Will we get the BlueSport in the U.S.?

[TurboDan]

Though we don't know ALL the details, it seems like VDubz is actually going to produce the BlueSport in one iteration or another. Since it's going to be diesel-powered, that raises the question as to whether or not they'll sell it here. I hope they do!

Has anyone heard anything on how this vehicle is coming along?

[Payman]

I hope so. It would be a compelling personal sportscar in the $30-$35K range. Much better looking than the current EOS.

[the Teuton]

If we get the Porsche variant, I don't think we will. Americans haven't completely embraced diesels, and also, why sell a $30k VW sports car when the same people who'd buy it would be willing to buy a CPO Boxster or just get the $40k Porsche version instead?

[Colonel Cadillac]

If we get the Porsche variant, I don't think we will. Americans haven't completely embraced diesels, and also, why sell a $30k VW sports car when the same people who'd buy it would be willing to buy a CPO Boxster or just get the $40k Porsche version instead?

I don't think that really reflects the American consumer's mindset.

[the Teuton]

I don't think that really reflects the American consumer's mindset.

There is definitely a market for something like this in the US, but here are some obstacles:

-GM couldn't be profitable with the SolSky after raising the price $5,000 after the first year. It sold like hotcakes. If that couldn't make it at $30,000, who's to say VW could sell this for the same amount? Figure at least $35k.

-At that price, why not just get a Miata instead?

-I don't think there's a huge market for something like this in the US.

-Also, perception. How will they market this thing?

[Galaxy]

-At that price, why not just get a Miata instead?

The Miata is not mid engined.

[the Teuton]

The Miata is not mid engined.

Suddenly, it's 2001 all over again. We all know how that one went, too.

[Galaxy]

Suddenly, it's 2001 all over again. We all know how that one went, too.

Correct me of I am wrong, but i believe that this was a vehicle which had almost zero synergy with other Toyotas, which made it extremely expensive for Toyota to make. The Blue Sport concept on the other had is basically the MQB plattform backwards.

[Raza]

Correct me of I am wrong, but i believe that this was a vehicle which had almost zero synergy with other Toyotas, which made it extremely expensive for Toyota to make. The Blue Sport concept on the other had is basically the MQB plattform backwards.

The MR-2 was also extremely impractical, making it impossible to be used as a daily car for most people, whereas an MX-5 would suffice.  It was ugly as well.  And for most of its life, it didn't offer an automatic transmission.  And, not to mention that the interior was cheap and looked it; the MX-5's was much better.  And when it wasn't an instant success, Toyota abandoned it to sell more boring sedans.  So despite being a better car than the MX-5, it was a sales failure. 

I do hope they sell a gas version of the BlueSport as well.  I will absolutely buy one, if they sell it with a proper manual and don't R32 us.

[2o6]

There is definitely a market for something like this in the US, but here are some obstacles:

-GM couldn't be profitable with the SolSky after raising the price $5,000 after the first year. It sold like hotcakes. If that couldn't make it at $30,000, who's to say VW could sell this for the same amount? Figure at least $35k.

That's not why it wasn't profitable. The technology for the platform was just too expensive. A more traditional approach to manufacturing the car would have made it fine.

-At that price, why not just get a Miata instead?

Choice.

-I don't think there's a huge market for something like this in the US.

You're flat out wrong. The Miata is the only affordable sports car.

-Also, perception. How will they market this thing?

As a cheap convertible, duh.

[Raza]

I hope so. It would be a compelling personal sportscar in the $30-$35K range. Much better looking than the current EOS.

Better pictures:

[2o6]

That's very nice looking.

[Catman]

I love that car! 

[the Teuton]

Don't get me wrong, it looks nice. But VW isn't going to be able to hock a modern Karman Ghia in the US.

[2o6]

Don't get me wrong, it looks nice. But VW isn't going to be able to hock a modern Karman Ghia in the US.

This is nowhere near a Karmann Ghia.


This is an MR sports car, not a slow, 4-place rear engined coupe.

[Raza]

Don't get me wrong, it looks nice. But VW isn't going to be able to hock a modern Karman Ghia in the US.

And you've come to this informed decision by studying the market? 

Sub-30K sports cars are one of the least attended market sectors; as it stands, the MX-5 is the only one left.  If there is a place to fit a new car, this is it. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

VW has lofty goals when it comes to expanding sales.

If they want so free advice i'll be happy to provide.

If you want to sell more cars(around the world and I believe the US was a bigger target), there is one thing they could do.....OFFER MORE CARS.

Sell this here, bring over the scirocco too.

[the Teuton]

And you've come to this informed decision by studying the market? 

Sub-30K sports cars are one of the least attended market sectors; as it stands, the MX-5 is the only one left.  If there is a place to fit a new car, this is it. 

It won't be under $30k.

[Galaxy]

It won't be under $30k.

VW claims it will be priced at MX-5 levels. Though I suppose that could mean that a stripped Blue Sport could cost as much as a loaded MX-5.

I hope they don't cheapon away details like the aluminium fluel tank door with city of Wolfsburg's emblem etched into it. It's little things like that which add character to a car imo.

[Autobahn]

I hope they don't cheapon away details like the aluminium fluel tank door with city of Wolfsburg's emblem etched into it. It's little things like that which add character to a car imo.

Agreed. Will the Porsche version have Stuttgart's prancing horse on the fuel tank door?

[AltinD]

Agreed. Will the Porsche version have Stuttgart's prancing horse on the fuel tank door?

If you as a Swabian doesn't know, who else will?

[Raza]

It won't be under $30k.

And you've come to this conclusion by sitting in on VW conference calls?  Evo says it'll be GTI money.  I trust them over you. 

[MX793]

The Miata is not mid engined.

A fact that didn't help the Toyota MR-S one bit.

[MX793]

I happened across this little beauty when perusing Wikipedia a while back.  Apparently it was exclusive to the Brazilian market.  VW should revive it (or something that draws heavily from its styling), and sell it worldwide.

[Raza]

A fact that didn't help the Toyota MR-S one bit.

The MR-2 was also extremely impractical, making it impossible to be used as a daily car for most people, whereas an MX-5 would suffice.  It was ugly as well.  And for most of its life, it didn't offer an automatic transmission.  And, not to mention that the interior was cheap and looked it; the MX-5's was much better.  And when it wasn't an instant success, Toyota abandoned it to sell more boring sedans.  So despite being a better car than the MX-5, it was a sales failure. 

I do hope they sell a gas version of the BlueSport as well.  I will absolutely buy one, if they sell it with a proper manual and don't R32 us.

[the Teuton]

And you've come to this conclusion by sitting in on VW conference calls?  Evo says it'll be GTI money.  I trust them over you. 

$25k? Ha ha. I call bullshit.

[TurboDan]

A fact that didn't help the Toyota MR-S one bit.

People who actually care about the fact that there's a mid-engine layout aren't very likely to buy Toyotas in the first place. VWs are far more palatable.

[TurboDan]

$25k? Ha ha. I call bullshit.

Well, it better be $25K. People are only willing to pay so much for a car, and I'm sure given their recent history VW is well aware of this fact in the U.S. market. Why do you think the Passat is being shit-canned in favor of something cheaper? If they can't build this thing for under $30K they shouldn't bother. Or it'll be doomed to the fate of the 1-Series, a decent car but the manufacturer seriously jumped the shark on pricing.

[nickdrinkwater]

VW has lofty goals when it comes to expanding sales.

If they want so free advice i'll be happy to provide.

If you want to sell more cars(around the world and I believe the US was a bigger target), there is one thing they could do.....OFFER MORE CARS.

Sell this here, bring over the scirocco too.

MORE cars?

Besides the VW range (Golf, Jetta, Passat, Passat CC, Tiguan, Touraeg, that minivan thing), there's the ever expanding Audi (A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, TT, R8, Q5, Q7).  In the rest of the world, there's SEAT and Skoda.  Not forgetting Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti.  VW now has a stake in Suzuki too - what's the betting they'll take it over in full at some point?

I think that's not far off the Toyota/Lexus range in the US in terms of choice, and they do pretty well in sales.  GM proved that more is not necessarily more, and as a fierce GM critic I'm sure you'd agree...

[2o6]

MORE cars?

Besides the VW range (Golf, Jetta, Passat, Passat CC, Tiguan, Touraeg, that minivan thing), there's the ever expanding Audi (A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, TT, R8, Q5, Q7).  In the rest of the world, there's SEAT and Skoda.  Not forgetting Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti.  VW now has a stake in Suzuki too - what's the betting they'll take it over in full at some point?

I think that's not far off the Toyota/Lexus range in the US in terms of choice, and they do pretty well in sales.  GM proved that more is not necessarily more, and as a fierce GM critic I'm sure you'd agree...

I think he means in the US, where VW's presence us quite limited.