Volkswagen brand Chairman Wolfgang Bernhard plans to launch two upscale niche cars within five years.

Bernhard plans a midengine, rear-wheel-drive roadster, which is modeled after the Concept R shown at the 2003 Frankfurt auto show, and a coupe-styled four-door car positioned between the Phaeton and the Passat.

The roadster and coupe are part of Bernhard's plan for 20 new vehicles in the next five years, including 10 in segments in which VW has no cars, a VW spokesman said.

Two VW insiders say Bernhard killed a production version of the roadster last year because the price of the car would have been too close to that of the Porsche Boxster, which starts at about $52,400 in Germany.

The new version is expected to be less technologically complex and cheaper to build.

The roadster "is something we want," Bernhard told Automotive News Europe. The newspaper, like Automotive News, is published by Crain Communications Inc.

The car likely would arrive "in the latter half" of the company's five-year product plant, a VW spokesman said.

The car will be aimed at Europe and overseas markets, especially the United States.

In addition, Bernhard plans to launch the coupe-styled four-door car by the end of the decade. The car is code-named the C1.

The C1 coupe would be positioned above the Golf-based, two-door Scirocco, which will arrive in 2008. Alastair Bedwell, senior manager of London-based J.D. Power-LMC, said the Concept R is in the market researcher's future product forecast as a 2009 vehicle.

VW must find a partner to help produce the roadster. Because it's a mid-engine vehicle, the Concept R does not fit the Golf IV or V platform.

According to German press reports, talks are under way with Magna Steyr as a possible partner in a joint venture. A Magna Steyr spokesman declined to comment.

Separately, VW plans to pull forward the launch date of its new Golf model to 2008, one year earlier than planned.

VW plans to lower the production costs for the new model, while keeping its price at the current level.

Volkswagen brand Chairman Wolfgang Bernhard plans to launch two upscale niche cars within five years.

Bernhard plans a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster modeled after the Concept R shown at the 2003 Frankfurt IAA, and a coupe-styled four-door car positioned between the Phaeton and Passat.

The roadster and coupe are part of Bernhard’s plan for 20 new vehicles in the next five years, including 10 in segments where VW currently has no cars, said a VW spokesman.

Two VW insiders say Bernhard killed a production version of the roadster last year because the price of the car would be too close to the Porsche Boxster, which starts at E43,333 in Germany.

But a new version is expected to be less technologically complex and cheaper to build.

The roadster “is something we want,” Bernhard told Automotive News Europe.

Although the timing of the roadster is not yet decided, it would likely arrive “in the latter half” of the company’s five-year product plan, the VW spokesman said.

The car will be aimed at Europe and North America.

In addition, a coupe-styled four-door car is on Bernhard’s list to be launched by the end of the decade. The car is code-named the C1.

The C1 coupe would be positioned above the Golf-based, two-door Scirocco, which will arrive in 2008.

Alastair Bedwell, senior manager of London-based J.D. Power-LMC, said the Concept R is in the market researcher’s future product forecast as a 2009 vehicle.

A potential problem for VW is finding a partner to help produce the roadster.

Because it is a mid-engine vehicle, the Concept R doesn’t fit any current VW brand platform.

According to the German press, talks are underway with contract manufacturer Magna Steyr as a possible partner in a joint venture.

A Magna Steyr spokesman declined comment.

Separately, VW also plans to pull forward the launch date of its new Golf model to 2008, one year earlier than originally planned.

VW plans to lower the production costs for the new model, while keeping its price at the current

level. One change will involve a cheaper rear suspension system, a VW source said.