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Topic: The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin (Read 2551 times) previous topic - next topic

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

I don't know if anyone remembers the 1 Litre concept, but I do. I also remember thinking this thing will never see the light of day. Now, thanks to speculators, we will get the chance to own one. With news of a 67mpg Ford Fiesta, which doesn't look like a slug or use Hybrid technology but still out performs the Prius in efficiency, and now this 200mpg+ two seater from VW, do you think the Hybrid lie will last?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-reportedly-green-lights-one-liter-concept.html


VW reportedly green lights ‘one liter’ concept

July1
may2008/vw-1l-ri.jpg

Back in 2002, Volkswagen created a highly frugal concept dubbed the ‘one-liter’. It was a two-seat, one-cylinder cigar-shaped economy car that promised tremendous fuel economy – up to 282 mpg! But because of the high price of carbon fiber at the time – the one liter’s main construction material – the project was put on hold until at least 2012. However, a new report indicates VW brass has given the project the green light two years in advance, with the one liter now slated for production in 2010.

According to CarMagazine.co.uk, the one liter’s overall design hasn’t changed much since 2002. The production car will retain its 1+1 seating style, as well as the concepts canopy door.

Weight and aerodynamics will be the name of the game with VW doing everything it can to maximize both. Review mirrors will be replaced with cameras and non-essentials for a vehicle weighing less than 700 pounds – such as power steering and power brakes – will be left off. Despite the amazingly light curb weight, the one liter will still feature a driver’s airbag, ABS and ESP.

The original one liter was powered by a one-cylinder engine, but the production version will use a two-cylinder diesel engine. A hybrid powerplant is also said to be part of the equation, which will allow for partial zero-emissions operation. Power will be sent to the wheels via a motorcycle-sourced transmission.

VW’s ultimate green machine is expected to retail anywhere from $32,000 to $48,000, with production expected to be limited to 1,000 examples.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #1 –
Ummm, perhaps a retail between $12,000 - $15,000 before it has any impact on hybrid sales.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #2 –
Why? Hybrids cost a lot more than that. It's a passenger car that meets NHTSA crash safety ratings. I think they're doing good to keep this thing under $80G, considering the materials they're using. When the Hybrid came along, people were (and still are) happy to spend a big premium for a car with less power, horrible looks, and modest efficiency improvements. I think it'll take one mention of 200+mpg and the first 1000 units will be pre-ordered before you can say 'Volkswage...'.
 

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #3 –
I'm sure there'll be a whole raft of "smug" wealthy people who will snap them up so they can look like they're doing something and they'll be cool too, but the 4 door, with trunk Prius @ $21k MSRP is a much more practical deal than a 1+1 seating "motorcycle side car" looking thing IMHO - even with the 200MPG.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #4 –
It is expensive, there's no doubting that. But they are building only 1000 of them, and they're specially built from nose to tail with pretty much nothing out of the VW parts bin. New chassis, new powertrain, new everything but switchgear.

My hope for this car is that it spuppiess an entirely new class of vehicle made for incredibly high efficiency. If they can make them by the hundreds of thousands, the costs would be a lot lower. If more people are driving cars that get well over 100mpg then oil consumption would drop so fast gasoline and diesel would be forced to drop back to an affordable level.

I would love to see a trend to these Eco-sub-compacts for daily drivers/commuters. No one needs 300hp to get to work and back.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #5 –
Oh, believe me, my 100 mile round trip every day does NOT require a 3k lb. 4 door vehicle. I'd like to have something safer and more rain/cold weather comfortable than a motorcycle for good mileage. I wonder if GM is regretting shutting down the Geo Metro - those suckers were cheap good mileage transportation. Friggin' coworker had the 3 cylinder coupe and got 50 MPG. I had the larger 4cyl. sedan but still got in the mid 30's. Idiots with their lack of planning make me NOT feel bad for them. How's them Yukon sales goin' fer ya? Morons.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #6 –
Not good for claustrophobics!
:cougarsmily:~Karen~

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #7 –
I get mid 40's in my fantastic plastic daily driver. Low 40's with the air on. Low 30's while towing the trailer with the air on (as I discovered yesterday). 2200 pounds, 100 horsepower, 5-speed stick. Not fast by any stretch, but perfectly adequate for my 80-mile round trips to the city every few days...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #8 –
been there done that

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #9 –
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack;225736
been there done that



Crumple Zones and Crash Ratings. Not to mention that the Isetta was slower and I doubt would break 80mpg.

It reminds me more of the Messerschmitt KR200.

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #10 –
Quote from: oldraven;225701
No one needs 300hp to get to work and back.

Since I'm retired and don't drive much, can I keep my 300hp??? Please???

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #12 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats;225741
Oh, sign me up for this: :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN0LQJLabqA

Effin' brilliant.

Bah, you beat me to it!  I was just about to post that :toilet:

There's an interesting thread on Corral about a 110mpg Fox Stang...with 400hp and 0-60 in 3 seconds LOL

http://forums.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1035493

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #13 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;225738
Since I'm retired and don't drive much, can I keep my 300hp??? Please???


Hey, no one said you have to trade anything in. :hick:

That stang is 110mpg now? It started as 80, then turned to 100 a day later. I call BS on that. (175mph and 0-60 in 3s. from 400hp? What is everybody else doing wrong?)

The last nail in the Hybrid's coffin

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Cougar5.0;225717
Idiots with their lack of planning make me NOT feel bad for them. How's them Yukon sales goin' fer ya? Morons.


Well... it's not like GM or any automaker can compensate when the fuel market changed so quickly.

The prices used to inflate maybe what..$.20-$.50 per gal a year? Now we get monthly increases of that or more.

If somebody said 3 years ago gas would be $4.00+ a gal.. sure. Then some forsite may have been needed. But duing a time of national chrisis.. AKA Katrina.. Gas was "outrageous" at $2.50/gal and once that all cleared, the prices would drop to normal.. Guess what... THEY NEVER DID.

For the record, I think the oil speculators should all be beaten and hung.
1988 Cougar LS 5.0 (currently parting out):cougarsmily:
1989 Mustang LX Notch 2.3 (Project):ford: