Volkswagen’s long-rumored mid-engine roadster was expect to make its world debut at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, but a VW spokesman has revealed that the sports car won’t make an appearance until January’s Detroit Auto Show.
VW says the delay is due to a higher amount of interest – and there for publicity – at the Detroit show, but it also probably has something to do with the economy’s dive bomb.
But the delay isn’t the roadster’s biggest news. According to Automotive News, the new VW model will ride on an upgraded version of the Audi’s R8 architecture. This goes against previous speculation that the VW roadster would be an entry-level model. No word on what engine will power the two-seater, but a four-cylinder is still on the table.
Unlike VW’s previous sports car concepts, the Detroit-bound show car is expected to make the transition to production, with an on sale date set for sometime in 2011.
11/10, 1:44 PM
posted by:
A4
please stay under $30k large… its pointless otherwise
11/10, 1:53 PM
posted by:
golf4me
I agree A4, but if they are indeed using the R8 chassis (and upgrading it) there is no way on earth that it’ll be reasonably priced. I don’t understand VW’s obsession with going upscale, if anything their low-end products are the best that they do, in my opinion, especially when you consider their competitiveness within a segment.
11/10, 2:30 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Going upscale? As always, VW is pushing the outer envelope of PT Barnum’s famous nostrum.
11/10, 3:06 PM
posted by:
Fromes
what does VW feel the need to go upscale? Doesnt VW own Bugatti, Bentley, Lambo and Audi? building something on an upgraded chassis that is already a downgraded version of the Gallardo doesnt make much since, how many six figure sports cars can own company produce? is there room for another mega priced super car but not a sub 30k midengine sports car?
11/10, 3:36 PM
posted by:
Borat
I reckon it is German thing: every corporal has to be uber general. Of course VW owns a bunch of premier brands, but what does it mean to a manager at VW unit? He has to clime the ladder, even so competition is within the same company. Look at Phaeton, you would think they learn something. I reckon if 2 WW did not teach them nothing, little thing like Phaeton will not do it.
11/10, 3:40 PM
posted by:
ckron247
They need to keep it a cheaper roadster that should compete with the Miata, honda s2000, saturn skye etc… by going high end they are going to end up shooting themselves in the foot. Really look what happened last time VW went high end (phaeton). I love VW as a company, I like almost all of their cars in all of their lines. But, they need to understand that people don’t look to VW for luxury.
11/10, 4:24 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
VW is in quite a conundrum in the US.. they keep planning upscale Scirocco and roadster models for a market that doesn’t want them, then they destroy the potentially upscale image of the CC 4-door coupe model with a starting price LOWER than the Passat (which is now a fully-loaded one-price model starting nearly $10K over the Accord.. another mistake). Why can’t they just offer good low-priced models for the “volks” and let Audi do the Mercedes and BMW baiting?
11/10, 4:25 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
I know of a man that has a VW Phaeton, he paid over $90,000.00 it had every option in the book! It is sherry, and now he can’t get more then $23K for it… and Kelly Blue Book is $46K plus…
“V to the W” …..man……
11/10, 6:27 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Where’s that Phaeton at yarddog? I’ll give that dude $24K for it all day long.
11/10, 8:10 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
-Picture a Valet taking your car keys with a moon smile in his face…
-WTF “VW” !?!?
-[No more smile...]
11/10, 9:33 PM
posted by:
Get Real
One word for this nut idea of VW going upmarket: Phaeton
11/10, 11:28 PM
posted by:
olds307
Still a VW, still junk.
11/11, 3:07 AM
posted by:
VWgrouP
WHAT? Production you say? I don’t think this car deserves to even be thought about as a production car. Come on Volkswagen! You’ve had this car built and ready and in your hands for at least two years. Its been in your Concept car page on your .ca website for at least a year, and your only bringing it out now?
ckron247: I agree with you, that people don’t usually see Volkswagen as a luxury brand, and a head on Miata competitor would be great!
zoom zoom: I agree with you as well. Volkswagen owns friggin Bugatti! They should keep Volkswagen an average day to day car, and let Audi, Bentley, Skoda, Lamborghini, SEAT and Bugatti do the luxury work…I guess Ford could help with that too.
11/11, 3:10 AM
posted by:
VWgrouP
OOPS! Sorry everyone, I was thinking about the Concept T. I obviously never read about this car. Forget what I said in my first paragraph.