Tow vehicle of the future?

[MC1]

Thinking it would look great in front of any glass egg.

Volkswagen?s New 300 MPG Car Not Allowed In America Because It Is Too Efficient | Spirit Science

[Terry G]

That's an interesting vehicle although I doubt it would be able to tow much more than a kid's red Radio Flyer wagon. I would have hoped for a bit more information to back up claims of Volkswagen's vehicle not being allowed into the US. Of course, the website that published it also has great articles like "Discover the Secret of Opening Your Chakras" and "Become a Channel for Cosmic Information". So believe what you want.

[KevinPete]

Might look great, but wouldn't tow much. No reason the engine tech couldn't be adapted to a heavier vehicle. Might not be 300 MPG, but still better than I get now. Article would have been much better without the histrionics though.

[MC1]

Quote: The XL1 could reach a top speed in excess of 110 mph absent governor and turns in a 0-60 time of 11.5 seconds which is by no means leisurly for a car designed for efficiency.

The 11.5sec 0 to 60 time is impressive. That is the same as our 1993 Nissan Mini Van. That Nissan van towed our 23' trailer for many years. I'm speculating the potential is there. Unfortunately it may be some time before someone has the opportunity to do a tow test.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I remember the 50 to 100 mpg carburetor of the 1950 and 60s.

First question US import of this vehicle. Is it a production vehicle available in other parts of the world.
Second question US regulates a lot of stuff concerning vehicles, which of the US regulations doesn't this meet.

This article seems to be written as though there some conspiracy by the US government and ??? to keep this car out of the US.

[Carol H]

Quote from the websIte " And irrelevant “lightweight” parts are added to the frame, consisting of carbon fiber and other exotic materials to add to the mystique. But the materials and production limits are a load of BUNK, the car STILL weighs over 1,700 pounds"

LOL how comfortable would you be pulling a trailer with a car that weighs the same as the trailer or less than half of what many of us are towing? What happens if the brake controller packs it in suddenly?

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Carol H

LOL how comfortable would you be pulling a trailer with a car that weighs the same as the trailer or less than half of what many of us are towing?

???

Our trailer weighs more than our car. Drives like it is on rails. Feels very comfortable.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by MC1

???

Feels very comfortable.

To you!

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Carol H

To you!

So true Carol and I am very, very, particular about the rig I drive with regards to how it handles and performs.

[james kent]

Although not gas- electric, didn't the very first Hondas of years ago also start out with a motorcycle engine. It looks similar to the Tri wheeled cars that mechanix illustrated brought forward years ago too. My nine year old Crossfire appears to have more room for a two seater and does the 0-60 in about half the time. No it does not get 300 mpg, but it does OK and will even carry home some groceries on occasion


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[frank_a]

Not allowed in America because it's too efficient? Yuk, yuk, yuk.

snopes.com: Is Volkswagen's 300 MPG Car Banned in the U.S.?

[KevinPete]

The car is a plug-in diesel hybrid. It's not $60,000, it would be about $160,000.

Google is our friend:

Wikipedia

Snopes

Volkswagen site (whoulda thunk?)

and finally, Jalopnik, who test drove an XL1 in Manhattan, one of three cars on tour in the US as of last December.

[frank_a]

Hmm, 160K is a bit out of my price range, by about, hmmm, 160K!

Frank

[KevinPete]

Just did the math, 300 mpg would have saved me around $700 last year compared to my 5.7 Hemi that is paid for.

[frank_a]

At $700/yr, that would get you almost 230 years of similar mileage vs. that 160K car, everything equal of course.

[Bob Miller]

Yep, I remember the "Fish" 100 MPG carb that the oil companies bought up to keep it off the market, and that was in the 1950's and it was an old story then.

But, as usual SNOPES sorts it all out....
snopes.com: Is Volkswagen's 300 MPG Car Banned in the U.S.?

And what happens to MPG on any of our high mileage cars today when we add a trailer, down the tube it goes.

When a car is designed and tuned to a maximum limit, adding anything, from an extra suitcase to a heavy passenger to, heaven forbid, a trailer, it all goes in the loo.....

[floyd]

I saw nothing in that article but a paranoid diatribe against the people who supply the means by which we all get to work, and to the campsite... and at margins narrower than almost every other product which is delivered by the same means.
The Elio ,on the other hand, is American made and supposed to be available soon. It is simple , cheap and realistic!...

Elio Motors

[MC1]

Originally Posted by james kent

Although not gas- electric, didn't the very first Hondas of years ago also start out with a motorcycle engine.

I am not that informed about the technology involved with these vehicles but I really think the idea of having a battery powered vehicle with a small gas engine to keep the charge up is the way to go. By that there is unlimited drive time and no need to stop at recharge stations.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by KevinPete

Just did the math, 300 mpg would have saved me around $700 last year compared to my 5.7 Hemi that is paid for.

I did some math too. You must only drive that hemi to church every other Sunday.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by MC1

???

Our trailer weighs more than our car. Drives like it is on rails. Feels very comfortable.

Certainly most fifth wheels weigh more than their tow vehicles as well as many trailers weigh more than their tow vehicles, though a smaller percentage than fifth wheels..