That's badass. I'd totally drive that.
Volkswagen Reveals EcoRacer Concept for Tokyo Show
More pics/infoVolkswagen revealed its halo concept car for the Tokyo motor show, the EcoRacer. Bodied of carbon fiber, the mid-engined roadster gets around 69 mpg from VW’s 1.4-liter diesel Twincharger engine (that supercharged/turbocharged gizmo revealed in Frankfurt). Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) comes in 6.3 seconds (using VW’s DSG double-clutch autoshift box) and the racer can reach a top speed of 142 mph. The carbon-fiber body structure uses a polycoque design — which we know is used in boats, but couldn’t define even if we’d had our coffee yet. Something about using two separate structures, one for each passenger area, each supported by the strength of its outer shell.
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What? No one thinks 0-62 in 6.3 secs and 69mpg is freakin' awesome!?
Yes, 6.3 seconds to 62 and 69mpg is freaking awesome, but there is obviously no way this car will make it into production with a carbon fibre body and the unique frame. DSG doesn't get me excited either. The best feature is the engine, which is most likely to make it into production, but putting it into a normal vehicle, I'm guessing you can cut the mpg to half, which would still be impressive.
Nice concept, but not too exciting.
Nice concept, but not too exciting.
You have to start somewhere and this concept is the closest thing I've seen as to the "future of sports cars". While CF may not be viable, some sort of new composite material would be... this is the kind of things companies need to be working on.Yes, 6.3 seconds to 62 and 69mpg is freaking awesome, but there is obviously no way this car will make it into production with a carbon fibre body and the unique frame. DSG doesn't get me excited either. The best feature is the engine, which is most likely to make it into production, but putting it into a normal vehicle, I'm guessing you can cut the mpg to half, which would still be impressive.
Nice concept, but not too exciting.
Also, have you driven a new DSG (as in the A3)? I've not been a fan of auto-manual gearboxes in the past but the VW system is the best that I've tried (granted, I haven't driven a Ferrari with the F1 system).
The biggest problem with using something other then steel on a car is that its extremely expensive to fix! There aren't many shops out there that can handle aluminum cars from Audi or Jaguar, and if they get into a wreck, the insurance company totals them normally.You have to start somewhere and this concept is the closest thing I've seen as to the "future of sports cars". While CF may not be viable, some sort of new composite material would be... this is the kind of things companies need to be working on.
Compsite materials have the same problem, its a good idea, but wont really take off...
It CAN take off given the right infrastructure for repairs and service, as well as practical limitations for removable panels. I'm all for composite or aluminum decklids, fenders, doors, and hoods... If you bungle it up, replace it!Compsite materials have the same problem, its a good idea, but wont really take off...
Exactly. It NEEDS to take off. Cars need to get lighter!It CAN take off given the right infrastructure for repairs and service, as well as practical limitations for removable panels. I'm all for composite or aluminum decklids, fenders, doors, and hoods... If you bungle it up, replace it!Compsite materials have the same problem, its a good idea, but wont really take off...
Dont' get me wrong, I fully understand that you have start somewhere, and that's exactly what a concept car is for. I just can't get excited about it, because it will be a decade before we even get close to something like that. It's the same reason I can't get excited about watching F1 or NASCAR races, I'd much rather watch something that I have the opportunity to drive myself.You have to start somewhere and this concept is the closest thing I've seen as to the "future of sports cars". While CF may not be viable, some sort of new composite material would be... this is the kind of things companies need to be working on.Yes, 6.3 seconds to 62 and 69mpg is freaking awesome, but there is obviously no way this car will make it into production with a carbon fibre body and the unique frame. DSG doesn't get me excited either. The best feature is the engine, which is most likely to make it into production, but putting it into a normal vehicle, I'm guessing you can cut the mpg to half, which would still be impressive.
Nice concept, but not too exciting.
Also, have you driven a new DSG (as in the A3)? I've not been a fan of auto-manual gearboxes in the past but the VW system is the best that I've tried (granted, I haven't driven a Ferrari with the F1 system).
I test drove the A3 before I bought the Legacy GT Limited Wagon, to see if I could wait for the A3 V6 DSG Quattro to be released, and while it is much better than any manual-auto I've driven before including the one in the Bentley, it still isn't better than a manual to me for driving pleasure, I've seen that some of them provide faster acceleration and better mpg, but I still feel too uninvolved. I have no doubt that the DSG is the future of transmissions, but it's still not up to a level where I'm willing to pay for one and will still turn down buying a vehicle if I don't have the choice of a manual transmission.
I'm just stating the reason why I personally don't get excited about seeing these type of concept cars, it doesn't mean that I don't think the manufacturers shouldn't build and show them.
And it's not that I don't think carbon fibre will make it to a VW one day, I just think we'll see it on an Audi before we see it on a VW, but I could be wrong with the way VW keeps changing the market it's going after.
The body shops will eventually catch up, it's not just Audis and Jaguars that are using Aluminum on their bodies. The EVO, STi/STI and Legacy GT's use a decent amount of Aluminum and I haven't heard of any body shops afraid to work on those cars. Prices will come down evenutally too.
I thought I remember hearing the fenders on the new Z06 are CF..... But maybe I'm being stupid like usual.
Exactly. It NEEDS to take off. Cars need to get lighter!It CAN take off given the right infrastructure for repairs and service, as well as practical limitations for removable panels. I'm all for composite or aluminum decklids, fenders, doors, and hoods... If you bungle it up, replace it!Compsite materials have the same problem, its a good idea, but wont really take off...
I concur with my colleague Omni on this one. Call it modular build/replacement. Or whatever.
And yes, 0-62 in 6.3 secs and 69mpg is fantastic!
From JALOPNIK:
This thing's kind of like Paris Hilton. I can't figure out whether it's ugly or hot.
3
looks too much like a shoe to me
but the performance/engine/technology is awesome, im happy more automakers are heading to the future low/no crude oil and not the past like Dodge
-chris
but the performance/engine/technology is awesome, im happy more automakers are heading to the future low/no crude oil and not the past like Dodge
-chris
how light are we talking? light as an Elise?
OMG it has FOUR wheels! looks just like a [other car]
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