Detroit 2009: Five Cars For The Enthusiast
2009 Volkswagen Concept BlueSport
The only thing wrong with VW's roadster concept is the engine. The Concept BlueSport is light enough that a direct-injection, turbocharged gasoline engine would result in a very fast two-seater but still return impressive gas mileage. We just don't see the point in dropping a diesel engine-with their typically boring, low-revving powerband-into a light sportscar. Still, the rest of the Concept BlueSport is fantastic. It looks great, kind of a baby Boxster with some Mazda MX-5 details dropped in. So VW, listen up: replace the oil-burner with the 272 hp 2.0-liter engine out of the Audi TTS, drop in a real-deal six-speed manual transmission, and build this car. Heck, we'd be happy with a 200-hp version of the engine out of the GTI.