Detroit: VW BlueSport Concept: A 21st century roadster the masses

Apart from the ill-conceived, if superbly executed Phaeton, Volkswagen has produced a steady string of commercial and esthetic winners in recent years, from the latest iterations of the Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Toureg to, from all indications, the new Routan and Tiguan.

OK, so a company whose very name embodies transportation for commoners had no business (literally) targeting a car to bluebloods and futures traders. As VW's other offerings attest, Wolfsburg has its act together when it comes to designing and building "wagens" whose combination of utility, style and performance prove nigh on to irresistible to discerning segments of the common "volk".

It would seem Volkswagen has another such winner in the pipeline with its Concept BlueSport roadster introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Concept BlueSport appears to be ideally suited to these times, given its underlining themes of maximum fun and minimal consumption.

First the fun part. The Concept BlueSport has a lean, linear body embodying what VW calls its "design DNA". In practical terms, that means the Concept BlueSport incorporates familiar VW styling elements such as the prominent cross beams formed by the narrow radiator grill and painted bumper, and a large air inlet extending across the nose and integrating into the translucent, dark-tinted LED turn signals. On the other hand, the BlueSport's prominently flared fenders front and rear, lateral air intakes, short overhangs, low height and ten spoke, alloy wheels equipped with 235/35 ZR19s (front) and 245/35/ZR19s (rear) tires sends unmistakable signals of energetic performance.

Underneath the pleasantly aggressive exterior is a drivetrain capable of delivering on that promise. The Concept BlueSport is equipped with a 180 hp, two-liter, four cylinder TDI diesel mated to a six speed transmission that propel the Concept BlueSport from 0-60 mph in 6.2sec and a claimed top speed of 140 mph.

As for minimal consumption, consider the combination of Concept BlueSport's flyweight (just under 2600 pounds) and TDI engine return up to 55 mpg in economy mode, while discharging 180 grams of CO2 per mile. Aiding its efficiency are energy regeneration and automatic start-up systems, the latter "intuitively" shutting-down the engine at red lights and restarting - "lightning fast" according the VW - at a tap of the throttle.

The Concept BlueSport's accommodations also seek to integrate fun and functionality. Prominent on the transmission tunnel is a touchscreen that controls the car's information and entertainment functions. And in place of a gearshift knob is a small dial/wheel controlling the dual clutch transmission which works in concert with the multifunctional steering wheel. Behind the integrated head restraints is the Concept BlueSport's roll bar and behind that is the manually-operated (i.e. lightweight) convertible top, stowed beneath an orange cover that contrasts nicely with the silver-gray body.

The key half of the Concept BlueSport nomenclature is "concept". No timeline or price range was offered in Detroit. But with more than 180 liters of cargo storage, a theoretical range in excess of 700 miles, its powerful appearance and spirited, albeit efficient, performance, VW's Concept BlueSport offers a sound basis for a 21st century roadster the masses should find most appealing.