VW's Quest for the Fuel Mileage Grail
Volkswagen releases gas in the general direction of CAFE standards! CEO Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the company is working on an ultra-high-mileage car that will get 235 mpg, according to Greencar.com. The VeeDub hypermiler is a tandem two-seater with a Cd of 0.159 and an estimated range of 400 miles on its 1.7 gallon fuel tank. The engine is a single cylinder diesel displacing 300 – 500cc, attached to a six-speed DSG transmission. Thanks to lightweight materials like carbon fiber, magnesium and lightweight alloys, the entire vehicle weighs in at 639 pounds. VW says a limited production version could be offered by 2010. Unless VW hacks Tesla's "customer" list, the chances are the complete vehicle won't make it to market. But look for a carbon fiber wing mirror on the next GTI.
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Also, I just looked at the picture again...this just looks like they took that three wheeled set up thing they had, and put a body on it.
I kinda like it. Brings back memories of Stark Trek III. Wait a second. Spocks coffin was actually a modified Lincoln Mark VI. Nevermind.
Please give it 75 hp. Put one wheel out back, escape cardom regulations. I'd buy it, at oh 14k if fully developed and more reliable than usual VW/audi. Please no turbo all wheel drive etc. I dont like two seat wide, drive alone 98%. Might have to buy a folder bicycle to fit in back.
25 or so years ago Toyota experimented with engines that shut off while we waited for traffic lights and then restarted quickly when the fuel pedal was pressed. It wasn't practical back then but this feature is now routine on the Prius and helps save fuel. Maybe this etremely efficient VW will never be produced but it is wonderful that VW is doing these experiments and who knows what features they learned from this car will show up in the future.