It’s designed to “compete with Lotus” but will it really? Discuss.

^ Competitive on what level? Handling-wise, im skeptical anything will come along that is like the Lotus, especially for a cheaper price. But sales wise it should be a great success..people will like its looks, economy, etc. But its real competition will come from soon-to-be discontinued S2000 or the MX-5 or Solstice [GXP]

I’m also trying to figure out WHY a Lotus? Lotus is a brand that makes pure sports machines without any gimmicks, I mean the cars don’t even have power windows (option), and even the radio is an option… all for lightness and more concentration on creating a well-balanced relatively low-cost sports car. a VW couldn’t make a car in league with the Lotus, but I do agree with Commodore, it is looking to be a great production car, a replacement to those who want an update on an S2000 or something better than the Solstice or cheaper but almost as good looking as the Audi TTS. I’ll be looking forward to this one.

could there be more of a chicks car than the Audi TT…..nevermind. Compete with the Lotus HAHA

There’s no way that thing makes production

That’s VERY, VERY Audi looking to me. It’s a great looking car, but does not look like it should be wearing a VW badge at all, it should have the 4 rings. I too will be surprised if this makes it to production. Looks like fantastic fun though…

yes I agree, its very Audi..but suspiciously looks production ready. its not that radical but its pretty. i like it

Sounds good in concept, but the devil is in such details as quality and price (areas in which VW usually stumbles), and looks.

Beautiful and very efficient, I loooooooovvvvvvvveeeee it

That is a F-n awsome car, its a F-n relevant idea, and Volkswagen is a great brand.

Oh, and I almost forgot…yea doppelkupplungsgetriebe!!! Kudos to Volkswagen for being the first mass automobile manufacturer to understand that the manual transmission belongs in the same obsolete scrap heap as bias ply tires, ignition points, drum brakes and carburetors.

So this cant be competiitive on any level with the Lotus but the new D3 cars can be competitive with the proven Japanese car with no solid proof?

^ I didn’t say it couldn’t compete on ANY level. I just meant that the Lotus is a lot more hardcore of a sports car than this seems to be and that basically the two cars are trying to accomplish two very different goals – one to shed all the weight it can and the other to look pretty and fill a gap in VW’s lineup.

That is nothing like the new Big 3 cars that are aimed at, but also directly compete with the Japanese on every level – price, MPG, interior room, performance, etc.

With VW being a mainstream brand and all, saying it is going for Lotus is like those silly commercials that equate Hyundai with BMW..it doesn’t make much sense, the cars are good in their own ways but not meant to be against each other

so im assuming with 260 torque and the “blue”sport badge its an oil burner?

I really like the way this looks. I think it would make a great car for when you are just going out to eat with someone and etc.

Hyundai with BMW..it doesn’t make much sense, the cars are good in their own ways but not meant to be against each other. With your logic the Genesis can compete with the 5 Series on every level – price, MPG, interior room, performance, etc.
If you say the unproven D3 cars can compete with the J2 cars

that jerk can turn any aritcle into something about toyota or honda. this is about a vw comp to a lotus fro crying out loud.

I like it, but I have to say it looks like a preview of an Audi R4, really. Plus the fact that it will never see production, and even if it does it’s going to be 40-50k, why even bother liking it.?

…Words connot explain what this car looks like to me. confused? maybe.

Ordinarily I’d love to indulge Madcapp on the merits of a standard versus automatic but since Volkswagen manuals are the equivalent of sticking your dick in a bucket of lukewarm water they’re probably making the right choice here.

See Johnnycanuck, its smart that you choose to keep your mouth shut before you stuck your foot down your throat down to the knee. Volkswagen doesn’t build their own manual transmissions, they just buy them from (for example) a high quality supplier like ZF, the very same way that BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or many other auto manufacturers do. There’s nothing wrong with the performance or operation of Volkswagens manual transmissions, its just that manuals are obsolete yestertech.

MurcieMe, nice photos on your flickr site by the way.

And, I’d love one of these VW’s, I’m as hetrosexual as it gets, but I think obe of these would be cool to own. I also have a TT, and again, I’m not a “chick” like itbullitt thinks of TT owners.

#$%@!.. “still think ONE of these…”

Going with dual-clutch right from the start is the smart play IMO.

Thank you Gundy! After next month’s Canadian Auto Show, I should have some more pictures up!

That’s looks pretty good. I hope the production model stays close to the concept.

i can’t wait for the forthcoming Porsche 914…i’ll be placing a deposit asap

aww how cute it’s like a go-kart. i’d do it.

Boxter rebadge, would look nice parked in the driveway with the [strikethru/]cayanne[strikethru] toureg

Porsche 914… that sounds interesting

Agreed with johnnycanuck about manual transmissions. While automatic is great most of the time, especially during the summer, like johnny, any Canuck who has to drive on ice and snow at least 4 months of the year is going to have a definative opinion about manual transmission.

Greater control.

nuff said.

Look! It’s an Audi TT!

Funny, I thought the Boxster was the new-think 914.. wouldn’t adding something beneath it in the Porsche lineup be completely opposite their current quest for exclusivity with $200K sedans? And having a near-twin at VW doesn’t seem to make much sense either.. particularly since this Bluesport already looks like an Audi-ized Boxster!

I think this looks fantastic, but I can’t see the Lotus connection. Surely the defining characteristic of the Elise is lightweight simplicity. How can a car with a chunky DSG gearbox and a folding roof mechanism be considered a competitor to that?

I love how everyone instantly tries to bash VW for stating this will be attacking Lotus.

First of all, 180hp and 260lb. ft of torque smash the numbers for a Lotus Elise.
Secondly, It also gets 35mpg which is almost 10 mpg more on the highway than what an Elise gets.
Third, how much do you think the VW roadster will cost in comparison to an almost $50,000 Elise?

This car is a great match to the Elise, the extra torque will make up for the added weight over the Elise, and the sticker price will likely undercut the Elise by $10,000 or more. We are also probably looking at the architecture for the new Audi R4, which will replace or stand along side the next-generation TT.

Looks pretty good. I can’t personally imagine Lotus buyers switching over though. But who knows.

From the front this car looks pretty good. Something about the back end just seems off, though.

That’s nice, hopefully it makes it into production.
It probably should if the rumors of the return of the Porsche 914 or Sub-R8 Audi prove to be true.

I can’t wait until this comes out as an Audi R4. I’m putting a deposit on one now…

FYI- I’m hearing rumours from very legitmate sources that the Audi R4 is being seriously considered as the successor to the TT.

Price it at $25k (like the MR2 Spyder), keep the manual (like the MR2 Spyder), and throw a Porsche badge on it (from the factory) and I’ll buy it.

ANOTHER OIL BURNER!!!!!

LOOK FOR IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SMOKING!

No manual? no care.

Also, to anyone who says the torque/hp makes up for any added weight, you clearly “don’t get it”. Go buy your Mustang and shut up.

Power to weight ratio means very little when designing a sports car, at least to anyone that matters.

Added lightness is key to making a car evoke adjectives/feelings such as nimble, balanced, engaging, etc.

I’ll just go back to staring out the window at my Mazdaspeed MX-5.. which is almost too much of a muscle car for my tastes, 15 less hp or at least tires a bit wider would have helped.

hey kansei, does your boyfriend love your miata as much as you do?

t-ak-box, my words exactly.

Just another $40,000 car to smoke in my Cobalt SS.

The mid-engine design is great, but 180hp isn’t gonna cut it. It’s light, but not light enough. With 12.1 lbs. per horsepower, this car is gonna be a slug. Double the HP to 360, then they’ll have something. Even 300hp would be great.

The TDI would be a nice option too. A mid-engined diesel roadster. Now THAT is different.

If you are not driving an F1 car, then you don’t need a manumatic. F1 drivers can’t let go of the steering wheel to shift, or they will instantly crash. Thus, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Any other vehicle does not need them. You should be able to order them if you want, but a manual better be an option. The last R32 suffered the fate of no manual option, they sat on lots forever, where the original sold out quickly.

I drive a manual to actually have control and become part of the experience. I don’t need to shave 0.2 seconds off my quarter mile time on the street.

this has a lot of torque for it’s weight. i think it has a twin-charged gas engine