Diesels are fuel efficient and practical, but they're dogged by a reputation for being about as much fun as a tax audit. VW's worked hard to change that perception with cars like the Jetta TDI, but it might be the sweet Concept BlueSport roadster that finally convinces Americans diesels are cool. The mid-engined sports car made its world debut at the Detroit auto show, and although it's just a concept, there's no reason why VW couldn't - or shouldn't - build it. The car gets 42 mpg and emits about as much CO2 as a Toyota Prius, and it is emissions-legal in all 50 states so even car-crazy Californians could buy one.
Diesels are fuel efficient and practical, but they're dogged by a reputation for being about as much fun as a tax audit. VW's worked hard to change that perception with cars like the Jetta TDI, but it might be the sweet Concept BlueSport roadster that finally convinces Americans diesels are cool.
The mid-engined sports car made its world debut at the Detroit auto show, and although it's just a concept, there's no reason why VW couldn't - or shouldn't - build it. The car gets 42 mpg and emits about as much CO2 as a Toyota Prius, and it is emissions-legal in all 50 states so even car-crazy Californians could buy one.
BlueSport relies upon three technologies VW believes will become more prevalent as the auto industry develops cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars:Â turbocharging, automatic start-stop technology and regenerative braking. "The future of Volkswagen belongs to cars like this," company chairman Martin Winkerhorn said as he unveiled the car, which could appear in showrooms in 2011.
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We sure hope so.
Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of a two-seat, mid-engined sports car since unveiling theConcept R in 2003. It rolled out another one, the EcoRacer, two years later at the Tokyo auto show. Such a car always seemed like a long shot, though given it would compete with the Audi TT and perhaps the Porsche Boxster. But VW keeps teasing us, and along comes the BlueSport, built with off-the-shelf parts to keep costs down - and raise our hopes that production might be financially feasible.
Article Continues:Â http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/01/vw-42-mpg-diese.html
