Volkswagen to produce 1-Liter car in 2010, should get over 200MPG

Engadget ^ | 5/9/08 | Darren Murph

[dangerdoc]

Although you can definitely pre-order an Aptera if you're okay with space-aged design, Volkswagen is hoping to provide another option for those looking for ridiculous MPG and a little bit of normalcy in construction. Okay, so maybe the 1-Liter isn't exactly standard fare -- with its plastic / magnesium shell and all-glass roof -- but at least it packs four whole wheels and an iconic VW badge, right? According to Motor Authority, the automaker will be producing said vehicle and pushing it to market as early as 2010, and while the minuscule engine will only take you to 75MPH, it will still seat two people -- one in front of the other, though -- and get around 235MPG. No word on a price or any of that good stuff, but we're hearing that they'll only be produced in "limited numbers" whenever they're launched.

[newgeezer]

And if you hit anything with this vehicle, you will die instantly.

When your time is up, nothing you're sitting in is going to save you.

[goodwithagun]

How will it hold up to a crash like my 12/18 mpg Titan? Thanks, but no thanks. I will gladly pay the price at the pump for peace of mind about my family.

[B Knotts]

Actually, in this context, what they mean is 1 liter per 100 km, which is about 235 mpg. The displacement of the engine in this vehicle will likely be much less than 1 liter.

[Waverunner]

If it would use ethanol, Then you can just claim the Jugs is full of fuel.

[Vroomfondel]

Assuming you're not kidding, I'm assuming that one liter refers to the engine displacement. I couldn't help visualizing a pop bottle with wheels, either.

No, it actually refers to the target amount of gas consumption over a specific range. The design goal was to use 1L of gas for 100 kilometers or somesuch; I forget the details.

The prototype actually beat the target.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Heck, why not put wings on it! Fly or drive...

The Transition® is being designed to be a factory certified Light-Sport Airplane. Two seats, side-by-side. GTOW: 1320 lbs (600 kg) Useful Load: 550 lbs (250 kg) Fuel Capacity: 20 gal (120 lbs / 54 kg) Engine: 100 hp Rotax 912 S (four-stroke) Vs = 45 kts (51 mph, 83 km/hr) Vr = 70 kts (80 mph, 130 km/hr) Cruise Speed (75% power): 100 kts (115 mph, 185 km/hr) Fuel Consumption (75% power): 4.5 gph Range: 400 nm (460 mi, 740 km) Takeoff Distance over 50 ft obstacle: 1,700 ft (520 m) Fuel: Super-unleaded autogas or 100LL Wingspan: 27.5 ft (8.4 m) Length: 18.75 ft (5.7 m) Height: 6.75 ft (2.1 m) On-Road Width: 6.5 ft (2.0 m)

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Will it pull my 28 foot Glastron?

[Snickering Hound]

[Former Proud Canadian]

RE post 2, saw a report on youtube that involved smacking one of those Mercedes “smart cars” (you know, the tiny two seaters) into a cement wall at 60. The car was demolished but the passenger cage was fairly intact. Unfortunately the rapid deceleration would have destroyed the internal organs of a human being.

[zeugma]

Plug-in Series Hybrid This Aptera is also powered by an electric drive train but it is assisted by a fuel efficient gasoline powered generator which stretches your range significantly. In typical driving you may achieve over 300 miles per gallon and you will have range far beyond any passenger vehicle available today. The approximate cost of this option with all the features listed above will be $29,900.

O.k folks. Here's where the 300mpg lie is laid bare. I guess you could call it a 300 MPG car if you get your electricity for free. 

 

[jim_trent]

> “Top speed 72 mph”

I had a 1964 that would go that fast — eventually. However, the speed limit at that time (late 1960’s) on the Interstate was 75mph and very few people were going that slow.

I eventually got a Judson supercharger and it would go 92mph on level ground. However, it was like driving a unicycle at 92mph. The steering was entirely too quick for that speed. In gusty wind, it was downright dangerous. But I was young and stupid back then.

I went through several speed traps at 92mph and was never once pulled over. I suspect that when they saw an old VW Bug going over 90mph, they decided to recalibrate the radar instead of pull me over. By the time they checked it, I was long gone. The engine never blew, but it only lasted about 20,000 miles after I installed it. The engine was totally worn out by then.

[MichaelP]

Mike

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

This should suit the coming government mandated American family of two adults and one infant. Sort of like China has done. One more reason to reduce the human population; Two and one half seater cars.

[newgeezer]

I suppose we could all drive heavy battle tanks to the 7-11?

Not all of us but, I'm sure there will always be those unfortunate souls whose shortcomings cannot be cured by anything else (even Viagra).

(And they'll continue to insist it's all about "safety." ;^)

[MNJohnnie]

So if you are rich enough to afford one, you aren't bothered by gas prices anyway. God help you if you damage it. Replacement parts of anything probably cost in the thousands.

[HardStarboard]

>>> I’d like to know power...sure it gets up to 75MPH, but how long? 30 seconds? <<<

The 75mph is probably on the flat....hill climbing at 75 might not be possible.

Your 30 second figure is probably time to get from 65 to 75 mph - not a lot of reserve poop at the top end.

Still, I'd love to test drive one....in light traffic.

[Rebelbase]

That is cool. The Weapons and Nav officer sits in the back.

[dangerdoc]

This is not the same car, look at the picture on the link.

[bert]

Those were the days!!

[crz]

Well..here we got a bunch who want to play demo derby and need a tank to be safe. Then there are some here who hate anything that makes sense.

The one thing they fail to understand is that they will soon be paying in excess of 5 bucks a gallon. They will not ride share as its a hassel (ya right) and they wanna continue to drive like a bat out of hell where ever they go. I think 5 bucks a gallon is to cheap. Better 15 bucks a gallon.

I own a VW Beetle diesel. 54 MPG and it’ll run with nearly anything on the road. Its got 320 thousand miles on it and it still has the compression it had when it was new-I know because I checked the compression when I changed injectors a couple months ago.

So the American cars can go suck and egg. They are JUNK I aint supporting no friggan union freek from downstate MI. They can starve. Besides that, a lot of the American car parts arent made in the USA anyways. The Germans make some of the best cars in the world and always will because they THINK AHEAD. Unlike DEEEETROIT.

How bout this..why not drive safe and put down your friggan cell phones while your driving, slow down, and we could all benefit?

Text away!