Notable eco-cars (old & new) spotted in the wild: post your pics! - Page 55 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MetroMPG · 07-02-2014, 02:42 PM

I think those are rental EV thingers that tourists can rent to take planned-route tours around the city.

elhigh · 07-02-2014, 04:12 PM

That might not be an EV. We used to see those around Gatlinburg a few years back. That and some rental scooters; I think the scooters idea died away because I kept seeing people fail to negotiate the turns.

The little 3-wheeler rental probably went toes-up on clutch replacement; the stock engine is 150cc as I recall. Pair that with typically buffet-friendly American tourists and our mountainous terrain, you could smell the clutches cooking up and down the block.

cptsideways · 07-02-2014, 06:30 PM

Spotted a VW XL1 out loose around the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend gone. My word its a tiny tiny thing in reality, it followed me up the driveway & disappeared behind the car I was driving

To be be honest most things disappear behind a RR Phantom though! (It's not mine!!)

MetroMPG · 07-02-2014, 06:52 PM

I agree - I think a lot of people would be shocked at how small the VW is in person.

So... does a Phantom do engine-off coasting very well?

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr · 07-02-2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange4boy

Spotted in San Francisco. No idea what it is, other than hilarious.

Nice trike. In Uruguay there were a few of those, with some scooter engine and CVT, alongside an electric version. They were made in China. Anyway, that black Volkswagen T4 van is also cool.

niky · 07-03-2014, 12:46 AM

I'd think those would have a 50cc with a CVT... the older ones used for rental did, at least.

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr · 07-03-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niky

I'd think those would have a 50cc with a CVT...

Makes sense, since it would make them qualify as a moped in some countries where they could be driven without a driver license.

niky · 07-03-2014, 10:55 PM

Yup. That's pretty much the idea behind the tourist trikes, I think.

benphyr · 07-04-2014, 07:18 AM

Check out the background recumbent bicycle:
Fuel cost= ...fries with that?

(or less if your eating practices are as eco as your fuel practices.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

A friend has the diesel FourTwo and says "It's great having the diesel, even if you thrash it like I do and hit the limiter at 130-140km/h every day you still get great mileage. The difference between diesel and gas is that diesel you take a tiny hit for driving like I do, with gas you burn twice as much."

Think what a boat tail on that brick shape might do, not to mention the increase in storage space!

-Benphyr

RedDevil · 07-04-2014, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benphyr

Think what a boat tail on that brick shape might do, not to mention the increase in storage space!

Imagine driving around looking for a parking spot in a busy town, and at last you see a car pull out, but you have to pass that space as your Smart is too large for it... !