Single-seat VW to be sold in China for $600, gets 258 mpg

[begin_within]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=661_1276863233
http://iceteamochadreamz.blogspot.com/2010/03/us600-car-from-china-coming-soon.html
http://www.funnyforwards.co.cc/volkswagen-single-seater-coming-soon/

[hlthe2b]

1. Ugly, but economical...

Probably never pass safety standards here as I doubt it has airbags...

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Technically speaking,

It would only need one airbag ;) but you're right, it's unlikely that it would pass U.S. safety standards. A one-person car makes a lot of sense though.

[uncommon]

4. Funny how we still allow motorcycles but not fuel efficient small cars...

[melm00se]

9. "allow"

motorcycles?

why? because you feel that they are too dangerous? noisy? something else?

most bicycles are capable of attaining fatal crash speeds (hell falling off a chair can attain fatal crash speeds).

[dsc]

12. I think the poster's point was that safe standards preclude the Chinese car

while letting motorcycles which have no discernable safty features. It is a somewhat valid point.

[uncommon]

15. Precisely. And yes, it is "allow" - the government decides if you can legally own and operate

a motorcycle.

Also, while bicycles can attain certain speeds, they can't attain the speeds that motorcycles can and you can't ride them on the highway.

[Alcibiades]

13. I think they are talking about the NHTSA NCAP requirements

No motorcycle or really tiny car could meet them. They do test helmets, though.

[uncommon]

17. Yes, the government "allows" individuals to own and operate motorcycles.

Yeah, they are dangerous, but I don't care - the point is, if they are allowed, these very small cars should be allowed too.

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. Actually;

.
.
.

" Autoblog notes, "Safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control aren't lacking, but convenience items like air conditioning may be optional."

/snip/

Whether the 1L would be sold in the U.S. market isn't yet clear. Not much about this strange car is clear. But Flattrack claims, "It meets all US safety standards."

Because of its light weight, VW says the car doesn't need power steering or brake assist to perform up to the standards of a typical car. In order to streamline the profile, it also doesn't use mirrors -- cameras show the driver what is beside and behind the car.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/080702-VW-May-Produce-282-MPG-Two-Seat-Car/">more

sumthing to ponder

[uncommon]

3. I think I'm in love.

[Sea Witch]

5. Love it!

[Motown_Johnny]

6. someone put a cover on a go cart?

how clever

[TheKentuckian]

7. This is the direction we should be going in to bridge

[AsahinaKimi]

8. I think its cute

I would own one..

[Schema Thing]

10. Sorry, but I just don't believe that is going to sell for $600.

Six Thousand *might* be more believable, but probably not that either.

[uncommon]

16. Could be $600 in China - wouldn't be in the US.

[elifino]

14. Who do I make the check out too?

[Juche]

18. China has lower safety standards, among other things

So if the car is redesigned in the US it will cost more than $600.

The Tata Nano is about $2500 in India, but I think it would go for $8000 or more in the US because of our interstate speeds requiring a better engine, our emission standards (catalytic converters, etc) and safety standards will require tons of upgrades. The basic model in India (and likely China) wouldn't pass inspection tests in the US.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5446934.cms

But if they can sell this in the US for even $3000 new and make it halfway safe and capable of maintaining interstate speeds, I bet they would sell millions.

[slackmaster]

19. Looks like a prop from the movie Demolition Man

Does it fill up with styrofoam when you crash it?

[progressoid]

20. I WANT!

[flvegan]

21. Perfectly coffin-sized.

[uncommon]

22. Wouldn't be dangerous if there weren't so many ghastly huge cars on the road.

[snooper2]

23. I wouldn't trust the info in any of those links

they have had this concept car out since 2002...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T4FQD7kWbk&feature=related

[Schema Thing]

25. exactly. When VW tells us they are going to sell it for $600.00, I'll believe it.

[NickB79]

24. If you need to get around a semi-trailer, you can just drive under it. NT

[Schema Thing]

26. The price part is an internet hoax.

[pgodbold]

27. I want one but will have to wait for A/C version.. Florida and climate change must have A/C.

[localroger]

30. Florida + climate change --> pontoons too maybe?

Same here in southern Louisiana.

[AnArmyVeteran]

28. I'm gonna wait and buy the 2 seater for $1,200

[Codeine]

29. I call bullshit on both figures. nt

[xultar]

31. Looks like a turd spiraled out by a Dashund. Just sayin

[SoCalDem]

32. License plate reads "Wobbly"

:rofl:


Definitions of Wobbly:

* noun: a member of the Industrial Workers of the World
* adjective: inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

[Fumesucker]

33. German cars tend to have pretty tight suspensions..

Unlike say lots of American sedans for which the term "barge" was coined not only for their size but for their less than crisp handling characteristics.

[LTX]

34. Depends on the car:

There are German "barges" and American cars with "tight suspensions." In today's car market, the old stereotypes don't really work.