German Car Zone

Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.

In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.

According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg.

If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.

Gallery: Volkswagen Concept R



Gallery: Volkswagen EcoRacer


Source: Autocar. Via: autoblog

I'm interested as long as they actually build it

Does VW actually need all those models?

They do...

Problem is that I rather see Audi & Lamborghini make them.

Gulp! Not sure what to say here. Huck is usually very close so....

I can't imagine this as a VW on the road.

M

A rear wheel drive VW? Hmm I'm not sure Audi is going to like that especially when the TT could face humiliation.

Looks like a CGT And I don't think VW need this car, they allready have lots of little two doors

if its small turbo'd RWD lotus fighter ... then definitely VW needs it ..

As I see it VW target the markets in many ways...

Bread and Butter
Gol, Fox, Polo, Golf, Beetle, Touran, Jetta, Passat, Sharan, Tiguan & Multivan

Performance
Polo GTI, Golf GTI, Golf R32, Passat R36 & Touareg R50.

Luxury
Passat CC,, Touareg & Phaeton

Commercial
Caddy, Transporter, Crafter, Delivery, Worker, Constellation and Volksbus.


So a small roadster & coupe IMO will be a welocme addition to the range that is ever growing.