed to sell 50,000 units a year of the production BlueSport.
They’re surely not getting rid of the vehicle, though, especially since engineering for the Blue Sport has been completed: "There is no official release for the project. It’s not a technology problem, but of finding enough customers. I don’t have enough [sales] volume to get the go-ahead," said Volkswagen’s engineering boss, Uli Hackenberg.
So, for now, the production Volkswagen BlueSport has been put on hold, further opening the door Porsche cracked when the Baby Boxster took its fall. We’re guessing Audi’s plans of offering a new sports car slotted under the R8 may get invited to this party, but Audi seemed pretty intent on producing the junior model. Only time will tell.
Volkswagen has released a full army of concept vehicles based on their new Up! platform at the Frankfurt Motor Show. One of the concept vehicles, the Up! Azzura Sailing Team, is a version of the Up! that takes nautical pleasures to a new level.
As an open-top concept with a lack of doors too, the Up! Azzura Sailing Team was penned by no less than Volkswagen chief, Walter de Silva, and Giorgetto Giugiaro with the idea of bringing to life and paying homage to nautical life. As such, the design elements featured in the concept carry some of those nautical characteristics, including an open-cabin with mahogany and maple wood trims, chrome components, and white-blue leather. On top of that, the car has also been dressed in a resin coating to make it waterproof, which would make sense considering the whole point of the concept.
As for the powertrain, the Up! Azzura Sailing Team runs on an electric motor, although nothing appears to be set in stone since the concept is unlikely to ever make it to production.
Ever since Volkswagen unveiled the BlueSport concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, we’ve heard plenty "to be or not to be" rumors about a possible production version. Now we can finally confirm, without any doubts, that the Volkswagen Group will offer three different versions of this concept. Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen will each have their own version of the concept with different levels of sportiness and performance, butSkoda and Seat will be left out of the mix.
Starting with Audi, their production version will be inspired by the E-tron Spyder concept and will be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot and 2.5-liter five-cylinder units, priced at around $45,000. The Porsche model will take its design cues from the iconic 1953 550 Spyder and will be offered with a twin-turbocharged engine with an output of about 380 HP. It is also believed that the Porsche model will be called the 550 as a tribute to the classic model. Prices will be in the $52K area. The Volkswagen model will, in fact, be the only version taking its design inspiration from the BlueSport concept. It will feature a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of about 170 HP. This will be the cheapest version with prices starting from around $30K.
The three models will stare the same platform, but their interiors will deliver different levels of luxury by featuring parts - such as instrument panels and dials - that are unique to each model. This type of differentiation was successful with the Q7, the Cayenne, and the Touareg SUVs so Volkswagen is sure to recreate that success with the three roadster models.
More details to come on Volkswagen’s three different production BlueSport Concepts, so stay tuned!
Don’t look now, but if this report is accurate, Volkswagen’s long-awaited roadster, the BlueSport Concept, is being prepped for a 2013 debut.
According to Autocar, the roadster is going to use the MMB (Modulare Mittel Baukasten) platform while using suspension parts from the Volkswagen Golf in an effort to curb production costs. Likewise, the production version of the BlueSport Concept will share the platform with a new Porsche “baby Boxster” and a similarly new Audi Roadster, which could possibly be the R4.
Details on what the car’s engine option is going to be is still up in the air, although there’s a chance that it could come with the new turbocharged 1.6 FSI engine that bumps up to 220 horsepower when used with a variable valve lift system from Audi. The car’s transmission has likewise been linked to either a standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG unit.
The production version of the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, giving all of us at least two more years to salivate – and save up - on a Volkswagen Roadster.
After what seems like forever of the to be or not to be confliction, Volkswagen has finally confirmed the production version of the BlueSport roadster unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Sales will begin in 2013 at a price of around $30k.
The future BlueSport will feature the same design language as the current Golf and Scirocco, translated into a sleek headlights, a narrow, horizontal grille and LED daytime running lamps. The interior will be similar to the one found on the Scirocco.
It will be a mid-engine sports car featuring a choice of: 178bhp 2.0-liter diesel, a turbo and supercharged 1.4 TFSI engine and a 2.0-liter turbo unit. The engines will be coupled to a standard six-speed manual gearbox or a dual-clutch DSG as an option. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is expected to be made in around 6 seconds. The 2013 Bluesport will come with an ultra-light aluminium chassis, plus a manually operated canvas folding roof.
There are also rumors about a hybrid version.
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.
Fiat was the first one to launch a special edition 500 to celebrate Barbie’s 50th Birthday. Today is time for Beetle to go pink. The car was transformed by customization artists ABD Racing Werks, Katzkin Leather and Interiors and FoamMolders.
From top to bottom and interior to exterior, Barbie® doll’s New Beetle convertible has left no detail unfinished. From the white custom leather interior and convertible top to the hand stitched floor mats and pink quilted leather lined door pockets and arm rests, even the dipstick is painted to resemble her favorite lipstick.
The New Beetle convertible is equipped with a motorized vanity in the trunk and plenty of rhinestone accents and vanity mirrors. Over five shades of paint were mixed together to create the perfect pink color for Barbie doll’s car.
Press release after the jump.
We did know that Volkswagen was going to unveil its new roadster in Detroit, but we didn’t know it would show up as a diesel.
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.
Press release after the jump.
As previously reported, Volkswagen was preparing a concept roadster for a debut at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. But it seems like many of the other large auto companies out there, the project has been delayed. Now the roadster has traded in the fair weather LA for fun-in-the-sun Detroit in January.
Volkswagen likes to get the most out of its platforms (that’s why the upper class Audi TT is on the same platform as the budget Skoda Octavia.) So it seems that the VW Group wants to possibly make a little more cash back on the Audi R8/Lamborghini Gallardo platform by sharing bits with the new middle class roadster. The design should take cues from the Scirocco, and will likely be It will be offered in both coupe and roadster/targa versions.
Its rumored that Audi will get its own version of this concept to replace the current TT. There also a small rumor that VW’s new owner Porsche may get in bed with this car as well. But that is less likely if Porsche goes through with plans to give the similarly-sized Boxster a four cylinder engine.
Engine choices will likely come from the VW Group’s stable of four-cylinders making between 105 hp to 220 hp depending on the car brand and trim level.
In July we reported that Volkswagen will unveil an affordable mid-engined sports car. A preview will be shown in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show and if the public reaction is positive, the new car could be in showrooms by 2011.
The new car has been designed by Walter de’ Silva, Volkswagen’s lead designer responsible for cars such as Audi’s TT and A5. The new car is described as a cut-rate Lotus Elise, designed to be stylish and lightweight while offering genuine sporty performance in combination with class-leading fuel economy. Volkswagen will offer a wide range of engines, including a 170-hp, 1.4-liter Twincharger TSI gasoline engine and a new 125-hp, 1.6-liter TDI common-rail diesel engine.
The new coupe and roadster are based on a mid-engine layout with rear-wheel drive. To keep weight down and performance strong, Volkswagen is said to have tapped Audi for expertise in aluminum-spaceframe construction.
Volkswagen has announced plans for an affordable, mid-engined coupe and roadster. The new model is a part of Volkswagen’s ambitious target of selling over five million cars a year by 2018.
A concept version of the two-seater will be revealed in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, while the production version could be in showrooms as early as 2011.
It will be powered by a wide range of mid-mounted four-cylinder petrol engines, with Volkswagen’s 168bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a new 125bhp 1.6-litre TDI common-rail diesel both being considered for use.
Anticipate a production version weighing in at under 1000kg, and being capable of combining Golf GTI levels of performance – 0-62mph in just under 7 seconds – with economy to rival a diesel Polo – about 63mpg combined.
The new model is a cut-priced alternative to the Lotus Elise.
Volkswagen will bring the Scirocco Coupe version next year at the Geneva Motor Show. But the company is not happy only with one version: they want to have more to say and make more competitors fear. As a result a roadster version is also in the works and will go on sale sometime in 2009, as a competitor for models like Audi TT Roadster or Porsche Boxster.