Report: Volkswagen plans rear-engine Mini competitor

jetsetter · February 23rd, 2007, 11:48 PM

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5994/vdubkc3.png

Quote:

Volkswagen is planning a rear-engine compact car to compete with BMW's Mini Cooper, according to a report by German car magazine Auto Bild. Few details are available, but such an engine layout would dictate a rear-wheel-drive system — a rarity in the world of modern compact cars.

Aside from the Porsche 911, few modern cars have their engine over the back wheels. Most modern super cars use a mid-engine configuration, and the rest of the vehicles on the road typically have the powerplant up front. Even the Volkswagen Beetle — once an iconic rear-engine car — now has its engine in front of the the passengers.

The reasons for designing such a vehicle are not known, but VW might be trying to create a new niche for an ultra-sporty low-cost compact car. Earlier this month, we told you how Volkswagen's new CEO Martin Winterkorn intends to fill "lucrative market niches" with new models over the coming years. His goal is to transform VW into a maker of high-profit niche cars.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/02/...ni-competitor/

Could be quite interesting.

Ford Prefect · February 24th, 2007, 12:00 AM

I dunno, VW had their chance at bringing a really cool rear engined car back to life with the Beetle, but failed miserably...

and this thing is butt-ugly... they´ll have to come up with something very different to that if they want to conquer the mini-customers...

fbc · February 24th, 2007, 12:16 AM

I have my doubts - I just can't see VW developing something like this, not when they're the kings of platform sharing.

Vette Boss · February 24th, 2007, 1:05 AM

King of platform sharing, doesn't that title belong to GM? images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

I seriously doubt VW would make another rear-engined car.

Narcolepsy · February 24th, 2007, 1:25 AM

Hows the pricing going to work? like is this going to take sales from the lupo - its like a tiny, city car, hot hatch, mini - clio - ka - thing.

Donington · February 24th, 2007, 1:41 AM

Immediate thoughts: WOW!

Then I saw it. Blast. Thta things horrible. It looks like what happens if a Clio V6, A Passat and a VW Fox collide.

jetsetter · February 24th, 2007, 1:45 AM

People, this is the magazine's guess. It is a photoshop job. That photo does not represent what it coming out.

Blind_Io · February 24th, 2007, 1:57 AM

I was excited by the thread title, but horribly disappointed in the design. It's hideous!

I was hoping for something that looked more like the R5 Turbo 2. I have loved the look of this car ever since I first saw it in Never Say Never Again.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/638/earlyleadnp0.jpg

I think I just decided on the car I would import to the US. Although the base R5 was brought in the Turbo2 never was.

flyingfridge · February 24th, 2007, 2:12 AM

it's promising. imagine a golf GTi engine stuffed into the back of a nimble little car. that'd be very, very schnell. a mini-budget 911...

jayhawk · February 24th, 2007, 2:15 AM

I am using the only available photo as a topic point:

Most men are OK with being in a Mini, it may be a bit metrosexual, but its also pretty handsome and kinda aggressive, in an attack hamster kind of way.

But that VW...thing. No male would want to be driving that; it just screams "chick car". It's too cute.

Scott · February 24th, 2007, 2:22 AM

Anyone ever seen a Fiesta Shogun? That is one of the coolest little cars ever!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/789000-789999/789789_18_full.jpg

http://www.fordfestiva.com/multimediaandfun/gallery/grshogun/My%20Pictures0014.jpg

Blind_Io · February 24th, 2007, 2:36 AM

Is that a Ford logo on the manifold?

This thing must be loud as hell, you can see right down to the pavement through the engine bay and there is no sound proofing that I can see. Granted it's a track car, but I would like something to drive daily as well. If I got my hands on one of these I would probably line the engine bay with some acoustiblock or something similar to dampen the sound.

jetsetter · February 24th, 2007, 2:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Is that a Ford logo on the manifold?

This thing must be loud as hell, you can see right down to the pavement through the engine bay and there is no sound proofing that I can see. Granted it's a track car, but I would like something to drive daily as well. If I got my hands on one of these I would probably line the engine bay with some acoustiblock or something similar to dampen the sound.

It uses the Yamaha designed DOHC V6 that was used in the older SHO Taurus.

No Boss · February 24th, 2007, 4:31 AM

I read the title and all I could think of was WTF!?

Blind_Io · February 24th, 2007, 7:09 AM

Thanks Jetsetter, I never knew that. images/smilies/smile.gif

Magnet · February 24th, 2007, 9:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Anyone ever seen a Fiesta Shogun? That is one of the coolest little cars ever!

That thing must spin like a top if you put the boot in!

un-dee · February 24th, 2007, 2:04 PM

Magazines should be banned for publishing such awful photoshops.

Redliner · February 24th, 2007, 3:18 PM

It would be cool if they made the Sirocco prototype rear wheel drive...

M3lover · February 24th, 2007, 3:58 PM

The idea is good, but the Colt / smart design let's it down completely. Hope they end up making it much flatter.

bartboy9891 · February 24th, 2007, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I was excited by the thread title, but horribly disappointed in the design. It's hideous!

I was hoping for something that looked more like the R5 Turbo 2. I have loved the look of this car ever since I first saw it in Never Say Never Again.

I think I just decided on the car I would import to the US. Although the base R5 was brought in the Turbo2 never was.

You actually watched Never Say Never Again??
If VW actually makes this, it'll probably just be a Smart clone.

February 24th, 2007, 12:00 AM	#2
Ford Prefect Joined: Dec 10th, 2006 Last Online: 12:15 AM Location: Munich/Regensburg Age: 26 Posts: 1,279 Car: MINI Rep Power: 27	I dunno, VW had their chance at bringing a really cool rear engined car back to life with the Beetle, but failed miserably... and this thing is butt-ugly... they´ll have to come up with something very different to that if they want to conquer the mini-customers... __________________

February 24th, 2007, 12:16 AM	#3
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	I have my doubts - I just can't see VW developing something like this, not when they're the kings of platform sharing. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

February 24th, 2007, 1:05 AM	#4
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 8:01 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 23 Posts: 3,637 Car: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Rep Power: 66	King of platform sharing, doesn't that title belong to GM? I seriously doubt VW would make another rear-engined car. __________________ 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T. Das Auto

February 24th, 2007, 1:25 AM	#5
Narcolepsy Joined: Sep 17th, 2006 Last Online: September 7th, 2009 Location: Philadelphia, USA Posts: 558 Rep Power: 13	Hows the pricing going to work? like is this going to take sales from the lupo - its like a tiny, city car, hot hatch, mini - clio - ka - thing. __________________ 05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 94 Mercedes-Benz C280 (Retired.....by a tree)

February 24th, 2007, 1:45 AM	#7
jetsetter Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 6:40 AM Location: Most Serene Republic of California Posts: 5,742 Car: 1992 Toyota Pickup Rep Power: 76	People, this is the magazine's guess. It is a photoshop job. That photo does not represent what it coming out. __________________ "I saw myself founding a new religion, marching into Asia riding an elephant, a turban on my head and in my hands the new Koran I would have written to suit my needs." - Napoléon Bonaparte Last edited by jetsetter; February 24th, 2007 at 2:05 AM.

February 24th, 2007, 1:41 AM	#6
Donington Joined: Jan 26th, 2007 Last Online: 6:31 AM Location: Now in Plymouth, Englandshire Age: 20 Posts: 4,263 Rep Power: 176	Immediate thoughts: WOW! Then I saw it. Blast. Thta things horrible. It looks like what happens if a Clio V6, A Passat and a VW Fox collide.

February 24th, 2007, 1:57 AM	#8
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 12:35 AM Location: Utah, USA Age: 28 Posts: 10,993 Car: 2006 Nissan X-Terra - 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 266	I was excited by the thread title, but horribly disappointed in the design. It's hideous! I was hoping for something that looked more like the R5 Turbo 2. I have loved the look of this car ever since I first saw it in Never Say Never Again. I think I just decided on the car I would import to the US. Although the base R5 was brought in the Turbo2 never was. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

February 24th, 2007, 2:12 AM	#9
flyingfridge Joined: Jul 1st, 2005 Last Online: June 6th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 2,349 Car: R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec, FG Falcon G6 Rep Power: 24	it's promising. imagine a golf GTi engine stuffed into the back of a nimble little car. that'd be very, very schnell. a mini-budget 911... __________________ 1/4 Mile: 12.426 (Calder Park) Winton: 1'38.890 Sandown: 1'27.179 "The old Skyline GT-R felt exciting even when it was in a carwash." - Jeremy Clarkson "Those who know GT-Rs can't explain. Those who don't cannot understand." - frankiess

February 24th, 2007, 2:15 AM	#10
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 2:28 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,471 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	I am using the only available photo as a topic point: Most men are OK with being in a Mini, it may be a bit metrosexual, but its also pretty handsome and kinda aggressive, in an attack hamster kind of way. But that VW...thing. No male would want to be driving that; it just screams "chick car". It's too cute. __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

February 24th, 2007, 2:22 AM	#11
Scott Previously known as ssnapier Joined: May 23rd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Fort Detrick, Maryland Posts: 1,650 Car: RS2'd 95 Audi S-6 '06 Jetta TDI Rep Power: 36	Anyone ever seen a Fiesta Shogun? That is one of the coolest little cars ever! __________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _ Move along, nothing to see here folks...

February 24th, 2007, 2:36 AM	#12
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 12:35 AM Location: Utah, USA Age: 28 Posts: 10,993 Car: 2006 Nissan X-Terra - 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 266	Is that a Ford logo on the manifold? This thing must be loud as hell, you can see right down to the pavement through the engine bay and there is no sound proofing that I can see. Granted it's a track car, but I would like something to drive daily as well. If I got my hands on one of these I would probably line the engine bay with some acoustiblock or something similar to dampen the sound. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

February 24th, 2007, 4:31 AM	#14
No Boss Neener, neener, I banned your title! Joined: Oct 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 8th, 2009 Location: 'mericuh, someday the UK. Age: 24 Posts: 6,859 Car: 2005 Volvo S60 R Rep Power: 86	I read the title and all I could think of was WTF!? __________________

February 24th, 2007, 7:09 AM	#15
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 12:35 AM Location: Utah, USA Age: 28 Posts: 10,993 Car: 2006 Nissan X-Terra - 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 266	Thanks Jetsetter, I never knew that. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

February 24th, 2007, 2:04 PM	#17
un-dee I hate your sig! Joined: May 21st, 2004 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Age: 25 Posts: 1,482 Car: Mazda MX-3 Rep Power: 35	Magazines should be banned for publishing such awful photoshops.

February 24th, 2007, 3:18 PM	#18
Redliner Joined: May 19th, 2005 Last Online: 3:51 AM Location: Brazil - South America Age: 30 Posts: 5,281 Car: Fiat Palio 1.6 16v Rep Power: 113	It would be cool if they made the Sirocco prototype rear wheel drive...

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February 24th, 2007, 3:58 PM	#19
M3lover Joined: Nov 23rd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: The milkyway, Earth, Denmark, Copenhagen Age: 23 Posts: 982 Car: Pedalpower for now... Rep Power: 18	The idea is good, but the Colt / smart design let's it down completely. Hope they end up making it much flatter. __________________ Mmmhh, gotta love living in Denmark. We have 180 % tax on cars. Yep, an M3 cost about the same as a 997 Turbo does in Sweden, and sadly i'm not kidding!

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