#Vw prototype hover car driver
#Vw prototype hover car skin

Deformable elements at the front and the space frame construction provide the same standards of impact and overturning protection as in a GT racing car. It has an anti-lock braking system, the ESP electronic stability programme and a driver's airbag among its safety features. The seats are also of extremely lightweight material, with magnesium frames and high-strength but comfortable tensioned woven fabric instead of the classic upholstery.Īlthough weight-saving construction methods have been applied throughout, safety was nevertheless given close attention during every phase of the 'one-litre' concept car's development.

#Vw prototype hover car driver

The interior is sporting in style and extremely compact, but provides sufficient space for the driver and one passenger it is reached by folding back the dome-shaped hinge-up door. The wheels, too, are made from an extremely light composite material to harmonise perfectly with the ultra-economical power train. The suspension uses light alloy components and the car runs on 16-inch low-friction tyres optimised to keep rolling resistance to a minimum.

Despite these modest figures the car is surprisingly lively thanks to its weight of only 290 kilograms.

The crankcase and cylinder head are of aluminium, using a monobloc construction principle.Ī direct-injection, naturally aspirated diesel, with a capacity of 0,3 litres, it develops 6,3 kW at 4000 r/min and is equipped with an advanced high-pressure pump-injector fuel supply system. The “one-litre car” is powered by a single-cylinder diesel engine located in the mid position ahead of the rear axle, driving through an automated direct-shift gearbox.

#Vw prototype hover car skin

The reinforced plastic outer skin conceals a space frame that is not constructed from aluminium, but from magnesium, an even lighter metal. The body is unpainted in order to save weight. It has a width of only 1,25m and is just over a metre high. It was developed in the wind tunnel and built entirely from composite carbon-fibre-reinforced material. Since the concept calls for a reduced frontal area to minimise exposure to the airstream, the 3,65m long body is exceptionally narrow and low-built. The world's first “one-litre” car licensed for road use resembles a sports car more than a typical research vehicle in appearance. It could open up new demand areas extending all the way from a 'super-saver' as seen here to a low-cost day-to-day touring vehicle for young people or even a supersport model with outstandingly high performance. Volkswagen is hoping this will be the prototype for a totally new family of cars. The concept has four wheels, but is very low-slung, with two seats in tandem. The fuel tank holds 6,5 litres, and only 2,1 litres was found to have passed through the engine's fuel injection system. The experimental vehicle completed the 230 km journey in three hours, averaging 75 km/h. Piëch drove the “one-litre” car from Volkswagen's plant in Wolfsburg to the company’s annual general meeting in Hamburg.

The prototype consumed only 0,89 litre of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres, but could reach 120 km/h.

The prototype consumed only 0,89 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres, but could reach 120 km/h.Īs one of his last duties as chief executive of Volkswagen, Ferdinand Piëch showed off the world’s most economical car. As one of his last duties as chief executive of Volkswagen, Ferdinand Piëch showed off the world’s most economical car.