Volkswagen will unveil roadster concept at the LA Auto Show

In July we reported that Volkswagen will unveil an affordable mid-engined sports car. A preview will be shown in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show and if the public reaction is positive, the new car could be in showrooms by 2011.

The new car has been designed by Walter de’ Silva, Volkswagen’s lead designer responsible for cars such as Audi’s TT and A5. The new car is described as a cut-rate Lotus Elise, designed to be stylish and lightweight while offering genuine sporty performance in combination with class-leading fuel economy. Volkswagen will offer a wide range of engines, including a 170-hp, 1.4-liter Twincharger TSI gasoline engine and a new 125-hp, 1.6-liter TDI common-rail diesel engine.

The new coupe and roadster are based on a mid-engine layout with rear-wheel drive. To keep weight down and performance strong, Volkswagen is said to have tapped Audi for expertise in aluminum-spaceframe construction.