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VW BlueSport roadster 'long way off'

The Volkswagen roadster's appearance won't change much from its 2009 concept version.

But the BlueSport roadster, first shown as a concept in January 2009, still has a long way to go and even Europe doesn't expect it before 2013. Volkswagen Australia is keen to get the car, seeing it as a valuable addition to its range. But, says spokesman Karl Gehling, the car is still a ‘long way off’.

The mid-engined two-seater - which revives the spirit of the Porsche-VW joint venture 914 targa-top of the 1970s - will go into battle against the Mazda MX-5 and upcoming Renault Wind, Honda CR-Z and the as yet unnamed Toyota MR2 replacement.

The Volkswagen roadster's appearance won't change much from its 2009 concept version.  Beneath the taut body the car uses many Golf components but has a unique aluminium chassis. This, combined with a fabric, manually-operated roof, is expected to keep the weight down around the MX-5's 1200kg.

It will reportedly get the option of the Golf's 2-litre turbo-diesel engine and DSG transmission, plus the availability of a conventional six-speed manual gearbox and the 1.4-litre supercharged-turbocharged petrol and 2-litre turbo-petrol engines.

Auto Express says performance from the diesel version is expected to be rapid, with a 0-100km/h time of about six seconds and a 6.3 litre/100km average fuel consumption and sub-120g/km CO2 emission.