Volkswagen to build the "1-Liter" car in 2010

[mckitterick]

With fuel prices going crazy and global warming on everyone's minds, it's really exciting to see a car company step forward and offer a car like this. Tiny engine (333cc), ultra-lightweight construction (carbon-fiber skin and magnesium frame), aircraft-slick aerodynamics (passenger sits behind driver), and - get this - 235 miles per gallon (that's 1 liter of fuel per 100 km, hence the name).

Plus, I think it looks cool:

Click the image to see the story.

It looks not-unlike the enclosed design I plan for my Lil' Vehicle of Danger. Let's hope Volkswagen follows through, builds enough for demand, and sells 'em at a reasonable price!

Chris

EDIT: Click this image to see a story with lots more photos:

Comments

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

"sells 'em at a reasonable price"

Half the car at twice the price! Joking aside, it looks a cool deal. I doubt I could fit one, though. I be big guy problems...

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

A little further research mentions that VW at the prototype stage couldn't produce this type of vehicle for better than $25K. Also, top speed is 75mph (prototype) Here in NV that is the HW speed cross-state. Not too bad for a sweet little diesel.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, for people to buy them, I think they'll need to keep the price around what a Prius costs (about $25k). However, low production & high-tech construction will be pricey, so I bet it'll cost between $25k and $30k.

I'd buy one.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Why? A Yaris is 13K.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Meh, it only gets 34/40mpg. If you really want good mileage and cheap, you want a Tata Nano.

[gryphonrose.livejournal.com]

That is very cool looking--as is the Toyota Lightweight 1/X--but what's with the two-person vehicles? They need to be making these four-seaters at least, because reducing the number of vehicles on the road is always a good idea.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that Toyota Lightweight 1/X looks very nice & open-feeling, plus four seats is nice. However, if you want extreme fuel mileage (say, 235 mpg), you have to extremely limit size. I think the world needs both, because most cars are just used for commuting with one or at most two people.

[gryphonrose.livejournal.com]

See, it looked like the Toyota only had two or maybe three seats, too. And I agree that there should be some nice little one- to two-person models, but you've got have family cars as well.

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

I would definitely drive around town in that. Adorable!

[queza7.livejournal.com]

Neat, I want one! :D

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

And that people stop driving tanks that will smash them to pieces in a wreck. Stupid SUVs.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Nah, an SUV wouldn't smash it to pieces. It'd drive over it *g*

[stuology.livejournal.com]

Some semis perhaps (as long as the VW driver is good enough to miss the tires), but SUVs, mini-vans and full size pickups? Nope.

I used to drive a small (and really crappy) car, and I can't even remember how many times people about ran me over. It was a lot.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

It definitely looks cooler than the current European mini-cars. It would be great for a trip for 4 adults and two kids...oh, wait...no.

It would be a nice commuter car for non-carpoolers, or a run errands around town car as long as you aren't picking up too much stuff on your errands. It could be a carpool car for two if the back seat person doesn't mind having both people's take-to-work crap on his lap.

I wonder how well it can pull a hill?

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's very much a commuter and runabout. But it does have a big trunk in the back, too!

[stuology.livejournal.com]

All it needs is neon Tron lights.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Aw, yeah!

[verminiusrex.livejournal.com]

When they build a good 4 seater that can hold my family with enough trunk space for a weekend away, you have the car that I want.

I think there will always be a trade of speed and size for mileage. My Aspire was a pretty good in town commuter car, but sucked on the highway. But for mileage like that, I'd put up with barely reaching highway speeds and starting the car with a windup key.

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

And strangely, we're almost Aspire sized again. As soon as Kiyan is old enough to fasten himself in his own seat, we could actually use a two door.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Between that and the Volt will be a hard choice!

[fireguarder.livejournal.com]

Ye gads, it's a tiny Tucker Torpedo!!!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

You're right! Tucker was onto something....


Or perhaps a Fuller Dymaxion:

[fireguarder.livejournal.com]

Too many wheels for a Dymaxion. If you're wanting a wee Buckymobile, try this: http://www.tangotrikes.com/

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Those are SO CUTE!

[bondo-ba.livejournal.com]

I think they probably will, or something very like it... The thing is, fuel prices are NOT going to go down until someone learns to produce the stuff in a lab, in huge quantities cheaper than pulling it out of the ground!

Also, Europeans love this kind of thing, and will buy it. Don't even dream of seeing it in the US, though. US likes Hummers!