VW 1 Litre, different look

[Geebee]

If they put that into mass prodution even if they had to comprimise the milage a touch it should be able to be produced at a very low cost ie. sub $10.000, then we might see a shift in driving taste etc.

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hiya,

Here's a better looking version, that says it will be produced in 2010:
dealership-car: VW to produce 235mpg car for 2010

Plastic and magnesium (not carbon fiber like the prototype) and a 300cc engine, for 235mpg (not 283 of the prototype) -- produced in limited quantities.

These must all be fake, since I've seen that picture many times, but without the ugly blue car on it,

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hiya,

Here's a better looking version, that says it will be produced in 2010:
dealership-car: VW to produce 235mpg car for 2010

Plastic and magnesium (not carbon fiber like the prototype) and a 300cc engine, for 235mpg (not 283 of the prototype) -- produced in limited quantities.

This image dates back to July, 2007.
Preview: VW’s 235MPG project - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots
Carbon fiber would still make up the tub with a plastic body. I don't know where the magnesium goes, but you have no idea how expensive it is. $$$
$31K-47K (I expect closer to the higher number) is a lot for a car with a top speed of 72 mph. They're talking about adding hybrid technology to aid drivability and low end acceleration. They're asking a 300 cc engine to push a 660 lb (empty) vehicle. Aerodynamics aside, trying to accelerate an 800+ lb (w/driver) vehicle would take some serious help. Now add a lardass passenger like me. You'll time this thing with a calendar instead of a stopwatch. BTW, the hybrid will weigh even more.

This is the ultimate niche car that does only one thing really well: get great fuel mileage on flat ground at (barely) highway speeds. A fun exercise for the guys down at the prototype shop that got out of control.

[Sean T.]

uh... did anyone else notice that the passengers are twins?

[tjts1]

What a death trap.

[wumpus]

Originally Posted by SuperTrooper

This image dates back to July, 2007.
Preview: VW’s 235MPG project - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

This is the ultimate niche car that does only one thing really well: get great fuel mileage on flat ground at (barely) highway speeds. A fun exercise for the guys down at the prototype shop that got out of control.

First, 300cc isn't that small for a motorcycle (it is small for one in the states). The darling of beginners, the ninja 250cc, has considerable acceleration to highway speeds, and can go 100mph (note this is using a 20 year old engine, not the new EFI outside the US). The VW1l should have sightly slower acceleration (slow for a bike, fast for a high mileage car) and a much higher top speed. Look at that thing again, and tell me that Cd x frontal area is more than 1/10th a 3.0l (3000cc) car. That thing is *small*, and should have no trouble going to the VW limit of 150(?)mph.

As far as I know, magnesium is pretty cheap (similar to steel, lots cheaper than aluminum). The catch is that once you include enough to match the strength of steel, you've used the weight of steel and spent more...

I won't argue that this is a gimmick car (or an overpriced motorcycle). As mentioned, the ninja gets ~70mpg for 3.5k (new) (talk about diminishing returns). As far as safety, wear a helmet, and don't pretend it isn't a fancy motorcycle.

[c0da]

Originally Posted by tjts1

What a death trap.

And motorcycles aren't? At least you have protection from the weather elements in this. It looks fun riding in this bobsled.

[Hasbro]

Originally Posted by tjts1

What a death trap.

Safety features include simulated crash tests, front crush zone with crush tubes that leave the footwell unaffected, safety belts, airbag, rollover protection, 4-wheel disk brakes and antilock braking system (ABS), low center of gravity and electronic stability program (ESP), rearview video cameras, parking brake, electronic door lock, LEDs for interior illumination at night, and remote keyless entry. The safety standard of the Volkswagen 1-Liter Car is equivalent to that of a GT race car.

^ This is 6 year old technology. Rest assured the car has been improved upon since then.

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by wumpus

First, 300cc isn't that small for a motorcycle (it is small for one in the states). The darling of beginners, the ninja 250cc, has considerable acceleration to highway speeds, and can go 100mph (note this is using a 20 year old engine, not the new EFI outside the US). The VW1l should have sightly slower acceleration (slow for a bike, fast for a high mileage car) and a much higher top speed. Look at that thing again, and tell me that Cd x frontal area is more than 1/10th a 3.0l (3000cc) car. That thing is *small*, and should have no trouble going to the VW limit of 150(?)mph.

As far as I know, magnesium is pretty cheap (similar to steel, lots cheaper than aluminum). The catch is that once you include enough to match the strength of steel, you've used the weight of steel and spent more...

I won't argue that this is a gimmick car (or an overpriced motorcycle). As mentioned, the ninja gets ~70mpg for 3.5k (new) (talk about diminishing returns). As far as safety, wear a helmet, and don't pretend it isn't a fancy motorcycle.

The article says they expect it to "reach" 120km/h, which converts to 72 mph. It comes down to how fast can you spin a diesel? Maybe 3K rpm. The Ninja twin makes its power by turning 11K+ rpm and is pushing a vehicle that weighs half the VW. The single cylinder diesel in the prototype made 8.5 hp and 13.5 lb/ft of torque. For reference the Ninja makes 36 hp and 18 lb/ft torque. Torque provides acceleration and horsepower provides top speed. Both have 6 speed transmissions, so top speed on the VW is sacrificed to provide "adequate" acceleration.

It's gonna be sloooooow.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hiya,

Yeah, it may have to pushed to go as fast as we normally drive. Whatever -- it gets 235mpg fer cryin' out loud!

The Loremo weights about twice as much as the Liter car (prototype, anyway), and it is due to have two choices of diesels: a 20HP, 157mpg version that gets 150+mpg, and a 50HP, 85mpg version. The former goes from 0-60 in ~17-20 seconds, and the latter goes from 0-60 in ~10 seconds. Oh, the Loremo seats 2 adults and 2 kids/small adults.