Don't ask me why, don't tell me I'm stupid, just talk to me about sporty diesels. I don't think anyone makes an actual sportscar do they? As in 2 seats, no roof etc. I'm thinking something like a BMW 330d would be as close as I could get, or maybe a Golf GTDI.

BMW 123 has 205bhp, rear wheel drive and is quite small.

bmw 330d is SUPERB… so much torque and power right from low down on the rev range – it doesn't feel like a diesel until you fill it up and realise you've averaged 49 mpg driving briskly. it just feels like a big engined straight six 🙂

BMW 335D – 286bhp

4 door or coupe

42 mpg combined

should be fast enough

Audi do a diesel TT, don't know about a a drop top version though.

Big diesel in the A4 convertible is 100% of the whooooooo!

Very, very good engine.

Maybe they'll put the Diesel R8 into production.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/spectacular_audi_r8_diesel_unveiled.html

Until then, the TT is probably the way to go unless you want a BMW 'coupe'.

Or you could be normal and get a petrol sports car.

Next you'll be saying you want an auto too…

Who wants to be normal? 🙂

Fuel economy is the reason I don't have a sports car already. So a fast car with good fuel economy and low CO2 is a win/win in my book.

Oh and I think it needs to be at least a 2+2 since we have Little Miss Molgrips to cart about. Shame the VW Eos is barely faster than a normal car.

molgrips,
2+2 + Fast + diesel = Audi A4 convertible! Fun too!

m_F, what about a nice semi-auto, flappy paddle shift? it's very good, you know!

If you want a 2+2 the the BMW 123 is perfect.

Only 5mpg worse than my 130hp diesel focus but way faster.

Actually you can fit adults in the back, but it's not what you'd call spacious.

I have the new Golf GT TDi and have owned three of the previous model. Fantastic cars, well built, nice to drive and pretty quick the newer model even more so. Economy is especially on the newer model, long drives in motorways is about 62mpg and if you take it steady you can see returns of 74mpg average day to day driving is about 58mpg it's not even run in yet so will get better too. They have the performance where you need it most in overtaking whizz by cars no problem at all. Great load luggers too not a bad amount of room in them and never effected much by weight.

How about a Wiesel?

http://westfield-world.com/pics_paulr.html

Doug

I have an Audi TT (2.0l petrol, manual short shift box).

It is a 2×2 (as long as back seat passengers are under 5ft tall) and it has very good economy – can get around 40mpg in normal conditions, around 34mpg commuting and 45mpg on a run.

And handles about 100 times better than any BMW 1 series or Golf.

Its not difficult to get big power & torque figures out of most modern diesels – I got a demo in THIS last year & its amazing!

What on earth is the idea with that Westfield? Fair enough he gets good economy, but what is a Westfield for? It is for chucking into corners – and with that thing in the front, it won't under steer, it just WON'T steer.

BMW 330d + remap = FUN!

Ibiza Cupra TDI – 160bhp with 0-60 in 7.3s, up to just over 200bhp with a re-map. Will do low 50s mpg.

Some people do stupid things with them & get over 300bhp but then you are into the realms of new turbo, intercooler, clutch, injectors…….

I have the new Golf GT TDi and have owned three of the previous model. Fantastic cars, well built, nice to drive and pretty quick the newer model even more so. Economy is especially on the newer model, long drives in motorways is about 62mpg and if you take it steady you can see returns of 74mpg average day to day driving is about 58mpg

Really? I have a 2yr old GT170 and it struggles to get above 55mpg on the motorway. Possibly one of the worst cars I have had – no end of problems – both the cam shafts and head gasket replaced, plus the ridiculous situation with the DPF which needs re-charging every so often by driving at 55mph on a dual carriageway for 10mins.

Yup really with the new one, old one was about 52mpg average a max of 58mpg and I also avoided the DPF as it's known to be shite. As or the cam shafts sounds like you got a bad one.

OK OK, this might sound daft amongst talk of beemers and audis, but if you don't want to spend that much, test drive an Astra 1.9 CDTi SRi. Its just a vauxhall, yes, but its dam good fun and it has its own little sport button.

sounds like you got a bad one

Don't I know it!

test drive an Astra 1.9 CDTi SRi. Its just a vauxhall, yes, but its dam good fun and it has its own little sport button.

Yes it does sound daft.

The 'Sport' button does nothing but alter the throttle sensitivity meaning you sound like a 17 yr old revving up when trying to park. It doesn't make it go any faster and you have to get the optional handling pack if you want it to alter the suspension/handling set-up.

The petrol Astra I had (SRi) understeered badly so I can only assume the diesel with it's much heavier unit will handle even worse.

It rattled, banged and generally under-ispired for 3 years before I could get rid of the heap of junk.

Please don't waste your money.

jimmy – Member

OK OK, this might sound daft amongst talk of beemers and audis, but if you don't want to spend that much, test drive an Astra 1.9 CDTi SRi. Its just a vauxhall, yes, but its dam good fun and it has its own little sport button.

I agree it's quite fast, but having had one as a courtesy car, then driving my Mk4 1.8T (petrol) golf GTI, both had 150 bhp, but the golf's an easy winner both from handling and acceleration. It's also surprisingly more comfortable. Not that that adds anything to which hot diseasle you should get, but I'd say the Astra would only be one for the very cash-strapped. Add to that a worrying smell of clutch every time you had to manoeuvre it on a hill…

I reckon that Westfield would handle ok – the engine is towards the middle of the car, and it's not a huge lump anyway.

Audi R15 – as diesel sportscars go, pretty impressive! 🙂

I reckon that Westfield would handle ok – the engine is towards the middle of the car, and it's not a huge lump anyway.

That's the same tractor engine as was in my M-reg escort! 🙄

Audi R15 – as diesel sportscars go, pretty impressive!

Complete with MDF spliter! 😆

the engine is towards the middle of the car, and it's not a huge lump

Ohh, I don't know, it is just behind the front wheels and we are talking relative weight – it WILL weigh more than a comparable petrol unit. I mean, it will still handle well as it is a Lotus Seven based chassis, but it can't be as good as a petrol unit simply because it weighs more and with the extra weight above and behind the steering wheels, something will give when the front end is dipping on entry into a corner…

Evo were quite impressed with the VW Bluesport concept.

Mid diesel engine, 2 seats, 178bhp, 258lb/ft

50mpg est, 113g/km co2

I have an Audi TT (2.0l petrol, manual short shift box)…….And handles about 100 times better than any BMW 1 series or Golf.

So a golf in hairdressers clothing handles 100 times better than a Golf why exactly? I'll give you lower COG…. 😆

I think a VAG 1.9 PD lump would work really well in an Elise, have seen plenty with 1.8t fitted so definitely do-able.

Only 5mpg worse than my 130hp diesel focus but way faster.

Is that actually accurate tho? I think the increased fuel economy of recent years is a lot down to the fact that manufacturers are much better at fixing the tests. My mate's Skoda Octavia TDi was meant to get 57mpg but apparently never got more than 49 with gentle driving.

I've heard that BMW are big fat liars (or Big Mileage Wishers) when it comes to the stats of those 1 series diesels.

The Golf isn't in the same league as the TT for performance tho is it? And to me it's just a hot hatch family car whereas the TT is a sportscar (just). And I'd love the Bluesport, if it were available.

VW Eos with a remap?

I'd agree with Drac – the chassic and torque on the 2.0 TDI golf is fantastic. With the practicality you get (not needing to take your bike apart), for 95% of your driving its fantastic.

So a golf in hairdressers clothing handles 100 times better than a Golf why exactly? I'll give you lower COG

Amongst other handling handling improvements such as tweeked suspension, firmer ride etc, yes. Of course a lower centre of gravity improves the handling.

It's like saying 'why does the RS Focus go quicker than a standard one?' – 'I'll give you a more powerful engine'…

And I like my hairdressers car – it goes quickly and looks beautiful.

The Golf isn't in the same league as the TT for performance tho is it

To be fair, in a straight line 0-60 there is very little in it. It is when there is a hairpin at the end of the straight that the TT would leave the Golf in the bushes. I am still stunned by the cornering of my TT some 9 months after getting it – I can barely dare go quickly enough to make the tyres squeal, never mind start to lose grip. It is not a million miles from an Elise in that way. Certainly closer to an Elise than a Golf is the the TT…

With the practicality you get (not needing to take your bike apart), for 95% of your driving its fantastic.

Hmmm! Not sure about that my Heckler needs at least one wheel taken off.

How are the servicing costs for the TT?

Anyone had a VW 2.0 TDi remapped?

Alfa Brera or Spider 2.4 JTDm? 0-60 in ~7 vmax 140mph.

Just don't expect it to be economical when 'making progress'.

Oh god, I hate Alfas.