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The Truth:
 The
Volkswagen (VW) L1 is a real car, seats 2 and if released would have a
price tag $25,900.
Volkswagen has
designed and built the L-1 with an eye toward better gas mileage and
lower carbon emissions. It has not yet resulted in a production model to
be released to the public, but Former VW chairman Dr Ferdinand Piëch
actually drove the L1 to the VW shareholders' meeting in Hamburg from
his office in Wolfsburg which lies about 84 miles South of the German
port. Piëch recorded 317.4mpg with an average speed of 43.5mph.
The two passenger car
is equipped with a carbon fiber body, 299cc single-cylinder diesel
engine, anti lock brakes, driver's airbag and an electronic stability
program. The L1's price tag of $25,900 was much higher than
what the German automotive company targeted for consumers.
The UK Telegraph
followed the progress of the L1 over the years reported that the
project had been scrapped and later restarted. The L1 has design
challenges such as the passenger having to sit bobsled style with their
legs around the drivers seat as well as excessive noise and vibration
adding to passenger discomfort.
Piëch now heads VW's
supervisory board and is still working on fuel efficient vehicles for
the German automaker. The L1 appeared to be a stepping stone
and a learning tool to design more efficient vehicles. Piëch said,
"We will never build a one-litre car, but it could give us the knowledge
to build a two-litre car."
The VW company also
introduced a 3 liter vehicle, the Lupo, which seats four and goes about
78 miles to a gallon of fuel.
Click for UK Telegraph story
updated 04/08/09 |
