Future looks dim for the VW BlueSport platform

There has been talk of a family of small mid-engined roadsters from Volkswagen for some time and with the car now close to completion it seems to have fallen from favour among the companies senior executives. The car which was launched as the VW BlueSport Roadster concept in Detroit in 2009 is aimed to be a super-efficient low-carbon sports car. Versions for VW, Audi and Porsche have seen discussion with the platform developed differently to suit each brand.

The Concept BlueSport was fitted with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI engine which produced 180 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque from 1,750 rpm.  Power was transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox sending the BlueSport from standstill to 100 kph / 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and then on to a top speed of 140 mph. 

Porsche have said that the car could dilute their premium level brand while at the same time releasing an entry level SUV. It is more likely that they are worried that the four cylinder car would eat too much into Boxster sales. Audi will have similar fears about falling TT sales and both brands may be concerned about loosing customers to VW who currently do not produce a purpose built sports car.

In contrast Volkswagen have aired fears that the BlueSport would not sell in the kind of quantity that the brand usually expects. In order to meet their current sales goals they aim to concentrate on their core models – that means hatchbacks, saloons, crossovers and SUVs. The new Beetle and Scirroco may be as sporty as they come for a while.

The BlueSport isn’t dead yet but VW engineering boss Uli Hackenberg has been quoted as saying ‘There is no official release for the project. It’s not a technology problem, but of finding enough customers. I don’t have enough (sales) volume to get the go-ahead.’