Vw Group's Three new Roadsters

Despite sharing a mid-engined platform, being based around common rear-wheel-drive underpinnings and using the same electrical architecture, the upcoming Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen roadsters have been conceived to appeal to very different buyers.


Audi R4

The attention-stealer, however, is set to be a range-topping 350bhp version developed by Quattro GmbH and powered by the same turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder powerplant from the RS3 and TT RS. With 350bhp — 35bhp more than today’s most potent Boxster — it promises heady performance with 0-62mph in less than 5.0sec and a top speed of around 175mph.
The five-pot variant is likely to follow a couple of years after the R4’s initial launch; an on-sale date of around 2015 looks likely.
A bigger surprise is the very strong possibility of a diesel powerplant in the line-up, as part of a push to link Audi’s Le Mans 24 Hours successes in diesel-powered endurance racers with its road cars.
A strong candidate is a yet-to-be-seen twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder oil-burner, set to be aired in next year’s A3 and likely to make at least 200bhp and 295lb ft




Porche Baby Boxer

Porsche is preparing to roll out a new entry-level sports car that will help underpin the maker’s long-term future as part of the giant VW Group.
Dubbed by some insiders as the “new 356”, the mid-engined machine will not, however, be a bargain basement model, despite initial rumours to the contrary. Given the final green light, it would cost from about £33,000 in today’s money.



VW Bluesport

Volkswagen’s cut price alternative to the Porsche Boxster – the BlueSport. The attractive mid-engined roadster was originally conceived as a one-off concept car but has now been granted an internal development codename, raising hopes that it will one day go into production as a spiritual successor to the 914 – the classic mid-engined roadster developed by Volkswagen in the late 1960s but only ever sold as a Porsche.