GX3 prototype caught testing - production imminent?
The VW GX3 was the runaway hit of the rather staid L.A. Auto Show this past January. Volkswagen hinted at the
possibly of producing the three-wheeler but, c’mon, we weren’t taking them seriously.It turns out there’s been enough positive reaction from the press and public to justify the existence of this road-going test mule caught doing laps at Lotus in England. The rear-wheel drive GX3 would be powered by a 125-hp, 1.6L four-cylinder and weigh as light as a feather. Tipping the scales at next to nothing (relative to its four-wheeled and enclosed counterparts) will produce blasts to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds while returning 44 mpg, though probably not at the same time. All this for the low, low price of 17 large.
If it goes on sale the U.S. has already been chosen as its main market, though VW’s cooperation with Lotus, which is owned by the Malaysian company Proton, suggests the GX3 might well be sold the world over.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ThomD 7:55AM (3/16/2006)
Tipping the scales at next to nothing and having 3 wheels will get you called a "motorcycle" by the state of Califonia. It better weight 1501 lbs.
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ebm14 7:56AM (3/16/2006)
I dont know why a company would want to make such a car? It looks too much like a toy and not sure where this would have practical application.
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OlivierB 7:56AM (3/16/2006)
Is that a little orange wheelie on the side?
I guess even Lotus is not exempt of physics laws and that as "sexy" and innovative this trhee weel desgin may look, it doesn't hold a candle to 4 wheels when it comes to stability in corners.
No wonder they expect the US to be te main market, these are people who drive at 55mph and have never taken a bend.
A lotus elise with it's full 300Kgs more can probably run circles around this POS when it gets twisty.
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bhtooefr 8:16AM (3/16/2006)
OK, you're track testing a new car that nobody's sure of how it handles, how likely it is to roll over, and you're trying to push it PAST its limits (not just to them). Do you want those wheels on the sides or not?
I'm sure that the Elise had similar wheels during testing.
Oh, and VW: PLEASE put a TDI in that thing. Can you say 70 MPG with performance to boot?
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JayP 8:48AM (3/16/2006)
$17k, 44mpg, sub 6 sec to 60? A track day car for the masses?
I'd hit it.
My fear- I'd be a bug in some monster SUV.
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Brandon B 9:03AM (3/16/2006)
#3...that little orange wheel on the side isn't for stability...it's for measuring acceleration. Way to try and slam Lotus though!
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OlivierB 9:28AM (3/16/2006)
Brnadon B, wish you were right but unfortunately I am right as per the last sentence in the linked article "It is furthermore equipped with different types of alloy wheels for testing plus two extra supporting wheels on the side."
Supporting sounds pretty clear to me. They are not of the kind you are talking about that are usually about 20" big.
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Dave 9:39AM (3/16/2006)
I think VW is on the right track with something light, economical, fun and inexpensive... but I don't think something with three tires will be very good for track days. So if you posers all go for TT/SLK/Z4 and the hardcore trackday crowd goes for the Elise or even the Miata, who goes for this?
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JZeke 9:49AM (3/16/2006)
From the January issue of Evo Magazine, on the test of the Peugeot 20CUP, another 3 wheeler concept:
"Hand retrieved, I return via a slalom and discover that a single rear wheel is not conducive to entertaining throttle-steer. It all happens up front and oversteer is right off the agenda. I knew there had to be a reason for four wheels. We look forward to trying the rest of the 207 in March."
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/63767/2/peugeot_20cup.html
Is a 3-wheeler really the best way to make an entertaining fuel sipper?
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Proud Japanese 9:52AM (3/16/2006)
3 wheelers are known to get upto 1.90 on the skidpad.
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Mark 10:27AM (3/16/2006)
I still think the Campana T-Rex is much cooler. Costs more than twice as much though.
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Mark 10:32AM (3/16/2006)
"No wonder they expect the US to be te main market, these are people who drive at 55mph and have never taken a bend."
Olivier, have you ever actually driven in the US? I'll grant you the bit about bends -- most of our roads are lamentably straight -- but the only place you'll typically find traffic moving at 55mph is in a 40mph zone. Out on interstate highways, I've routinely witnessed traffic moving at 80-90mph. (Traffic jams don't count -- you find those on the autobahn as well.)
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Sagz 11:17AM (3/16/2006)
OliverB stop spreading FUD. 3 wheelers are proven that if the weight is right (60% of the weight in front) that the car can out handle a 4 wheeler as stated by Proud Japanese
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CJ 11:30AM (3/16/2006)
Does an orange bicycle flag come with it so the SUVs can see me?
Looks fun, I'd buy it if I had the disposable income to blow on it (and store it!).
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Ken 12:41PM (3/16/2006)
It's cool, and props to VW, but the 0-60 and top speed seem a bit lackluster considering this thing is small, light, etc.
I hope it does well, as it will only mean more and better stuff!
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Jacek Kozubek 12:59PM (3/16/2006)
I think it looks amazing. If it hits the number it says it can hit and cost less then 17 grand then I will be the first person in line. We always bitch about companies going out of the box and this is one of those rare concepts that does!
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WS 2:49PM (3/16/2006)
I want one. I hope you read this, VW: I'd trade in my MINI Cooper convertible for this thing, as long as there is room for a gym bag and the option of a top (it does rain here sometimes). And imagine blasting down the carpool lane, mocking everyone stuck in LA traffic. I wonder if CA would let GX3 drivers split lanes in traffic like motorcycles do.
It's the perfect SoCal funmobile. Build it!
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naggs 3:50PM (3/16/2006)
this thing is stupid, its no safer, more useable, more weather resistant, and certainly not as fast as a motorcycle? who is going to buy this that wouldnt just get the motorcycle?
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Krishna Das 4:48PM (3/16/2006)
Its a cool thing, I might actually buy it. I hope I do not need a motorcycle license for it.
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Scott Eaton 4:58PM (3/16/2006)
Me.
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