Los Angeles Auto Show: Volkswagen GX3

[Overheat]

The three-wheeled GX3, driven through the crowds to its launch at the Volkswagen stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, is a "crossover between sports car and motorcycle", says Volkswagen, representing "pure affordable performance."

Developed by VW's design team in California, it's not just a wacky show car - not only is the prototype fully-functioning, Volkswagen has indicated a clear plan for sales and marketing of this model.

Vital statistics for the GX3 are impressive: acceleration 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, yet urban fuel consumption of 46mpg. It is fitted with a 125bhp version of Volkswagen's 1.6-litre petrol engine, which drives the single rear wheel via a chain and six-speed transmission, and is built around a steel spaceframe chassis construction; its panels are fibreglass and it weighs just 570kg. This example is finished with LED lights, anodized black and gold suspension components, forward-leaning roll hoops and a racing-style cockpit with five-point harnesses. Yet it can carry two people, and still have an 80-litre boot. And if it were to go into production, it would be priced from "less than $17,000".

read more here: http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=13665

 

[oliB]

Saawweeet!! Give that thing a windshield and make it a ragtop and I would buy it over any other roadster!

 

[hajj]

D?j? Vu? :shock: :shock: Didn't Peugeot show something similar last year??
But I love this idea, a pure and fast driving machine

 

[bone]

^yep, but they weren't gonna make it, so VW does

how does it turn? with the front wheels or the rear wheel?

but i think if i had to choose, i would take an atom over this

 

[BlaRo]

Will it come to America? Why would they show it at LA otherwise?

That would scare the crap out of almost everybody here; those seats look barely big enough for one investment banker's buttcheek, much less two Americans.

 

[oliB]

how does it turn? with the front wheels or the rear wheel?

but i think if i had to choose, i would take an atom over this

Steering is probably done via the front wheels. Makes more sense anyway, no idea why Peugeot used the rear wheel...Just to be different I guess.

I would take this over an Atom. Not only because of the price, but it plays an important role. An Atom would be like 3 times more expensive.

 

[bren_35]

An Atom would be like 3 times more expensive.

yes but you don't need a motorcycle license and a helmut to drive an atom

i hope it makes it to production, just because it looks so cool

although i would prefer the EcoRacer they showed at Frankfurt...only without the diesel

 

[hajj]

Why would you need a motorcycle license for this? In the UK it will require a normal car licensem it's too heavy for a B1 license.

 

[anti_analog]

Being classified as a bike in the states allows it to bypass all the crash tests that it totally wouldn't pass!

I want one, for $17k, I might actually buy one!

 

[bartboy9891]

reminds me of the T-Rex

http://img231.imageshack.**/img231/5237/2003campagnatrex3wheelcoupea3j.jpg

 

[JuggernautRM]

Pretty cool looking, saw it in person.

 

[bone]

Will it come to America? Why would they show it at LA otherwise?

to start with they're only gonna release it in the US, the rest of the world will have to wait

 

[Jay]

I know of one company who thought of this EONS ago!

Morgan!

Pretty neat concept, though.

 

[Kowalski]

OMG...don't tell me that Volkswagen now wants to go after Grinnall?!

125 Bhp from a 1.6 16V engine, 0 to 60Mph in just 5.5s and 46 MPG...simply Wow!

But this is just another silly meaningless concept with no chance at all to go into production.

Oh no wait! Apparently, Volkswagen did some research at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and found out, the crazy little thing was a hit and Americans would be willing to pay 17K for it and it's even "car pool lane" approved in California.

This vehicle might just prove a failure. They should leave it as a concept.

Yes, the performance is amazing; and Yes, I applaud Volkswagen for thinking outside the box.

Thing is though: 17K for a vehicle, that is not even a proper car nor a motorcycle? That's just downright ridiculous.

Instead of making silly 3-wheeled concept cars and luxury limousines that nobody buys it, Volkswagen should be more worried improving their reliability, to focus on high-volume cars and trying to save the Spanish SEAT brand.

 

[Scott]

It was shown at the LA show because the VW Moonraker team is based in California and that is where the development has been going on, so it was the most cost effective option.

There is a great write-up on VW Vortex too (and lots more pics).