16 September 2009 - 13:00
Frankfurt show: VW L1 concept
This is the L1 Concept, VW's streamlined vision of
the future. It's an 800cc diesel-electric hybrid made from half a Golf
Bluemotion engine, wrapped in aluminium and carbon fibre. The electric motor
fires up to help the diesel under acceleration, shoving an extra 40 per cent
torque to the wheels.
The whole thing weights just 380kg (that's without any fatties on board) and is
just over a metre high - that's about the same as a Murcielago.
Its centreline seating layout puts passenger behind driver, presumably so the
person driving can massage his mate's knees as they straddle his torso. It also
makes the car thin like a bullet, so there's less drag. That means it can hit
an incredible 189mpg and go 416 miles on just ten litres of diesel.
Our spy on the ground at Geneva just had a sneaky word with a VW source, who
suggested that the car is, essentially, ready to go. So perhaps we can expect
to see one on the road in the next couple of years.
Kind of reminds us of that weird Carver thing. OK, so the VW doesn’t tilt, but we’d like to see Jeremy squeeze himself into one…
Want to comment on this?
So what's the production version going to look like?
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Impressive in its own way, but I'm slightly concerned about safety.
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Wait a minute, they did exactly this car IN 2002!! Not very imaginative, this. All they've done is add some BlueSport styling to it. And it still looks daft.
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Reminds me of a Messerschmit bubble car!
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Its based on the concept from 2002 which was a handmade thing. This one should be production ready in 2013. - but - who would buy it???? and yes what would be the NCAP rating? In other words, I don not want to have a crash with it. AND until then I expect electric cars being mainstream..
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Where's the closest toilet? I have to puke!!! In the future, Top Gear, please put up warnings before showing us kiddies things like this...
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The numbers are impressive on paper but one has to wonder what happens to the mpg figure depending on how much you weigh. They'd have to have a calculator on the website to calculate your own theoretical figure with what percentage you would be. That'd be good for a laugh - if you lose a stone you get another 20 mpg. And forget carpooling obviously, though a bobsleigh configuration does have certain compensations in the right company - could be worth the extra cash then....... ;)
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Uh, those tyres look pretty thin, and how would you change the back ones? Although I can't imagine you surviving long enough to find out if you crashed when the tyre blew.
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It's not meant to look great or go great, which is a relief because it's hideous. It's more of a showcase of what VW engineers can achieve...an incredible 189 miles to the gallon. Still, wouldn't want one on my drive.
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?????? is it safe....
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They got the name wrong its the VW Dishwasher
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this is just ...horrible...
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why do the car companies assume we will travel alone ?. they should encourage car pooling if they are saving the environment
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First, I doubt that VW will sell it over on my side of the pond... but if they do and price it under... $25,000... I'll sell my Honda ST1300 and use this to commute to work.
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For the vast majority of journeys it will be brilliant. A revolution in car design!
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Clarkson, this belongs in the cool section of the cool board. Very sexy!
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As for travelling alone... isn't this what we do most of the time... encourage carpooling - who really carpools?... except for accountants
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airbuggy commented on this article
15 September 2009
it looks like a german cyclist's helmet.with wheels on it..
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