Chattanooga: Experts, fans doubt new VW car will look like sketch

As president of the Scenic City Volks Folks car club, Brian Dempsey has seen plenty of Volkswagens before.

But Mr. Dempsey, who owns a 1967 Bus and a 1959 Euro Beetle, has never seen a VeeDub like the one in a sketch released by VW earlier this month.

“I think it has a sleek, sporty look,” he said, after studying the concept sketch of the carmaker’s NMS or new mid-sized sedan set to be built in Chattanooga in 2011.

But despite his enthusiasm, he and other group members remain as skeptical as a used-car buyer that the full-size metal and plastic version will have the same sleek lines.

“Another guy said it’s too darn nice it won’t happen,” he said.

Mark Gillies, executive editor for “Car and Driver,” said the group has reason to keep their excitement in low gear.

“My take from having seen lots and lots of designer sketches is that when they’re actually translated into metal they don’t look nearly as sexy as the drawings,” he said.

Kevin Smith, editorial director for Edmunds.com, agreed, explaining that manufacturers use the vague sketches to create excitement and generate publicity for a new model. But the sedan may share little with its two-dimensional lookalike, he said.

“They probably hope everyone forgets about this sketch by the time it gets around to production,” Mr. Smith said.

Automotive experts and enthusiasts alike said the car’s design will likely change dramatically but they add the NMS is a major departure from the bubbly Beetle or even the round edges of the Jetta or Passat.

“I couldn’t see it looking anywhere near that flamboyat just because it’s Volkswagen,” said Mike Monticello, feature editor for Road and Track. “They’re not really known for flamboyant designs.”

Hixson import car enthusiast Amanda Diegel, 21, said the sketch showed some muscle with hints of the current Ford Mustang or re-released Dodge Charger in its lines and stance.

“It reminds me of a muscle car,” said Ms. Diegel, who is a member of an online Acura group.

Even though Joe Sharp, 68, prefers old Detroit steel, he conceded the NMS is a good-looking car. He said such sketches often don’t mirror reality, even in the marketing material he has for his 1957 Chevrolet.

“It looks quite different in the brochure than it really is,” said Mr. Sharp, who is the president of Main Street Cruisers club in Cleveland, Tenn. “They’ve been doing that for years.”

Acknowledging the chance for changes, Mr. Gillies, Mr. Monticello and Mr. Smith said clues in the sketch suggest Volkswagen wants the NMS to stand out from its siblings and competitors.

“There’s probably an attempt by VW on this car to make it a bit more dramatic looking than the average family sedan,” Mr. Gillies said.

Mr. Monticello noted the sedan’s “broad shoulders” and wider appearance as well its aggressive grille and front fascia.

“The front doesn’t look very Volkswagenish,” he said.

Mr. Smith said the aggressive look continues for the length of the car, especially when put next to VW’s other rounder offerings.

“This is quite sharp edged and chisled by comparison,” he said.