VW Roadster: The Porsche Boxster-beater!

Here's an exclusive look at VW's upcoming Porsche Boxster-beater! Based on the concept R show car, the two-seater roadster will offer searing pace and razor-sharp handling. Porsche, watch out!

R you ready for the most exciting Volkswagen ever?

The newcomer is one of at least 25 new models the firm is launching over the next five years - these include the new Eos convertible, a Golf-based SUV and even a Golf coupé, as revealed by Auto Express in Issue 886. With striking looks and a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout, the new roadster will provide a cut-price rival to the Boxster, plus BMW's Z4 and Mercedes' SLK, as well as competing directly with the Honda S2000 and Vauxhall's forthcoming GT.

The mag's pictures, which are based on exclusive insider information, reveal the machine has changed little from the Concept R show car.

Key styling cues such as the wheel-at-each-corner stance, curvy shape and twin roll hoops - which hide the electric folding canvas roof - remain intact. To make the new roadster as cost-effective as possible, the concept's hi-tech cabin, which featured a fixed seating arrangement with movable pedals and a digital dashboard, will be replaced with a minimalist layout.

Keeping costs down is paramount - a production version of the Concept R was due to arrive this year, but bosses reportedly canned the project because its price had edged towards the £32,600 cost of a Boxster. VW is believed to be targeting a figure of around £27,000 for the new model.

Without a mid-engined platform in its line-up, the firm is expected to join forces with another manufacturer to create a chassis for the new roadster - which is tipped by experts to have a spaceframe layout. VW is also expected to call on the expertise of Lotus Engineering (see panel) to develop the car's suspension and handling.

Power shouldn't be a problem for the firm, though. With more than 250bhp from the 3.2-litre V6 FSI engine borrowed from the Passat saloon, the featherweight machine should cover the 0-60mph sprint in five seconds and hit a limited top speed of 155mph.

A performance diesel model, which will be powered by the 170bhp 2.0-litre engine from the Golf GT TD, will arrive soon after the petrol version debuts in 2009. Both models are set to use a six-speed manual gearbox, while the firm's DSG sequential shift transmission will also be available.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Roadster

Source: AutoExpress

VW Roadster: The Porsche Boxster-beater!

Watch more TV. The German Car TV.

Read more