Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > General Efficiency Discussion
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-26-2008, 04:34 PM   #1 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 1,329
Thanks: 24
Thanked 161 Times in 107 Posts
VW Lupo crash tested by the NHTSA

One of the major barriers to bringing a foreign car into this country is having a the appropriate crash testing done for the NHTSA. It looks like VW had the Polo and Lupo crash tested for the US market and the information is on file with the NHTSA.

VW Polo report
Search Media Page
Photos
Search Media Page
Video
Search Media Page

VW Lupo report
Search Media Page
Video
Search Media Page

Mercedes A class report
Search Media Page
Video
Search Media Page

Audi A2 report
Search Media Page

Suzuki Wagon R
Search Media Page

You can search the rest of the data base here.
Query on Vehicle Database based on selected Test table parameters

Obviously theres still the matter of emissions compliance with the EPA.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-26-2008, 05:13 PM   #2 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
Sweet, nice news, ...

I've always wanted one, even though I'm not a VW fan.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 06:38 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 451
Thanks: 1
Thanked 40 Times in 26 Posts
VW Lupo: Rough road to fuel economy
old article, but at ~78 mpg, they'd sell like hotcakes in the US today if they'd pass emissions
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 06:47 PM   #4 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 1,329
Thanks: 24
Thanked 161 Times in 107 Posts
Keep in mind that the Lupo has been out of production for 3 years now. It was a huge disappointment in europe as far as sales are concerned.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 07:05 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 451
Thanks: 1
Thanked 40 Times in 26 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjts1 View Post
Keep in mind that the Lupo has been out of production for 3 years now. It was a huge disappointment in europe as far as sales are concerned.
GM/Suzuki probably want to forget the Metro...

Do you know why the Lupo didn't go over very well? I'll bet the little turbo Diesel has a cult following there like the Metro does in the US and Canada. From what little I've read, I'd buy one in a minute... which might also be the 0-60 time
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 07:21 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
tasdrouille's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mirabel, QC
Posts: 1,672

The Guzzler - '08 Hyundai Elantra GL
90 day: 33.12 mpg (US)

Got Soul? - '11 Kia Soul 2U
Thanks: 35
Thanked 86 Times in 57 Posts
Nooooo...they scraped a 3L...they could have chosen to destroy any Lupo, but they chose the most fuel efficient and most rare model...
__________________



www.HyperKilometreur.com - Quand chaque goutte compte...
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 09:20 PM   #7 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 1,329
Thanks: 24
Thanked 161 Times in 107 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by metromizer View Post
GM/Suzuki probably want to forget the Metro...

Do you know why the Lupo didn't go over very well? I'll bet the little turbo Diesel has a cult following there like the Metro does in the US and Canada. From what little I've read, I'd buy one in a minute... which might also be the 0-60 time
All Lupos were very expensive compared to their rivals because they were made in Germany. The famous Lupo 3L which everyone around here drools over made up less than 10% of production because it cost an extra $3000 over the regular model in 1999 dollars. Out of 35 lupos on EBAY.de, just 3 are the 3L model.
http://fahrzeuge.search.ebay.de/lupo...ofocusZunknown
The Lupo was replaced with the cheaper, larger, heavier Brazilian build Fox in 2005.

Last edited by tjts1; 08-26-2008 at 09:29 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 09:47 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 451
Thanks: 1
Thanked 40 Times in 26 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjts1 View Post
All Lupos were very expensive compared to their rivals because they were made in Germany. The famous Lupo 3L which everyone around here drools over made up less than 10% of production because it cost an extra $3000 over the regular model in 1999 dollars. Out of 35 lupos on EBAY.de, just 3 are the 3L model.

The Lupo was replaced with the cheaper, larger, heavier Brazilian build Fox in 2005.
So was the 3L the only model equiped with the 'economy mode' ? Sounds a littel like the Xfi

I hope the new Fox is better than the one VW of Brazil put out in the early 80's... which turned out to be a low cost (and low quality to match) version of the water pumpers VW was selling then. I had heard that from a few mechanics, the proof has been that aside from a wrecking yard, I haven't seen one in 'no-rust' California in years, yet I still see late 70's early 80's Rabbits on the road. To think I almost bought one when VW first put them out...
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 11:26 PM   #9 (permalink)
Addicted
 
bbjsw10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Findlay,OH
Posts: 555

bbjsw10 - '91 Geo Metro Xfi
90 day: 51.06 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts
I would love to have a VW, loved them since childhood. I was probably made in one for all I know.

At 78mpg I would pay the extra for it. Would kill a hybird and come in for less money too. Kinda strange transmission it has though, but cool at same time.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 11:48 PM   #10 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Surrey UK
Posts: 45
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
The Lupo didnt sell very well for a few reasons. Firstly it cost much more than other small cars of the time, it had a very small boot so that put off anyone with kids that needed the extra space for a pram in the back why would they get a lupo when the polo was almost the same car with bigger boot. also the engines came in 1L 1.4 75bhp 1.4 100bhp 1.6 GTI 1.4 diesel TDI 1.7 diesel SDI and in europe a 1.2 diesel that was the 3L

The Lupo is a tough little car its much more robust than the 106 and Saxos that were very popular at the time but they were made out of paper so they wear not a heavy.
The 1L was underpowered for the car and a 1.4 75bhp was probably not as economical as people wanted form a small car the 1.4 100bhp is more sporty and likes to be thrashed around but it kills FE The 1.4TDI was the idea engine but diesels cost more in
the first place and that defeats the object of a low cost second car.

The UK model lupo also did not have a golvebox and that must have been a huge offput to many people It was for me so i retro fitted one from a MK4 polo that had almost the same dash.

The 3L was not the same as the other lupos it had alloy doors bonnet and wings seat frames. I am unsure about the rear hatch but i am looking into it. it also had more airodynamic front bumper and a differant rear bumper. A light weight steering wheel a battery in the boot and for better weight distrobution.

just like the GTI very few parts are the same over the standard car. the GTI is closer to the 3L in that it also has alloy components where as the standard lupos are just steel.

I can tell you the standard bonnet/ hood rear hatch are very heavy.

The car was marketed in the UK as the tough little baby ( ) so i should think the strength of it was one of the main aims of the car but obviously the people that were wanting small cars were more interested in the Initial cost of the car rather than safety. The only other small car i have driven that feels as tight and strong is the Ford KA (pronounced car) and i hate to say it has better roadholding due to a stiffer body, I really didnt want to like the ford but i did so that says allot for the actual drive of the car i still dont like the look though.

Anyway as far as i know The 3L is not that hard to get hold of second hand unfortunately it was never made in left hand drive so in the UK i would say there is less than 10 probably about 4 and some look alike conversions.

The import from Europe would be quite easy if the car is cleared for the US. My dad met an American that drives a Lupo GTI i am not sure what part of the US he was from though. The 3L is a 1.2 TDI so that may be a problem.

The 1L up to 1.4s models have drum brakes on the back so if anyone was serious about Importing one i would recommend looking for a 1.4 sport model this is not the best FE engine but would be a good base for a 3L type conversion. The 1.4 8v polo engine is virtually the same but would be better on fuel than the 1.4 16V. VW Audi Seat all share engines so getting hold of them is not a problem.

As i understand it the VW type 2 camper that is still produced in brazil has a 1.4 L Total Flex at a guess i would say that is the 8V engine that was in the polo. I will loom into it

IF all the parts were converted to 3L parts the 1L may then not be such a bad option as a city car I know some people with the 1Ls have seen 50MPG

I hope that is not too much of a ramble its 4:30am here and i need sleep
If any one wants any info on the lupo just ask me.

Oh and something that people in the US will not know is the Seat Arosa is virtually the same car as the lupo the front end is the only main difference. The seat costs less and the MK2 facelift came with a better spec than the Lupo

Oh and as for the FOX IMO its total crap i would not want one. I know many other cars would go for before the FOX. I dont know for sure but i would say its not doing as well as the Lupo did i never see them on the road and they don't have many on show in the VW dealers.

Now i must get some sleep LOL

Oh one last thing the Lupo 3L was more of a concept that made it to production. I think it was an exercise to show what they could do and to win world records. VW now sell cars labeled Bluemotion they are the FE range with the bloodline from the 3l all have the defining grill block.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com