Look, it's a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the
Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first).
But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated
E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What's odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the "most fuel-efficient automobile in the world," but at 170MPG, you'd think the suits at Chevy would
have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we'll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.
posted Sep 18th 2009 5:33AM
Why does it look like the original Honda Insight?
Did someone look at a 1930's World's Fair book of the future to find out what we should be driving in the 21st Century or something?
It looks a lot more like the Saturn EV1 than an insight to me, but both look that way because they are low drag. Perhaps the rear wheels are what you're looking at? Or the Prius-like downslope on the hatchback? They all look like this now.
Sadly, concept cars have to look like they are from tron or people don't think they are interesting. Production cars often can't have that kind of styled panel at low cost. Industrial engineers have to find a way to make the product work on an assembly line, so we won't get the coolest looking cars unless we're willing to pay (Tesla prices) for them.
It's what's under the hood that matters. Mainly weight and battery.
I think this is the perfect aerodynamic shape so every efficient car maker that wants to get as close to it as possible.
One word for someone who would drive this - douchy
SLEEPER!!!
Perhaps that is the new vehicle that will be manufactured in the new factory being built in Chattanooga, TN.
Very unlikely it'll be built in TN, the entire body is carbon-fiber and weighs 838 lbs. Carbon-fiber needs to be built by hand and autoclaved, if they ever build this it'll likely be made alongside their other endeavors that already have the necessary technicians and equipment that handle carbon-fiber at hand.
But I doubt it'll ever be built. Carbon-fiber bodies are still incredibly expensive. Beyond price, there is practicality and safety to consider. This car has low-viability like a bob-sled.
You'll be sitting a few feet off the ground:
http://jalopnik.com/5362106/vw-l1-is-fun-to-watch-people-get-out-of
In real-world driving conditions this is a problem not only for driver sharing the road with SUVs and semitucks, but also from a visibility standpoint from the other drivers who won't be able to see you driving up next to them- especially if this vehicle is coming up by your blind-spot and you're in an vehicle with a high ride height. Also, with a 36-hp engine, this vehicle will likely get in the way of other vehicles.
In addition to that, at 838 lbs, this vehicle weighs around the weight of a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. In an accent there are some very serious implications to a vehicle this light and this low to the ground. Getting into an accident with a SUV will likely mean the vehicle going over this vehicle.
Except, IIRC, one of the points VW was making with this concept was that they had figured out a way to much more cheaply make stuff in CF...
@bhtooefr
Well, the point I was trying to make was that beyond price there are serious practical problems - like riding around in a 39hp 800-pound vehicle that in lower to ground then your knees.
There have been advancements in CF manufacturing, but not due to VW, but due to CF manufacturers like Toray, Mitsubishi-Rayon, Schunk, etc. They are still largely a labor-intensive and expensive process. VW could build a couple cars as a PR move, but it won't be anything more then a novelty and still cost more then two decades worth of diesel.
I was really just joking and using it for an opportunity to give a shout out to my city.
but thanks for the info, very informative.
Please start making the cars look like the concept models.
The new BMW concept car is way better than this one.. at least it looks better..
I like the front half.
It may ship only the front half... the back half is just to keep the front half balanced.
This car is a fail.
The car is already smoking during test shots.
Made me have a double take :P
ugly looking
I'd still hit that!
What the heck are you meant to do if your back tyre gets a puncture?
You're not supposed to worry about it.
If your rear TIRE went flat though, I'm sure you can pop the paneling off and swap it.
Looks like the old Maserati Citroen in the back. Also loks like it could transform into a flying car :)
this car is not a plug-in hybrid. so it doesn't need electricity. it only needs a little diesel and you can drive and use it just like your car does now.
they should make new rules about mileage that also includes the amount of Watts the car uses. that way people can't say all-electric vehicles are "zero-emission".
i agree
also, finally, someone thought of making a hybrid with a diesel motor.. most 4 cylinder diesel motors on their own already get the same fuel efficiency as a regular hybrid
Wattage ratings, fine, but you shouldn't try to stop people from labeling a car as "zero emissions." If you get the power from a clean source, such a car will not emit anything. The point of "zero emissions" is that use of the car itself is not causing ADDITIONAL emissions.
Actually, they (WHO ARE THEY) should force all car companies to adhere to a 30 mpg standard.
No regular person needs a Humvee, or a Durango, or some ridiculous car which anounces a man's inadequacy and its automotive symbolic compensation.
The problem here is that Americans won't accept a diesel.
Wait, you think driving a Hummer means you have a small penis? Can I therefore conclude that you believe men driving little girly cars are packing big, thick sausages?
Excuse me while I have a good laugh at your expense...
@nuts Agree, looks very much like they traced over the old Citroen SM
http://www.netcarshow.com/citroen/1972-sm/800x600/wallpaper_02.htm
Especially the way they have the rear wheels enclosed.
True, the SM was very aerodynamic.
But with a car so focused on weight I wonder how the MPG varies depending on who drives it.
Under normal driving it actually does 240 mpg
http://autos.yahoo.com/auto-shows/frankfurt_auto_show_2009/1106/Volkswagen-L1-Concept;_ylt=Aq.bms8WYiiRCoI7Qb3Y15WCfNdF
Will it pull a caravan?
No, but might be intresting as a camper version. :)
The measurements are about same as 1 man tent.
Need just to readjust seats, and add some padding.
Oh, and I would buy one. Doesnt even have to be a camper.
And how many concept cars have actually survived to production while staying the same vehicle?
Fugly = L1
my bet is that the LHC ends up getting delayed until 2012... it fits perfectly.
1) are there actually doors or do we climb in thru the window?
2) Way to keep perpetuating those tired 2012 memes, Engadget.
Step up one level and forget hybrids, plug-ins, diesels, etc.
Happy motoring = fail.
im tired of this stuff. It will never come out or look like that. Just LOOK at the Chevy VOLT CONCEPT and then the final version. WEAK SAUCE
FYI: The following shows the 2002 VW that averaged 317.4 miles per gallon http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/5977969/VWs-300mpg-supercar-takes-shape.html
Where is the flux capacitor?
Come on, that thing is never going to hit the streets looking like that. Whatever comes out will look exactly like every other sedan on the market or will be just plain ugly.
Uhh this concept itself is pretty ugly
If VW tries to market that thing here in the U.S., IT WILL FAIL.
Just look at the first-generation Honda Insight-- It was also a high-MPG 2-seater, and it sold miserably compared to the Toyota Prius.
Any wonder why Honda redesigned the Hindsight (LOL) into a 5-seater for its 2010 re-launch?
The Prius will still beat the crap out of that VW L1 if they try to sell it here.
you know the germans always make good stuff
OMG, I'd buy one of these in a second if it used Toyota's HSD. But it'll be a cold day in hell before VW licenses that.
I think they should make the whole thing out of carbon fiber that would look sick. Or maybe they'll have some parts at carbonfiberhoods.net for it when it comes out that would be kinda crazy.
thats more than crazy efficient, thats crazy. I kind of like the back wheel arch being closed off but it does look 1950's.
http://www.vwsale.co.uk