Running footage of the Concept Blue Sport that was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.
Volkswagen defined just two objectives in the cars development:
maximum driving fun and minimal fuel consumption. And so a midengine
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 27 kilograms 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. In the cargo area under
the front hood, for example, the Concept BlueSport can stow 112
liters of luggage; its counterpart in the rear can handle an additional
70 liters of cargo volume. Altogether that makes 182 liters enough
for working documents or an extended weekend trip for two. Also
extended, by the way, are the distances between any two fuel fillups.
With a fuel tank volume of 50 liters and the noted fuel economy of 42 mpg (consumption of 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers), the
theoretical range is greater than 710 miles (1,150 kilometers).
Making a positive impact on the cars 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. Its entire operation is absolutely
intuitive and saves up to 0.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the
city. 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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