More about the BlueSport Concept

 

 

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• World Premiere of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport:

  WOLFSBURG / DETROIT -- Volkswagen is starting the new year by presenting an automotive dream an affordable, uncommonly economical and highly agile mid-engine roadster. Its name: Concept BlueSport. Status: concept. Dynamics: pure. Positioning: genuine, low-emissions roadster that makes every mile a driving experience. World premiere: Detroit, Michigan, on January 11, 2009.

  The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakable statement in terms of sustainability. The fact is: if the Concept BlueSport were to go into production it could herald in a renaissance of the compact roadster. Another fact: this car handles just as well in the urban environment of metropolises as it does on very curvy country roads and long expressway routes.

  Volkswagen defined just two objectives in the car's development: maximum driving fun and minimal fuel consumption. And so a mid- engine sports car was implemented that makes no compromises, that aims at low weight and maximum agility right from the start. Although it is best in its class when it comes to body rigidity, the Concept BlueSport weighs in at less than 1,200 athletic kilograms. The results: performance that is more than impressive for every life situation, in addition to the cited fuel economy and emissions advantages. Low weight was attained by consistent application of lightweight construction methods (among other things, the soft top – at 60 lbs – is the lightest in its class, and the hoods are made of aluminum), and by a body layout with crisp and compact dimensions.

  Despite all of the sports car fascination included on board, it still offers a respectable level of everyday utility. With a fuel tank volume of 14 gallon and the noted fuel economy of 42 mpg, the theoretical range is greater than 580 miles. Making a positive impact on the car's range, fuel economy and emissions are two technologies that could become more and more commonplace in the future and are part of the so-called Eco mode on the Concept BlueSport: an automatic start-stop system and braking energy regeneration. The place where automatic start-stop shines is in city traffic. When the Concept BlueSport stops at a red traffic light, for example, it automatically shuts off its engine. As soon as the light turns green again, just tapping on the gas pedal is enough to start the engine lightning fast. Furthermore, primarily when the Concept BlueSport is braked, energy is generated by the alternator (regeneration), which relieves the engine and further improves fuel economy.

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