Volkswagen developing car even smaller than up! with 117.6 mpg!
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW up! Concept
In Fall of 2007, Volkswagen unveiled a series of three mini car concepts called the up!, Space up! and Space up! Blue. Apparently the German automaker has determined that the tiny "four seat" up! just isn't small enough and is planning an even smaller machine to take on the Smart ForTwo directly. The goal is to create a two-seater that can achieve a fuel consumption rating of 2 L/100 km or 117.6 mpg! According to Auto Motor und Sport, the smaller car will be based on the up! architecture with power coming from a 1.0L three-cylinder diesel making 50 hp. VW has been testing a two-cylinder engine, but is unlikely to go that route. A twin would have to work too hard to provide any mileage benefit, so the slightly larger engine is likely to find a home in the new car. The first of the up! models are expected to debut in 2010 with larger models, and now smaller ones, to follow. Thanks to Christian for the tip!
Gallery: VW up!
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via German Car Blog]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Flashpoint 8:22AM (11/06/2008)
Cars this size would do best in populous Chinese cities and even better in Japan/Korea.
But, they'd be doing better creating an electric plug-in vehicle. At this size and weight, electric would be the best way to go.
Reply
Wintrode 8:26AM (11/06/2008)
While I agree with you that electric (or fuel cell) would probably make the most long term sense, if they can get 117mpg out of the gas version soon, bring it on!
NeverFollow 8:46AM (11/06/2008)
The issue with electric plug-in vehicles in urban cities is that at least 50% of the car are parked in the street.
Unless you own a house, it will take time before rental apartments units will provide a plug-in garage.
oldraven 8:56AM (11/06/2008)
In cold weather cities, there are already plug-ins in most parking stalls. Then again, batteries don't take well to the cold, either.
zamafir 10:10AM (11/06/2008)
Right... which is why they're doing it. VW's been pretty clear they're working on an electric car and trying to bring it to market around 2010 in several interviews, most recently last week when they indicated they were building all components of their new hybrid and future electric car systems in house as opposed to outsourcing to other companies.
oldraven 8:47AM (11/06/2008)
So, is this in addition to the VW one-litre being developed, or is it just more news on the same car. VW confirmed they're working on bringing the one-litre concept to life, about four months ago or more.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/vw-1-liter-eco-friendly-car-set-to-make-a-return/
Reply
zamafir 10:11AM (11/06/2008)
Same Car, and they confirmed the 1L last year actually, they just keep slowly building excitement for it in the markets where it will matter.
hickeydesign 9:24AM (11/06/2008)
Needs a VR6
Reply
Kotse 10:52AM (11/06/2008)
A W12, Baby!!!
Torrent 11:18AM (11/06/2008)
keep in mind we're talking fuel economy.... The W12 will probably be bigger than the car itself... turbo 3 cylinder ftw
K 11:52AM (11/06/2008)
No. Slap that badboy W12 where the engine for the original Up was supposed to be located...rear engine/behind the front seats!
An Up W12-650! ;)
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/17/worthersee-2007-vw-shows-off-monster-golf-gti-w12-650-concept/
garth 11:16AM (11/06/2008)
When will VW put one these BS high mpg concepts into production?
Reply
gotsmart 11:15AM (11/06/2008)
Wake me when they actually start *building* these.
Reply
Chad 11:36AM (11/06/2008)
117.6 mpg?
It will probably be rated at about 60 combined under the U.S. over conservative mileage rating system. Still, nothing to sneeze at.
Reply
P.V. 5:28PM (11/06/2008)
Smaller than the up!? I thought the up! was supposed to compete with the "smart". Or was it the MINI?
Reply