Tokyo Motor Show - Volkswagen

Any surprises on the VW stand?
Volkswagen surprised Tokyo with its EcoRacer, a lightweight sportscar akin to a Lotus Elise. As its name implies, it’s an agile coupe-convertible mixing performance – 0-62mph in just 6.3 seconds – with parsimonious economy, averaging 83mpg.

Will I be able to buy one?
Unfortunately not. This lightweight special is a concept car and, because it uses carbonfibre to achieve its flyweight 850kg mass, it would be too expensive to build. Plus its complicated roof and windscreen, transforming the car from coupe to roadster to speedster, are too complex for production.

Oh. So what’s the point of it then?
As well as reminding us that VW can build fun small cars, the EcoRacer heralds a new range of small diesel engines. Volkswagen is dropping its ‘pumpe-duse’ injection diesels in favour of common-rail engines; the 1.5-litre TDI fitted to the Ecoracer is the first, developing an impressive 134bhp.

Allied with the lightweight plastic construction, it’s the reason the show car can travel up to 600 miles on its tiny 30-litre fuel tank.

Anything else on the VW stand?
The Golf GTI now has a little brother – the 148bhp Polo GTI, unveiled for the first time in Tokyo. Its black honeycomb grille, spoilers and chunky alloy wheels distinguish the hot hatch.

Is it quick?
The Polo GTI can sprint to 62mph in 8.2sec and is capable of 134mph. You’ll be able to buy one next spring for around £15,000.