Volkswagen’s Roadster is a ‘go’

UK website Auto Express, has revealed that sources in Germany have indicated that a production version of the beautiful ‘BlueSport’ roadster first seen in 2009, has been given the green light.

That’s great news for punters and enthusiasts alike, who will be keen to get behind the wheel of what will surely become a well sought after car.

In 2009 at the Detroit Motor Show, the mid-engine two-seater diesel sports car was a hit with the crowds and it seems that the designers have stayed true to the concept with a showroom ready design almost ready before work on the prototypes commence.

The current shape Volkswagen face is carried from the Scirocco and Golf range although; LED daytime running lights are a notable addition to the design.

We are also told that the concept interior design will make way for the more traditional fit outs that currently adorn the high performance Volkwagen cars such as the Golf R and Scirocco R.

Any excess fat has been jettisoned thanks to a super-light aluminium chassis and a canvas-folding roof, which is to be manually operated. The roadster should tip the scales at around 1200 kilograms, similar to Mazda’s MX-5.

Engines include the 132kW 2.0 litre diesel and the twin-charge 1.4 TSFI from the Polo GTI as well as the 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Golf GTI.

Diesel performance will mean close to 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint but efficiency will be right up there with 6.2-litres/100kms thanks to regenerative braking and the stop/start system.

Gearbox choice will be a six-speed manual or the optional Volkswagen DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox).

CO2 emissions should be below 120g/100kms and that could fall below 100g/km if Volkswagen follows rival cars from Honda and Toyota with a hybrid BlueSport version of its baby roadster.