Okay, so here we are with quite an insurgence of European supercars about to be released (i.e. Porsche Carrera GT, VW W-12....) and Road and Track gives a sneak peak at them all in this month's issue. But, while reading I got kind of confused. They have the new Lambo, still called the L-147 (it's not the canto you may have seen previously...that's done with), and they also have the W-12 which is set for debut in 2003.
What is VW doing? I mean, why are they introducing two very similar cars at the same time? Both have 12 cylinders, both have quite edgy, angular styling, and both are mid-engined. Why? Why are they saturating ONE section of the market? Sure, one's a roadster and one's a coupe...but they will both soon have variants. Are they just getting interest in each section (roadster enthusiasts here, coupe enthusiasts there) and then hoping to diversify the market later?
Personally, I think the powers that be should have taken the W-12 platform and made it into an "entry-level" Lamborghini. I mean, nothing against VW....but they're not a supercar manufacturer. That's like Chevrolet introducing a "GeoVette" or a saturn supercar (yeah, I know). It's just a contradiction. VW should leave the supercars to Lambo, Porsche, and even Audi. As for the entry-level opinion...why not? Every great supercar maker has a less expensive, less powerful model.
Ferrari: 550 and 360 (or, 512 and 355/348)
Lotus: Esprit V8 and Elise or M250
Porsche: Carrera GT/ 996 turbo and 911/ boxster
Even Honda: NSX and S2000
That's why I was so excited with the Cala concept...a less extravagant, smaller, entry level lambo...but it didn't make it.
Personally, I don't think VW is making a good move. I think it would be wiser to at least redesign the W-12 into a lamborghini, thus letting Lambo compete in the supercar (355, S2000) and ultra-supercar (550, carrera GT) markets.
Just my two cents. Any opinions? I have plenty more, but I don't want to keep typing.