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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 S...Read the full article

One can only assume that Porsche will move these two models upmarket in terms of performance and price. If Audi also introduce an R4 model that middle sector for sports cars is going to start looking awfully crowded...

Yeahhhh, what ever they recon!

Lets face it the only similarity it will share with the Elise will be the fact it is made from aluminium and its mid engined.  By the time VW have finished with it, it will be safe and boring.  It will have numb steering and an oh so desperately practical interior. 

The only one of the three potential VW / Audi / Porsche trio that will be any good will be the Porsche version provided its not just badge engineered.

Porsche will also have to tread carefully.  The 914 is not really remembered as one of their better works as it is.  What's next, a 2.0 TDi or TFSi engined 911 to remember the 912 of years past!  A Sirroco re-badged as a 944.  Please no!  Stop this madness.

What it will lack is the purity, the fun, the zest that makes the Elise what it is.  I don't think Lotus should worry yet.

Vauxhall building an "Elise" sounded improbable, but the VX220 didn't turn out too badly.

Apex Twin:

Vauxhall building an "Elise" sounded improbable, but the VX220 didn't turn out too badly.

That because it WAS an elise! - all vauxhall really did was change the engine and bodyshell design!

 

I agree that VW seem to have a habit of making all their cars dull and boring so as not to risk offending or upsetting anyone. Whats the betting Porsche will make sure this is the case anyway to stop its own sales been affected.

I'm pleased to hear that VW are developing a 1.6 diesel, which would no doubt go into other models. All the aged 1.9 has to offer is infrequent servicing, so a more powerful smaller engine seems to be a sensible choice - just like Peugeot/Ford/BMW, Renault's excellent 1.5 dCi and the new Fiat 1.6 Multijet.

As for the car, it does seem to be "oh, we don't make one of those yet, so perhaps we should". It would be good it it costs £13k and is relativly practical - but not an Elise competitor.

If VW make a roadster that can get you to the end of your street without having to call the AA, that would make it better than an Elise.

Probably be front engined and front wheel drive within six months due to stability issues perhaps?