Volkswagen’s New 300 MPG Car Not Allowed In America Because It Is Too Efficient

[niky]

I've always viewed projects like this as huge corporate vanity projects. Like the Veyron, or the Phaeton. Build the car because we can build it... not because it makes sense, or because we want to sell it, or because we can use it as a research platform... we build it just to show the world that the Volkswagen Group is so rich, successful and powerful, it can basically burn money for the hell of it.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by niky

I've always viewed projects like this as huge corporate vanity projects. Like the Veyron, or the Phaeton. Build the car because we can build it... not because it makes sense, or because we want to sell it, or because we can use it as a research platform... we build it just to show the world that the Volkswagen Group is so rich, successful and powerful, it can basically burn money for the hell of it.

I just look at it as research with a PR focus, like racing. It's one thing to know you have the resources and knowledge to build such a car and another to actually do it so that the public, the critics, and investors can see it and react to it. Those reactions from the press, potential buyers, investors, and even within the company itself are probably quite useful to the company. And it is PR, like claiming they have the "best safety ratings" or some other "best in class" claim. They can advert with it. Makes them look "green" and "advanced". But I would imagine they developed some useful knowledge, and maybe specific parts they can deploy in more common vehicles.

[NeilBlanchard]

I agree that the VW XL1 is a halo car, and it will have trickle down benefits. We've already heard about a transplant of the XL1 drivetrain into the Up!.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by niky

I've always viewed projects like this as huge corporate vanity projects. Like the Veyron, or the Phaeton. Build the car because we can build it... not because it makes sense, or because we want to sell it, or because we can use it as a research platform... we build it just to show the world that the Volkswagen Group is so rich, successful and powerful, it can basically burn money for the hell of it.

I thanked just because you brought up the Phaeton. Although, I interpreted that as a legitimate attempt at a 7 series equivalent- something they wanted to keep on the market actually take some market share. I loved it, but there are some negatives to it.

On topic, everyone seems right on. When that new Up! is out, and they start showing commercials with the two of them- it will put that image in peoples head about how efficient it is. I would have first guessed it was an exercise in their future technology, but making a car like this doesn't really help bring down the costs of it in the future. Normally it seems like that is the general plan.