R18

[dxg]

Has anyone noticed this article:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=858397

Asides from the exciting nature of it in it's own right, there are two reasons why I believe it could be relevant to the New Polo GTI / R18:

1.
It is scheduled to use the "150hp 2.0 liter FSI direct-injection engine" from the new A3 (read: Golf V)

2.
It mentions this "click technology" stuff - it's just modular standardisation that the automotive industry's been chasing for years (my thesis was, in part, on this ) Scania were a forerunner in tractor unit configurations. Anyway back to the polo:

The article states: "the engine and tranny on the new roadster is lifted from the Polo - the subframe is mounted behind the rear seats at 180 degrees."

OK, so that means all this sportster needs is a new gearbox (i.e. running the engine "backwards" compared to the polo module configuration which this article implies already exists!!!

So there you have it - my money's on a tuned NA FSI engine, rather than the 1.8T.

Of course, I could be completely up the wrong tree here, guys

Deek.

[Petrified]

This looks like a completly new car. Which is rather nice though. Shame it's planned for 2005, but them I'd probably be looking for a new car then

Kinda looks a bit like a TT

James.

[dxg]

Yeah, it's a new car from the outside, but built around a standard engine bay module - which this article is saying already exists for the new polo (but yet to have a "big" engine attached to it, obviously). I haven't heard of this modular approach in VW before, so perhaps the new polo is the first of this phase in VW's development.

What makes the article relevant to the R18 discussion is the fact that it implies the engine bay module used for the new polo can hold some, as yet unseen, 150bhp derivate of the FSI engine.

Think of the (old) mini front sub frame - that's the imagine in my head any way. Take this (with engine attached) bolt it to the traditional bulkhead/firewall put it in the new polo - GTI! turn it through 180 bolt it to the back of a b-pillar-equivalent bulkhead and you'd get the basis for this sportster.

I think, anyway - standard get-out clauses apply!!

(i.e. take with a large pinch of salt)

Deek.

[Petrified]

I see what you mean!
Still, looks quite nice.

[Petrified]

Oh, and on the subject of the New Polo GTi. I REALLY hope they call it the R18 as I've just aquired R18 DUB for the cost of transferring it.

Hey, if they don't call it the R18 I could maybe sell it to anotther VW owner with the initials RIB (Which is where I got it from!).

James.

[dxg]

Petrified - it looks like your investment may prove to be worthwhile --- see the last para in this (from the sportster thread on vortex):

Here's another article I found on Auto Express:
According to industry sources in Germany, Volkswagen is planning a sporty roadster to take on the class leaders.

Using technology gleaned from its experience with Lamborghini and Audi, VW is preparing an assault on the best sellers in a bid to have a car available in every sector. The newcomer, which takes its frontal styling from the dramatic Nardo concept, is expected to be called the Spyder. It will be sold alongside the Touareg and Phaeton as part of the German company's new line-up of niche market products

But that's not the only surprise VW has up its sleeve - it's also aiming to create the most fuel-friendly sports car ever. As Auto Express exclusively revealed in issue 700, the ultra-economical roadster will be powered by a mid-mounted 1.2-litre diesel engine, also due to go into the Lupo, Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia. Thanks to an ultra-light bonded bodyshell, VW engineers reckon it will return more than 90mpg.

With fibreglass panels, no dashboard and an extruded aluminium chassis similar to that of the Elise, the VW roadster will weigh less than 800kg when it reaches showrooms in late 2005. But the featherweight body won't be the only reason for the car's excellent fuel economy. Aerodynamics based on those of the firm's experimental 1-litre model, unveiled last year, will ensure wind resistance is kept to a minimum.

The diesel will also be stripped to the bones, with no electric windows, airbags, ESP, ABS or brake servo. Low-resistance tyres and magnesium alloy wheels will further add to the car's frugality. In addition to the lean and clean oil-burning model, enthusiastic drivers will be able to choose from two petrol engines. The FSI units will be plucked from other Volkswagen/Audi products, and will include a 120bhp 1.6-litre and a flagship 2.0-litre producing 150bhp. Despite the modest power output, the range-topper is expected to accelerate from 0-60mph in around five seconds thanks to its ultra-light weight, while the maximum speed is anticipated to be around the 140mph mark.

Larger-engined models will come with additional safety features, as well as a luxurious interior. Leather trim and a proper dashboard will grace the flagship, while ABS and airbags will also be offered. All versions will come with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG sequential gearboxes. The latter will be identical to the unit found in the Audi TT V6, while the manuals will be close-ratio developments of the six-speeders already found in the Golf and Passat.

As well as the new roadster, VW is planning a raft of sporty variants of existing models. The long-awaited 150bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged Polo GTI joins the range later this year, along with a 150bhp diesel, while early in 2004 the German company will reveal its answer to the Vauxhall Zafira GSi in the form of a 210bhp Touran. An R32 version of the new Golf, due next year, is expected to be available from launch.

So all that waffle above about a 150 FSI engine could well be rubbish and we are looking at an "R18" after all, just like everyone thought before I stuck my big oar in. Sorry guys.

Deek.

[polo2k]

[KarlM]

Looks like VW have found thier feet and are starting to produce drivers cars again.

[dxg]

No brake servo, no power steering...

yay! real driver feel, anyone?

kinda reminds me of my first car - fiat uno formula (903cc pushrod) - had more awareness of where "the edge" was in that car than I have in any car since. imho that's where the fun is; it isn't necessarily always about speed.

[Babe RuthLess]

Hehehe my first car was a Uno too, 999cc and 56bhp. Good car for reaching limits - at 55mph!

As for the VW roadster, the 150bhp FSI engine is not unseen but rather it has just been launched in the new Audi A3.

The roadster is bound to have many Polo parts, so there's always hope...

And on a side note, what do you guys think of Seat? Because from a South American point of view it's really hard to take Seat seriously! (saw the Seat pics at the Vortex thread and that got me thinking...)

[KarlM]

The Cupras are very quick, and some of them come with Brembos as standard!

They are known as the 'sporty' arm of the VAG group, but the build quality isn't as good as VW or Audi.

[polo2k]

brembos arnt anything to write home about in some cases as the stock discs on a mk4 golf are brembo and in some cases are pretty terrible

[KarlM]

Really? i've always been told that Brembo make some of the best calipers in the industry.

[polo2k]

calipers yes but discs no
and the company brembo make calipers for all kinds of cars so they do make some that make your push bike look like its dropped an anchor but then again they make some that will stop a super car from over 200 miles an hour

[dxg]

Sorry to bring this old thread back from the dead, but it looks like there definately will be a reason to start saving pennies now...

In addition, in principle a reorientation is demanded - the back meditation on traditional mark values, particularly with VOLKSWAGEN after the high positioning with phaeton and Touareg, forced through with all power of Pieech , now needs VOLKSWAGEN guideline assistance for the future adjustment in the markets. And those is to bring above all more fun cars to reasonable prices. As for example - one hears and is astonished - a compact VOLKSWAGEN roadster.

So VW wants to get back to its roots and start producing driver's cars again - yay!

Full article (with lots of pics of next-gen VWs!):
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfis ... d0c66cde76

Deek.