2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster

It seems VW's long-promised sports car might finally happen. But then again, it might not. Patterned on the recent BlueSport concept, a mid-engine 2-seat ragtop could shape up as affordable driving fun with high mpg and low emissions. Too bad it hasn't yet been given a green light by Volkswagen.

What We Know About the 2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster

Volkswagen has teased us with sports-car dreams since 2003, but has yet to make one a reality. That may be about to change. Sources in Europe say the marquee brand for what is now the world's third largest automaker will probably add an affordable mid-engine 2-seat convertible patterned on the Concept BlueSport from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Just don't rush to your local dealer. Those same sources say the VW Roadster isn't likely to materialize until 2012 at the earliest. Even that seems optimistic based on more recent reporting out of Europe.

So why tease us again with an evidently showroom-ready design, and so far in advance? Well, VW is feeling pretty good these days, being one of the few major automakers that actually gained sales in 2008 despite the deteriorating global economy. The Concept BlueSport seems meant to symbolize the company's health and rosy future. No less important, it sends a message that VW won't sacrifice driving fun for low emissions and high mpg. In other words, VW wants you to have it all, and at a reasonable price.

Though many details would likely change before any production starts, sources believe the Detroit concept accurately forecasts what VW calls its Modular Sports Car (MSC) and what we're calling the 2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster. Like the VW-brokered Porsche 914 of the 1970s, it's a "corporate kit car," with powertrains, structural elements and many minor components lifted from other models in the large VW fleet--including a few not yet on the market. This approach reduces upfront development costs and makes it relatively easy to fashion related versions for other VW Group brands. Indeed, there's talk that upscale division Audi may offer its own MSC, possibly badged R4. Ditto Porsche, now VW Group's largest shareholder, which is said to be eyeing a new entry-level car below the Boxster.