Frankfurt Preview: Volkswagen 1-liter concept, 158 mpg (U.S.) tandem 2-seater
Ono of the numerous cars that will shown by Volkswagen this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the latest edition of the 1-liter concept. The name represents the amount of fuel it takes the vehicle to travel 100 km (62 miles) and nominally equates to 235 mpg. In this case, based on the translation of a Bild am Sonntag article, it appears that VW might be taking some liberties with the name since it seems like it takes 1.49 liters / 100 km or a mere 157.8 mpg (U.S.). For all practical purposes, the difference is largely inconsequential anyway since so little fuel is used at these lofty levels.
The original 1-liter concept appeared in 2002 and was enormously expensive since it was largely made of one-off unobtanium. This time around, VW used more conventional components and materials to create the tandem two-seater. A 36 hp two-cylinder diesel provides propulsion along with some indeterminate degree of hybridization through a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Weight is cut to about 1,100 pounds through extensive use of carbon fiber composites and the tandem layout helps cut frontal area to a minimum, reducing drag. In the past, VW has said it would like to have a 1-liter car in production by 2010, but we don't know the current status of those plans yet. Thanks to Paul for the tip!
[Source: Bild am Sonntag]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric Veltman 3:36PM (9/13/2009)
Very futuristic looking car, would love to ride one of these.
From what I read on the Dutch 'AutoWeek' site, this car isn't going in production, they'll use the lessons learnt from this concept to make improvements on their regular models.
At first I was a bit angry about that, but I guess it's the wise thing to do from a business perspective. Not many people (not even I) would buy one of these, because it's not as versatile as a regular car. A regular car can be used for everything from the daily commute to cargo hauling and big-family-holidays. That's not the case with this one. And it's going to cost too much to buy one car for commuting and another one for the other uses.
Something I do see a future for: Further evolution of the bicycle for commuting. If you look at the velomobiles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oSMCxFSrM0) available today, combine that with electric assist and mass production, many people could buy one and leave the car at home for the daily commute. Would need some changes in the infrastructure though. Perhaps just much lower speed limits near and in cities. Don't see much problems in that, because in many cities bicycles are faster than cars anyway.
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Chris M 7:36PM (9/13/2009)
Better looking than the original 1 Liter concept, and probably a bit more comfortable, too.
They'd sell well if they could get the price below $14,000, but I suspect the production costs would be more than twice that much! Maybe if they used the same design but made of less exotic materials, it would be heavier and not quite as fuel efficient, but come in at an affordable price.
naturalyshocked 4:09PM (9/13/2009)
indeed a nice car.
i would use a car like that to drive to work eachday and keep the bigger family car locked up for the weekend.
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Pudgie 4:12PM (9/13/2009)
For more than a year, I've been hearing about the 117 MPG Chico that they are allegedly working on. When are we going to see a concept version of that?
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locoyocal 4:43PM (9/13/2009)
finally an 1000lb car. Odds are it will be their EV.
If its EV they can take out the steering wheel from the cabin also.
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jpm 6:48PM (9/13/2009)
Love the design! Looks good. Similar to EV1.
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Carlos 7:14PM (9/13/2009)
At the same time they are boycotting the electric car in Europe, I've always been an owner of VW but this can be allowed, his attitude in the European Union is worse than the oil companies at the time of the EV1.
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Mark Kiernan 7:42PM (9/13/2009)
I hope you mean the automakers were boycotting electric cars in Europe, as the general public are quiet open to the idea. I think also you need to separate the German automakers from the French, as VW, Porsche, Merc and Audi are pro-diesel, Renault and Peugeot are releasing (even produced in the past) EVs.
ale 7:38PM (9/13/2009)
heres a good tip, it'll be three to five years away from the news printed date...
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Jon M 10:44PM (9/13/2009)
"finally an 1000lb car."... uh... Ariel Atom anyone?
I would buy one. I would prefer the tandem seating... keep that woman from side-seat driving!! I would take a 1-liter over just about anything else out there... a carver, a tesla, tango, volt, etc. Rather than getting more complicated by using batteries and such, it just tries to make itself the most aerodynamic, light, and small-engined vehicle it can be... and gets some pretty cool side-benefits as well. My only hesitation would be that its a VW... and I hate VW's because of their unreliable nature. Make it a Honda or Toyota, and it would sell like hot cakes. Heck, even a BMW... if it were a BMW or mini... it would sell like hot cakes.
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Snowdog 7:04AM (9/14/2009)
I am a big proponent of this class of lightweight vehicles. We probably need regulation changes to make this kind of ultra efficient vehicle possible in North America.
You could likely build something like this affordably, with normal materials within about 1200 lbs if it wasn't literally weighed down with excessive safety regulations.
I could get buy with a car like this and would buy one.
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PabloKoh 10:18AM (9/14/2009)
It seems to meet the needs of a suburban 25-30 mile commute perfectly. Build it!
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FitFan 11:31AM (9/14/2009)
Cool!
If they could mimic the design of the rear seats on the honda fit so it folds flat without removing the headrest then that would be a perfect city car.
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