VW Moves To Lightweight Materials To Boost Fuel Economy

VW shouldn't be the only company using lighter materials to build cars. All car makers should VW's lead.

Did nissan say they were going to do this a long time ago?

Why did I get deboosted. Here is the article from january. http://www.autospies.com/news/Nissan-To-Cut-Vehicle-Weight-By-15-To-Lift-Fuel-Efficiency-24871/

78mpg? WOW!

good move vw.

Good move! Although still behind PML's hybrid mini Cooper. PML's Cooper has 640hp compared to this VW's 70hp? Then again with VW's efficient engine and PML's brushless electric motors this potentially could out perform PML? PML's car runs for four hours before the generators kick, and when the generator kicks in it achieves 80mpg.

Well, how much does THAT cost? Compare it to this, which will most likely cost around $10,000. That's about half the price of a MINI.

I would hate to know what the cost of PML's tech in a one off would cost, If anyone mass produced this tech it would be cost effective. I think that auto companies should be forced to buy cutting edge hybrid tech if they can't match or beat the best.Can you imagine the fuel economy!

I bet all car companies are moving to lighter and stronger materials.. It's just that VW are making a song and dance about it.. whilst other companies are quietly doing it..

mpls, I agree 100% ! Sorry I accidently deboosted you when I was trying to give you a thumbs up.

I'm a bit worried about the aerodynamics of that car. Doesn't exactly send out a "green" message.

Any engine can be measured in cc's. Bentlys 6.75 litre is rougly 6750cc's. Don't forget every 1.0 litre in 1000cc's. Simple metric math. Why do you thing the vortech 6000 is a 6.0l v8? Why id the GM 3800 V6 a 3.8l v6? Units of measurement have no effect on fuel economy, rating our engines in litres is nothing more than a simple mathematical eqation of cc's. For example a Suzuki GSXR Hayabusa is a 1,300cc engine or 1.3 litre. As is a 1.5 litre or 1,500cc. So you mean to tell me is that the engine size in litres is the same as a 1.5 litre AKA 1,500 cc

The Prius averages 6L/100km, that is what all the people tell me. And solar panels on an electric car couldn't hurt, it sounds like a great idea to me, and yes it would probably take a few days to fully charge your batteries with the solar panels but why not. And you are right this would be a hazard to drive on the road with acceleration like that.

I can see maybe using Aluminum bodies or some carbon fiber. Aluminum bodies do dent more easily, and I see a lot of cars riddled with dents on steel bodied cars, aluminum will be worse, and more costly to repair.

Unfortunately the CAFÉ standards of the 80s allowed car makers to use cheap plastic bolts and screws, and the dreaded unsafe donut spare tire.

Now if you have to repair something on your car, you have to drive to a dealer parts counter and find the exact matching bolt, you can no longer use a normal nut and bolt from a hardware store. People have to call a tow truck or limp to a service station to change a flat, if it is after hours your out of luck and have to get an expensive hotel room for the night since these tires are only good for 50 miles.

Fortunately my car has a full size spare in the trunk good for 30,000 miles.

If I owned an economy car, I would buy an extra wheel and Tire for the hatchback, and discard the junk donut. The car would have to have enough room to fit a full-sized wheel.

I’ve noticed the new cars no longer have a metal frame under the dash, there is nothing to drill into if you need to mount a toggle switch. Everything is cardboard and plastic now.

I hear people saying that the carmakers need to start using better quality materials. The fact is, they did use Steel and Aluminum and chrome, but the trend is in the opposite direction toward cheaper and lighter as opposed to quality.

Mercuryguy,I drive a 2007 civic and your idea of replacing the donut for a real full size tire is a great idea! One of my mechanics teachers said that cars are always getting better and better and I was initially reluctant to believe him, although now I believe him 100%, cars are always improving in crash standards and performance and instead of getting lighter cars are getting bigger and heavier,(compare an 80's civic to todays 2008) then again todays comparably sized car is defiantly lighter, except for the trucks that are getting significantly heavier. You have to love those classic cars like the 427 super cobra jet cobra! ...Are those the quality cars that you are referring to? And in off road racing aluminum roll cages are not allowed by SEMA because they do not protect and bend like steel, they crack.
I would like to see vehicles made with Chromolly tube frames with carbon fiber bodies.It's the safety cage that saves your ass in an accident not the body panels.

I agree, a cage might be the way of the future since weight is being reduced. Carges are strong and light since they are hollow.

I like the idea that Japanees xars are heading toward RWD and larger. I like the New Accord and Toyota Avalon. I feel extremely safe driving a Town Car due to the truck-like steel twin rail frame underneath. I like the fact that I can jack the car from almost anywhere as opposed to uni-body.