Volkswagen’s Lightweight Answer To The Lotus Elise

We have seen plenty of Volkswagen sports car concepts in the past but have never actually seen one make it to production save the Scirocco but that hardly qualifies into the “sports car” context of this post, but here we have a concept that may actually make it to the tarmac.

The idea of a lighweight, affordable roadster was first introduced in 2003 as the Concept R at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then again two years later as the EcoRacer and that somewhat proved that VW was still toying with the idea of a lightweight roadster.

As that was going on there were also two similar concepts that never left the VW studio but VW plans to introduce a new mid-engine concept coupe at this years Los Angeles Auto Show, and the good thing about this concept is, it has a chance to make it to production.

According to the guys over at Autocar, VW has its sight locked onto the Lotus Elise and plans to give it a run for its money with this new concept. Essentially a budget alternative to the Elise, the VW Coupe represents a balance of performance and fuel economy in a low cost package. Rumour has it that it will be powered by either a mid-mounted 168hp, 1.4 liter TSI petrol engine or a similarly placed 125hp, 1.6 liter TDI engine. Power will be channeled to the rear wheels through VWs highly acclaimed seven speed DSG gearbox.

The coupe weighs in at a shade under a ton and completes the century sprint in under seven seconds while returning a very commendable 88km’s for every 4 liters of petrol, just the type of thing we need in today’s speculation driven fuel price madness.

If the coupe actually makes it to production which is widely believed to be in 2011, it could also provide the platform for the “oft rumoured and continually denied Audi R4″, and let’s not forget that Porsche own a stake in V-Dub now as well, could a successor to the legendary 914 be under way as well? I’m sure fans across the world certainly hope so.

Source: AutoBlog