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Autocar has learned that Volkswagen is fast-tracking development of an affordable new two-seat city car.

In its most economical form, the new VW will return a class-leading 141mpg and emit less than 60g/km of CO2 – all without hybrid drive.

The three-door hatchback is set to go head-to-head with the Smart and Toyota iQ. It is strongly tipped by VW insiders to be called Chico after a VW concept car from 1991, and will become the entry level VW, below the Up!.

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QUITE BRILLIANT

This is exactly what all the motoring manufacturers around the world should be producing (of course in multi seat versions as well) and drop all the mega expensive mega performance models that are so totally out of keeping with the economic times we now live in.  Furthermore and morally, with sensible vehicles like this the ever dwindling fuel reserves will go one hell of a lot further.Some weeks ago I suggested on the Autocar FORUM that there ought to be a 100 / 100 / 100 formula with the 100’s being respectively 100 mpg minimum fuel consumption, 100g/km of CO2 maximum and 100 mph maximum top speed……….. this new concept would appear to tick most of those boxes ! 

 

dillonsamben:

This is exactly what all the motoring manufacturers around the world should be producing (of course in multi seat versions as well) and drop all the mega expensive mega performance models that are so totally out of keeping with the economic times we now live in.  Furthermore and morally, with sensible vehicles like this the ever dwindling fuel reserves will go one hell of a lot further.Some weeks ago I suggested on the Autocar FORUM that there ought to be a 100 / 100 / 100 formula with the 100’s being respectively 100 mpg minimum fuel consumption, 100g/km of CO2 maximum and 100 mph maximum top speed……….. this new concept would appear to tick most of those boxes ! 

Being a sceptic, I would hold fire until the final figures for this car are released.  VW have got a habit of teasing us with a mouth watering spec (read the original incarnation of the UP!), then saying it can't be done for what ever reason.

Yes the figures are achievable but in some ways they look too good to be true.

Thinking out loud here for a second, is this the first incarnation of the Gordon Murray small car?!?!?

Boring.

What's the point of a 2 seater car with the engine up front? If it's gonna be impractical anyway, it might as well have the motor behind the driver.

If you can make a Bluemotion Polo (the same size as a Mk1 Golf, remember?) do 100g/km, then it should be possible to get a Smart sized car to output significantly less. The problem with the FourTwo and the new lil Toyota is that they just don't give you the kind of figures that they look like they should in terms of CO2 and MPG - maybe VW can make the numbers add up.

I'll be in the queue if it works.

Fantastic, this is what we all need - more cars like the Smart, iQ - I just can't wait to see this now. And the Up!

And so will be a zillion other open mouthed and open cheque book motorists 230SL. 

   And YES TegTypeR, come on Gordon Murray now go and get another handful of manufacturers going along similar lines because we all know that a total genius like Murray is knows what the motoring public really want.  

And now Ferrari, Lamborghini, Zolda, all American cars, most of Mercedes, most of BMW, all 4x4’s et all, et all, et all……………… please follow this orderly queue to the lemming party at the highest cliffs on planet earth !

Autocar:

all without hybrid drive

 

Autocar:

Stop-start technology, regenerative braking and low rolling resistance tyres will be standard features.

 

How does the regenerative braking work then? Flywheel?

 

NiallOswald:

How does the regenerative braking work then? Flywheel?

Assumptions (you know what they say about those) would indicate that the "regenerative braking" would be purely to charge the battery. So everytime you lift off the alternator engages and charges the battery, thus not putting the engine under any extra strain when accelerating/cruising than it has to. Obviously this is not hybrid - as the energy is not going into drive, but it does help reduce load on the engine.

I don't get it. If its a 2-seater, why do the pictures have 4 seats?

Looks like a mighty impressive achievement if they can do it!!!

ryaner:

I don't get it. If its a 2-seater, why do the pictures have 4 seats?

Those are pictures of the Volkswagen Up! Concept - not the new 2 seater.