VW planning 117 mpg smart-killer?
We expect that Volkswagen will be debuting its up! subcompact car sometime in 2011, but we're now hearing that it's not the smallest car that the German automaker has on its mind. VW would use a shortened version of its up! microcar platform for the diminutive new city car. Being smaller than the already mini NSF platform of the up! would make this machine a two-seater like the fortwo from German rival Daimler. VW would like its small 1.0-liter three cylinder diesel engine to make about 50 horses and use just 2-liters of fuel every 100 kilometers, which is more than 100 miles per gallon. 117.6 to be exact.
Unlike the smart forwo, which has its engine in the back driving the rear wheels, the competitor from VW would use a front engine and front-wheel drive platform. Earlier in the year, we heard that Volkswagen was still working on its tandem-seat 1L car as well. If that's true, this new smaller up! variant would slot somewhere between that 235 mpg wonder-machine and its larger (to use the term in the technical sense) NSF-based brother. BMW is also hard at work on a city car that could revive the old Isetta brand.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via The German Car Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
oldraven 9:13AM (11/06/2008)
I may as well ask on the green side too.
So, is this in addition to the VW one-litre being developed, or is it just more news on the same car. VW confirmed they're working on bringing the one-litre concept to life, about four months ago or more.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/vw-1-liter-eco-friendly-car-set-to-make-a-return/
Reply
Woodenbee 9:26AM (11/06/2008)
That's exciting I was wondering when VW would get more eco cars out, but as usual they're taking their time and doing it right, the new diesels should keep us happy for a while, and bless em for breaking with the big oil fatwa on diesel consumer cars in the US, its just odd that more diesel cars aren't available here. And as we all know diesel hybrids would wipe the floor with any gas hybrid on the road now,
Reply
Luke 10:17AM (11/06/2008)
as usual they're taking their time and doing it right
They really didn't get the automatic transmission right on my 2001 VW Jetta GLS TDI. It finally worked after the 5th replacement... It's a good thing I kept my Ford Ranger around, since I put just as many commuting and highway miles on it as I did on the Jetta while I owned it. The TDI really is my favorite car -- ever. But, like owning a
motorcycle, owning one is not for everyone.
Thankfully, I moved in with my long-distance girlfriend -- so I don't need a high-efficiency highway cruiser anymore. :-)
Woodenbee 4:00PM (11/06/2008)
Yes VW's supply chain is probably a bit stretched at this point, so no telling where those tranny's came from, VW's only work well for you if you are gentle with them, I knew a chick who was given a Volvo 240 and wanted a dually pickup, so she proceeded to destroy this volvo, which I know is an awesome car, anyway thats kind of off the point but maybe driving style had something to do with it, Fords are generally over powered so the components are built with that in mind, whereas VW's traditionally have been built to meet the output of the engine, driven normally and no more, maybe they didn't account for the extra torque of the diesel engine? that would strain the tranny over time, anyway sounds like the exception that proves the rule, my six speed manual isnt perfect, I'm sure my attempts at standing starts and other peoples have messed up first and second, so I just allow a second or so between shifts and its smooth as butter, but if I try to be quick with it, crunch, grind, like I said be gentle
Reply
bhtooefr 2:16PM (11/08/2008)
Nope, the "01M" transmission used in his 2001 Jetta *WAS* the "fixed" version, they just can't design a 4-speed automatic transmission worth a crap. 2004-2005 Jetta and 2004-2006 Golf TDIs got a Nissan 5-speed automatic. 2004-2006 New Beetle and 2005.5-present Jetta TDIs got the 6-speed DSG.
Just get a manual transmission, they really are more reliable...