Volkswagen have decided to produce a limited run of a car very similar to their "one-litre" concept released in 2002, according to news on Car Magazine online. Production is likely to begin in 2010.
The original concept was capable of a staggering 282mpg, equivalent to the European measure of fuel consumption recording one litre of fuel for every 100km travelled (actually 0.99 litres but who's counting?), hence the name. The engine itself is rather less than one litre, displacing 299cc of pure diesel-fuelled economy and a less than headline-grabbing 8.5bhp. Thanks to the slippery aerodynamics and 300kg kerb weight, it can still hit around 75mph though it'll take a while to get there.
The production version is likely to use a more torquey and powerful twin cylinder turbodiesel engine, which will also provide more refinement than the single in the original concept. Just as well, considering magazines reported the original engine idled at 1400rpm and rattled to high heavens. Because of the change don't expect the same 282mpg of the original, but do expect it to be vastly more economical than any other production car available on the market.
According to Car, it's likely to be produced in limited numbers by Volkswagen's own prototype shop. The wait till 2010 has been necessary to let the price of producing the carbon monocoque fall, though don't expect the finished car to be available for less than €20,000 (£16,000) and it could be as high as €30,000 (£24,000). Due to the need for light weight you won't be getting much equipment with the car either, so until the concept is more economically viable (no pun intended) it's likely only to attract fairly well-off consumers, and probably a raft of headlines.
Well done to Volkswagen for going ahead with this project. Hopefully it will encourage other companies to follow suit and have the courage to produce cars that give out the message that clever technology and simple concepts are the way forward.
Images: Volkswagen
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