New 2009 VW 1 liter concept car

[Frank Lee]

Note some of the aero changes:

no dorsal fin
did the moving engine compartment intake vent(s) go away?
less greenhouse-less solar gain and less glare in driver's eyes
less distortion (bubble) in windshield and side glass
hubcaps might be similar but styled to look less like discs; more conventional
camera pickups in regular mirror locations (if that's what those are) eh... i think those are conventional mirrors...
i don't recall V1 having those strakes under the rear end before- shouldn't say without reviewing a pic of that tho'.
wheelwell flare appears to stick out less, with less radius on aft edge (but photos can sometimes deceive too so...)

Dang it, I might have to break my "no new cars" pledge...

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

More details are out on the VW:

Volkswagen's 170 mpg car | Frankfurt Auto Show 2009 - CNET Reviews

In 2002, Volkswagen designed a concept car that could go 100 kilometers on 1 liter of fuel, equivalent to about 235 mpg. This year, Volkswagen shows off the second generation of the 1 liter concept, the L1, with the intention of production by 2013. Using an extremely light and aerodynamic body and a diesel-electric parallel hybrid power train, the new L1 falls short of its fuel efficiency goal, requiring 1.38 liters of diesel to cover 100 kilometers, or 170 mpg. Still, not bad.


The L1's cabin uses virtual rearview mirrors and instruments.
(Credit: CNET)

Volkswagen designers looked at glider design to evolve the L1 concept, resulting in a narrow body with two seats in tandem, the single passenger consigned to a rear seat. Access to the L1 is through a hinged canopy, which should inspire Top Gun fantasies for the driver. Furthering those fantasies are the camera-based rearview OLEDs, offering a 180 degree view behind the car. In keeping with the high-tech cabin, the speedometer and other instruments are all virtual. Although we didn't see a stereo in the cabin, there are volume controls on the steering wheel.

However much the cabin might inspire feelings of piloting a fighter jet, the performance will make the driver envy scooter riders. The L1 takes 14.3 seconds to get to 62 mph. However, the top speed is a reasonable 99 mph. To power the L1, Volkswagen developed a new .8-liter version of its TDI engine with only two cylinders. The driver can select between Eco and Sport modes: in the former, the engine produces 27 horsepower, while in Sport it peaks at 39 horsepower. Being a diesel, its torque is much higher, hitting 74 pound-feet at 1,900rpm.

Where Volkswagen gets really clever is incorporating a hybrid system into its seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). The DSG transmission uses two computer-controlled clutches to provide automated shifting with manual transmission performance. A 13 horsepower electric motor situated between propeller shaft and transmission supplies additional power to the car. The motor is powered by electricity from a lithium ion battery pack in the front of the car. As a hybrid, it has a start-stop system, shutting down the engine when stopped in traffic. With its 10 liter fuel tank, Volkswagen estimates a range of 416 miles.

[pgfpro]

Man that car is gorgeous!!!

I want one!!!

[gone-ot]

...hm-m-m-m, a four-wheeled, diesel-powered, enclosed, motorcycle!

[Deezler]

Man I wish I was at the Frankfort auto show! Some of the new cars and concepts are really blowing my mind. Lots of delicious posts on autoblog.

I like the evolution of this car. Lower mpgs, yes, but so much more practical.

Why do they still call it the 1L car though? 38% more fuel consumption than your target (and vehicle name!) is not insignificant.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The on non-trivial thing that they need to change (IMO) is the canopy entry. This is inconvenient in inclement weather, and unsafe because you could be trapped in a rollover. They also do not appear to have operable side windows.

But I agree -- it's a gorgeous car! Hopefully the cost of construction is come all the way down from unobtanium to say ~$20K?

[Frank Lee]

Eh... come to think of it, they've loaded it up with infamous VW electrics... BAH!

Guess I'll have to build my own.

[ZeroFuel]

VW did a great job, but what is cost?

We project our tandem to sell for 15K or less.

http://www.zerofuel.org/images/zf-2-tandem-rear.jpg

[orange4boy]

That is truly awesome!

Beautiful aero.

Now MAKE the damn thing.

[robchalmers]

I think it'll be a limited production deal probably a back room at wolfsburg job.

would have loved to have been there, i have a ticket but couldn't get time off/flights/hotel