Hot News: VW to Build Lotus Elise Rival

Volkswagen has resurrected plans for an affordable, mid-engined coupe and roadster as part of an image building campaign as it sets about fulfilling its ambitious target of selling over five million cars a year by 2018.

According to Volkswagen chairman, Martin Winterkorn, the company is planning to unveil a concept version of a lightweight two-seater at the LA motor show in November. If reaction is positive enough then the new car, which has been styled under the leadership of Walter da Silva, could be in showrooms as early as 2011.

“We are working on a mid-engined concept for the Los Angeles motor show,” a senior source revealed to Autocar, “It is the fifth time in as many years that we have created such a car but this time, more than any other, the signs are looking good that we will get a production green light.”
Read Article

_43LE - 7/21/2008 12:13:37 PM

+1 Boost

Forget about the EOS, this would be very cool!

0to60 - 7/21/2008 1:07:12 PM

+1 Boost

Sweet!

DieselRules - 7/21/2008 2:05:49 PM

+1 Boost

Is this really old?
5 million a year target???
VW Group sells over a million vehicles a month.
In fact, looking at CAR production (ignoring trucks, vans, etc.) VW is just behind Toyota in production.
1 Million cars and 1 Billion USD in profit every month.
So, the 5 million is just for VW Brand cars?
Numbers still look low.

mini22 - 7/21/2008 2:14:49 PM

+2 Boost

Would make me forget about the Scirroco

TehShibbs - 7/21/2008 5:43:28 PM

0 Boost

We wouldn't get it in the US anyway, which is a shame.

PintoRacer - 7/21/2008 8:27:19 PM

+2 Boost

If they want to debut it in LA then maybe they're planning for the US market as well?

mattman953 - 7/21/2008 8:36:02 PM

+1 Boost

Thumbs up! If only the Concept R had come to fruition instead of the Eos. Not that the Eos is bad, but I would have liked to see a 2 seater Ala Miata.

DieselRules - 7/22/2008 2:33:59 PM

+1 Boost

Under 1 tonne with TDI and 7-spd DSG???
That would be AMAZING
Then, watch for the kit-car makers to build weird, super-car-like bodies for it.

A fun sportscar getting > 60 MPG could open up a totally new market niche!