VW Confirms 1L Concept Will Become Reality in 2010
Image source: Wikipedia
There’s been talk about the VW 1L concept for years. Since VW built the original, fuel economy, safety, price, and release date has been speculated upon and argued about, and I’d finally stopped thinking it was ever going to happen. However, according to VW’s CEO, it should hit the market in 2010.
The VW 1L is so named because, in theory, it only consumes one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers traveled. For those of us in the US, this translates into about 235 MPG. Definitely far and above anything on the market currently. The concept, developed in 2002, actually got better fuel economy, scoring a sweet .89L/100km in VW testing. It’s likely to use more fuel in real world use, but with that kind of mileage in testing it’s unlikely that anyone would complain about an “unsatisfactory 200 MPG.”
The thing is, that kinda of fuel economy comes at the price of riding in an extremely small two seater, with the two seats being one in front of the other, a la jet plane, rather than a standard side by side. The 1L also looks frighteningly close to the ground, which is part of how it pulls off a drag coefficient of .159, much better than any current production vehicle. While the final design isn’t done, VW will probably power the car with a 1 cyclinder diesel engine of displacement lower the .5 L, meaning the car’s speed will top out at 120 km/h.
The other obvious issue is the one I’m sure you’re all wondering about too. How safe is this thing? While I’m not usually one to complain about small cars, the 1L is extremely light and low to the ground. If it were released in the US I could easily see it being run over by any old F150 or Hummer. Nothing is out right now about safety, but as the production date nears, I’m sure VW will be doing lots of testing to reassure the public.
2010 isn’t that far off, in fact, it’s about the same time the Volt is supposed to be hitting the streets, so you’ll likely hear a lot more good and bad about this car in the coming months.
Posts Related to VW’s 1L and other Green Car Technology:
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- A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid
- The Sporty Future of Electrics Cars: the Lightning GT
- The Cleanest Cars on Earth: Honda Civic GX and Other Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs)
- Six New Technologies Will Help Manufacturers Reach the 35 MPG Goal (Without Hybrids)
- Affordable Electric Cars Coming to US in 2009
- Mercedes 40-MPG Diesel Hybrid: Cleanest SUV on the Planet
- Tesla’s First Electric Vehicle, 2008 Roadster, Now Under Production
Source: Motorauthority
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Just ship the damn 1.4 TDI Polo (70mpg) to the US. What the hell is VW waiting for?
b.zgorzelski said: “stuff”
^
Ignore this guy. I think the front-rear 2-seater with 235 mpg is very sexy and practical at the same time.
To see how practical it is, next time you are on the road, pay attention to how many cars carry only the driver.
Sorry to chime in so late but I can honestly say I’ll be in the front of the line to buy this one I think it is the perfect commuter car. I drive 100 miles a day just to and from work so the better the mpg the better. I guess I’ll put off buying a new car for a few more months till they release more info. I only hope they release it here in the US.
Corey,
I drive a 92 honda civic with 38-45 mpg. I know what you mean.
I would buy this tomorrow if it were available, not simply because the cost of gasoline is so high, but because these “fuel efficient” cars that only get 35 mpg are insulting and wasteful when you consider the technology already exists which would allow us to do much, much better. Hopefully VW will offer a waiting list prior to the sale of this car.