Volkswagen Concept R to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Sep 3, 2003 – In many ways it would be correct to describe the VW Concept R as a surprise. Volkswagen is not the most prolific purveyor of concept cars. Chicco (1975) and Student (1983) are two highlights. The 1986 Scooter was interesting for those of us who regard three wheels as more than enough. And of recent memory we have the mighty Noah from Frankfurt 1995, the underwhelming Concept D (later Phaeton) at Frankfurt 1999, and the unique form language of the Magellan (Detroit 2001).

On the other hand, for VW to present a pocket-Boxster prototype at this year’s Frankfurt exhibition is totally logical. Today a producer must have one model in each segment, and preferably some between the established segments. This car, and with a name like Concept R it sound like it is being made ready for production, will be an interesting competitor in the Mature Roadster marketplace.

The Frankfurt version is equipped with the 3.2 V6 engine that powers so many other funmobiles from the VW family. But a total length of 4160 mm (nearly 200 mm shorter than a Boxster) and a weight of just over 1000kg (with this engine – 300 kg below that of the junior Porsche) does not demand the 265hp delivered by this engine. Many of VW's other drivelines will certainly be avaliable so that a real budget-racer could be on offer.

There are three prominent lines that form the silhouette of the concept R: The two prominent wheelarches and the bodyside shoulder line sweeping down at the rear, with the body surfaces 'stretched' between these. The lines defining the grille also sweep back to wrap around the cabin. The design team was led by Murat Günak (Volkswagen Brand Group) and Peter Schreyer (Volkswagen). The ex-Audi design boss seems to have had a big say in this design (look at the sides of the car and the surface treatment – even if the air intakes, the big exhaust at the rear and the unconventional lights do not exactly shout Bauhaus).

The interior operating elements and displays, and parts of the steering wheel, are finished in polished aluminium, while the instrument panel cross member is covered in dark leather. The two bucket seats of the concept R are no longer adjustable. Instead of the seat, the driver moves the polished aluminium operating and information block of the instrument panel, including steering wheel and pedal cluster.

There are a lot of busy details here when you look closely, but together with the paintwork, called ”Frozen Dark” and all the polished aluminum in the cockpit I guess the final verdict will end somewhere between funky and cool. It is not unreasonable to expect this car at the dealers by 2005. Let’s hope VW follows the TT-tradition with a minimum of interference from concept to production.

	Volkswagen Concept R to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show by Jon Winding-Sørensen
	Click for larger images	Sep 3, 2003 – In many ways it would be correct to describe the VW Concept R as a surprise. Volkswagen is not the most prolific purveyor of concept cars. Chicco (1975) and Student (1983) are two highlights. The 1986 Scooter was interesting for those of us who regard three wheels as more than enough. And of recent memory we have the mighty Noah from Frankfurt 1995, the underwhelming Concept D (later Phaeton) at Frankfurt 1999, and the unique form language of the Magellan (Detroit 2001). On the other hand, for VW to present a pocket-Boxster prototype at this year’s Frankfurt exhibition is totally logical. Today a producer must have one model in each segment, and preferably some between the established segments. This car, and with a name like Concept R it sound like it is being made ready for production, will be an interesting competitor in the Mature Roadster marketplace. The Frankfurt version is equipped with the 3.2 V6 engine that powers so many other funmobiles from the VW family. But a total length of 4160 mm (nearly 200 mm shorter than a Boxster) and a weight of just over 1000kg (with this engine – 300 kg below that of the junior Porsche) does not demand the 265hp delivered by this engine. Many of VW's other drivelines will certainly be avaliable so that a real budget-racer could be on offer. There are three prominent lines that form the silhouette of the concept R: The two prominent wheelarches and the bodyside shoulder line sweeping down at the rear, with the body surfaces 'stretched' between these. The lines defining the grille also sweep back to wrap around the cabin. The design team was led by Murat Günak (Volkswagen Brand Group) and Peter Schreyer (Volkswagen). The ex-Audi design boss seems to have had a big say in this design (look at the sides of the car and the surface treatment – even if the air intakes, the big exhaust at the rear and the unconventional lights do not exactly shout Bauhaus). The interior operating elements and displays, and parts of the steering wheel, are finished in polished aluminium, while the instrument panel cross member is covered in dark leather. The two bucket seats of the concept R are no longer adjustable. Instead of the seat, the driver moves the polished aluminium operating and information block of the instrument panel, including steering wheel and pedal cluster. There are a lot of busy details here when you look closely, but together with the paintwork, called ”Frozen Dark” and all the polished aluminum in the cockpit I guess the final verdict will end somewhere between funky and cool. It is not unreasonable to expect this car at the dealers by 2005. Let’s hope VW follows the TT-tradition with a minimum of interference from concept to production.