Comments on: 230 Miles Per Gallon…from a VW?!

By: Baumgartner

Baumgartner — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:12:51 +0000

All I want to do is buy a VW L 1
Three Wheeled car ?

By: stephan Torak

stephan Torak — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 00:15:37 +0000

I have the feeling that this car will NEVER be seen in the USA, the oilboys will see to that, don’t you worry. Just look at how the rest of the world measures emissions (tons of CO2 per year) and how the USA measures emissions..percent of total emissions. Thus, we can go on producing Dinosaurs while keeping cars from our markets that would save money and the environment.
Thats why Pr. Bush did not join the Kyoto accord, to protect our auto industry and their secret, but clearly evident, agreements with the oil companies.
How are we ever going to fix this. …The states need to pass laws that allow individuals to put engines of their choice into cars, with as little red tape as possible. Then you should see American ingenuity at work and American Auto industry up the creek, together with the oilboys. Thank you for your attention, gotta go, I got some biodiesel ready for filtering, adios.

By: bluemonkey

bluemonkey — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:20:07 +0000

TRUST AND VERIFY …
IF THIS CAR WILL BE IN USE, ALMOST AS AN ELECTRIC CAR:
The battery pack itself, rated at 16 kilowatts/hour, comprises more than 220 separate cells wired in series. That means the failure of any one cell disables the entire array, though some existing hybrid vehicles also have this flaw. The Volt pack is about six feet long and weighs a hefty 375 pounds.
Voltage: 320 – 350 V
100% recharge time:
110V outlet: 6 – 6.5 h
Electromotor: 45kW
GM also claims the 2011 Chevrolet Volt can run solely on electric power for 40 miles with a full battery charge. That’s in line with studies showing that most Americans drive only about 40 miles a day, so in theory at least, a Volt could go for weeks without using a drop of gas or spewing any CO2. But some analysts think the real-world electric range will be closer to 30 miles and probably less, depending on vehicle speed, ambient temperature (which affects battery performance), and whether trips include steep grades.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm
http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/1030008103.html
THE BATTERY PACK NEEDS TO BE RECHARGED ALMOST EVERYDAY.
QUESTION #1
After how many recharge cycles (DAYS) the Battery Pack 16KW/H with 220 separate cells wired in series, weighting 375 pounds, HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW ONE?
QUESTION #2
HOW MUCH COST A NEW BATTERY SET TO BE REPLACED, (PARTS and labor) ??? !!!
QUESTION #3
If this car will be used as a normal hybrid car:
If the battery pack is fully charged overnight, the fuel tank filled with gasoline (gasoline pump shuts off) and the car is driven non stop 230 miles:
HOW MANY GALLONS OF GASOLINE DO A HAVE TO ADD, TO REFUEL THE FUEL TANK (till gasoline pump shuts off)?
QUESTION #4
IS ANY DIFFERENCE IF THIS TRIP HAPPEN DURING A WINTER NIGHT 40 Degree F, OR A SUMMER DAY 80 Degree F.
Going beyond Hybrid, GM and his rescuers are going down a cliff.

By: Collin Ferguson

Collin Ferguson — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:40:02 +0000

Hey all,

I started up a Volkswagen L1 Twitter account – @VW_L1_Love and a petition to tell your local VW Dealer to get the L1 on the lot like now, man.

Follow me and sign the petition! And, spread the word.

Collin

By: Hal

Hal — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:40:08 +0000

I first saw an article on this car saying the price in Shanghai money was equal to $600.00 US. At that price it would be affordable to fly to Shanghai, buy this car, ship it back to the states and still have money left over for gas and not pay more then $5000.00. When is this car being sold here and for how much? I’m putting in my order

By: Hal

Hal — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:34:12 +0000

I’d love to have one of these for driving to work and long distances. It seems ideal. As for speed, the top speed in most states is 70. If you are a defensive driver, you don’t need to look at higher speeds. It could help you keep the $250 to $500 ticket prices and points off your record for the speeing you are doing now. Commuter car for sure. Long trips? enough for a suitcase in the back is good enough for me. $8.00 to drive to visit relatives instead of $100..I’ll take that any day.

By: MusicManInSCarolina

MusicManInSCarolina — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:07:17 +0000

I have just talked with someone who is going to try to bring this over to the USA, direct from China. I told them I wanted one of these cars as soon as they can be exported from Shanghai. From every indication at this point, it will only cost me $600 plus whatever freight charges that will be in a group rate. We think the car would be available for shipping sometime by Fall 2009

By: Robert Kerber

Robert Kerber — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:16:45 +0000

Perfect commuter/short haul vehicle!!! What I’d build if I had the capibility! I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat if it was competitively priced. I rarely go beyond 55 mph on the 12 mi. ride to work. Ditch the carbon fiber for fiberglass and the magnesium frame for good ‘ole US steel. Lose the airbag and the anti-locks too, they suck and add $$$’s to the price! This should trim $$$’s off the price tag. Even half the mileage might be OK if the price were appropriate. This beauty isn’t going to compete against semi’s/SUV’s in a crash and neither are motorcycles! I’d opt for a decent radio/CD combo, heat/de-foggers, and oh, the rear-facing 20mm cannon or .50 cal gun option for dealing with the occaisionally marauding semi’s/SUV’s. Single-shot of course. Just tie it into the the back-up camera/targeting curcuit. Please drive DEFENSIVELY, America!

Regards,
Bob

By: NT

NT — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:43:58 +0000

Any New Updates on the L1? I would really like to see this on the streets here in NYC. This would be a great commuter car inside the city. Snall enough to get parking, plus not much emission.

By: Collin Ferguson

Collin Ferguson — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:31:24 +0000

I’ll get started with an I-petition. The website will come shortly thereafter. But, let’s keep reporting on this L1. Does anyone have more pictures? What resources can we currently view to learn more about the L1?

By: Matt Radel

Matt Radel — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:58:15 +0000

@Collin: Sounds awesome! Though we here at VB are kinda at our limits with work at the moment, but if you get something going we’ll be more than happy to feature it. :)

By: Collin Ferguson

Collin Ferguson — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:14:13 +0000

I wonder if they will make a diesel/biodiesel version of this vehicle?

Hey, does anyone want to start a L1 campaign to encourage VW dealers to carry the vehicle and create wait lists for customers?

How about http://www.L1campaign.org?

By: Matt Radel

Matt Radel — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:36:03 +0000

Eh, folks on the highway don’t stop people from driving motorcycles – which would have to be significantly more dangerous than this guy.

I think safety is going to be a big factor in the whole smaller/smart car market, and it’s something that people will accept if they’re willing to take the plunge. There are tradeoffs for everything. :)

By: Joeb

Joeb — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:29:31 +0000

What concerns me are my neighbors on the highway, it is that person with a big vehicle demonstating road rage.

It is a question of how to place accountability so it is safe for lightweight cars to achieve what they need to do or is it easier to design separate roadways for lightweights ?

The idea of 230 mpg is perfect it’s beautiful.

By: owlafaye

owlafaye — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:53:19 +0000

The costs involved in building this car are in no way different from any other on the road now. Due to its light weight it will cost that much less. The low power does not mean poor acceleration but rather good gas mileage and very tolerable acceleration. My Geo Metro gets 48 mpg and accelerates tremendously fast when pressed yet weighs just 1650 lbs…all of 49 horsepower!…laughter I expect the VW will be 1200 lbs, 40 horsepower and 160 mpg. on average. Easily attainable in today’s technology. GM, Ford and Chrysler could do the same thing but they are cowards when it comes to low priced, low return vehicles.

By: aiiee

aiiee — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:33:00 +0000

This is not a car that can be built on a large scale. It is all exotic expensive materials usually used in cars costing 1/2 million dollars. so sad, I’d buy this in a heartbeat if it was affordable.

By: pete kostan

pete kostan — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:42:55 +0000

It’s the wave of the future. Let’s all get on , and ride it.

No, but seriously,We need to think about pursueing avenues of interest for the whole world, our childrens world. Europe is already use to it, and the majority of the people drive small cars over there. SUVs are draining the main vein of our world, and Less is more guys. Bottom line, the majority of people need a car like this, and I believe the other people should be taxed on driving big cars, and sucking up all that oil. How selfish?

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:27:17 +0000

Are you kidding me? With a top speed of 75, it is a bit of a safety hazard. But on the same note how many accidents are you planning on getting in? Just drive safely. This thing is BRILLIANT!. With the prices of gas being so high, for those people that have a huge commute or even just a lengthy commute. I would buy one of these things in a flat second. Yes, they are a bit small. I have four kids so I would obviously have to have a secondary family car. But for just me, which is quite an often commute for me since I pretty much only go to work. This thing is freakin awesome. I would kill to get gas mileage like that. I hope the states do find a way to make it legal. Because this would make life so much easier for a lot of people. And maybe it will cut down on accidents since people can only go so fast. You never know. :)

By: Collin Ferguson

Collin Ferguson — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:54:23 +0000

I drive a 1969 Type III, first year automatic. I love my old VW, but if I want her to last, then she has to become a Sunday driver. By 2010, I will be ready to retire my Type III and the L1 would be a perfect replacement. And, 75 MPH would be crazy fast for me… the top speed I’ll drive my Type III is 50 MPH.

By: Jeff Caudell

Jeff Caudell — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:59:36 +0000

The car may be a little small, but if we are to make it in the future common sense tells me to look out for this car! If I’m a teenager I would sya no, but if you’re married you better make some changes to get this one! Can’t wait for it!