27 Nov 08 14:36
The launch of Volkswagen's 117mpg two-seater has been brought forward to meet increasing demand for fuel-efficient city vehicles, reports AutoWeek.
This tiny two-seater is intended to rival the Smart Fortwo. It will be substantially shorter and smaller than the upcoming new Lupo (production version of the Up! concept, but now with conventional front-engined layout), with a lower roof and more aerodynamic bodystyle. It will share much of the Lupo's underpinnings and have a similar front-end design.
Besides an ultra-economical 1.2-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine capable of 117mpg, a direct-injection petrol 1.2 will also be offered. This will be a four-cylinder, but with cylinder deactivation (so-called 'displacement on demand' technology) to shut down two cylinders when cruising. Electric versions are also under development.
A name has also been suggested for this two-seater: Chico, as used by Volkswagen on a city car concept back in 1992. This original Chico was a 2+2-seater tiddler with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain - well ahead of its time.
