The 2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster should be a fun and efficient vehicle at an affordable price. The Volkswagen Concept BlueSport is shown here. See more pictures of concept cars.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster

It seems VW's long-promised sports car will finally happen. Patterned on the recent BlueSport concept, the mid-engine 2-seat ragtop shapes up as affordable driving fun with high mpg and low emissions. Too bad it's some four years away.

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.

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 will likely change before 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 R3. Ditto Porsche, now VW Group's largest shareholder, which is said to be eyeing a new entry-level car below the Boxster.

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• C­onsumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
• Volkswagen: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
• Sporty/Performance Cars: The 2013 Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster will compete in the sporty/performance car class. Here's Consumer Guide's roundup of all the sporty/performance cars on sale today.
• 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners:
  Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
• Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.