Concept R by Volkswagen, Germany

2005: Germany.

Full Size Vehicle on Display at Michelin Challenge Design™

Description:

The design team, led by Murat Günak (Volkswagen Brand Group) and Peter Schreyer (Volkswagen Brand), shows with the roadster concept R how a sports car packed with aesthetics and emotion could look in the foreseeable future with the internationally successful “VW” label. The 4.16 meter long, 1.78 meter wide and just 1.25 meter high two-seater has a convincingly powerful body and an interior that conquers virgin territory in terms of style in every detail.

The great sharpness in design, seen from every angle, combined with outstanding functional solutions indicates what the Brand has in store for the future and also a possible involvement in the world of real and genuine sports cars. Propulsion for the concept R comes from a V6 mid-engine; It returns 195 kW / 265 brake horsepower and accelerates the roadster in 5.3 seconds to 100 km/h. If the propelling power was not governed to 250 km/h, in theory, the top speed would be 270 km/h. The engine torque (350 Newton meters at 2,800 rpm) is transferred to the road via a spectacular Volkswagen direct selection gearbox (DSG / 6-speed) and rear axle. Chosen consciously to provide a contrast, the designers applied color to the exterior and interior: Frozen sky paint finish, dark earth interior leather.

The basis for the highly dynamic exterior design forms a very clear linear structure, which distinguishes all of today’s Volkswagens. But these lines are set sharper than ever and, with a new appearance, frame extremely exciting and well formed surfaces. This new three dimensionality in the important body elements forms, with the virtuosity of a concept bearing the slogan “anything is possible”, a path to tomorrow’s foreseeable world. The concept R continues where the Phaeton, Touareg, New Beetle Cabriolet and Golf make their mark to further enhance dynamics and emotion with crystal clear structures and functional levels by placing itself ahead without compromise as a forerunner of Volkswagen design.