January 13, 2009

Volkswagen tantalises at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with the Bluesport roadster.  As the big three US car giants beg for a lifeline from Washington the efficient German is the perfect ilustration of how US carmakers have backed the wrong horse! 

although there are no plans to put the car into production the two seater roadster sets out to assuage any environmental concerns that future buyers may have of owning a two seater sports car.  Powered by a four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI engine which produces 180 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque from 1,750 rpm.  The Concept emits just 113 g/km of CO2, while returning 65 mpg on the combined cycle, meaning that the run of driving the car won't cost the earth.

Boasting a top speed of 140 mph and 0-60 time of just 6.6 seconds the bluemotion will give drivers plenty to smile about.  The Bluesport also features near even weight distribution (45:55) and has an 'eco' mode which sees it benefit from Stop-Start technology which will see the engine stop when you're stuck in traffic.  It even has a system of braking regeneration which sees energy transferred back into the car when you slow down.

With generous luggage and storage space at both the back and front of the car the Bluesport would no doubt find itself a popular model but with no plans for launch drivers will have to wait. 

In the current financial climate the demand for two seater roadsters is no doubt significantly lower that it was two years ago.  This may explain why VW have no plans to make this sporting dream into a reality just yet, but the Bluesport illustrates the difference between the German and US motor industries appreciation of what drivers in the late noughties want - an efficient car.  If they're fun to drive then all the better!

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