VW has unveiled their Up! Lite concept at this years Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Volkswagen Up! Lite aims to be the most fuel-efficient four-seat passenger car in the world with a 800 cc TDI engine. The engine of the Volkswagen Up! Lite is based on the 1,6-litre TDI and develops 38 kW at 4 000 rpm and 120 N.m of torque. The Volkswagen Up! Lite also has an Eco mode, which at a press of a button reduces the power output to 26 kW. Furthermore, a 10 kW electric motor – designed as a pulse start module (starter, alternator and E-drive) – also reduces the load on the TDI engine, providing added propulsion and works to recover kinetic energy (regenerative braking). During boost phases – e.g. when overtaking – the TDI and E-motor combine for a total power of 48 kW. Incidentally, a version of the TDI used in the Volkswagen Up! Lite was also used aboard the L1 concept car that Volkswagen presented in September at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt.

In two of its operating phases, the hybrid drive of the Volkswagen Up! Lite was designed to operate without any TDI propulsion at all. First phase: In so-called coast-down, activated by the driver taking his or her foot off the accelerator (car coasts, TDI engine is shut off). Second phase: Over shorter distances, e.g. in residential areas, the E-motor can power the Volkswagen Up! Lite all by itself. In this case, a lithium-ion battery supplies the energy. Since it is capable of pure electric driving, the configuration is classified as a full hybrid. Gear changes are handled by a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) like the one used in the new Polo. Moreover, the Volkswagen is equipped with a Stop-Start system.

The body of the Volkswagen Up! Lite, it’s built from a combination of aluminum and carbon fibre to achieve an overall weight of just 695 kg. The carbon fibre roof weighs only 3.3 kilograms and by comparison the identical panel size in steel would weigh around 9.5 kgs, or 5.1 kgs in aluminium.

VW says the car will offer a fuel economy of 2.44 L/100km on the highway.

Helping to achieve this low consumption figure are the aerodynamics of the Up! Lite. Edges and recesses are simply not to be found on this car. Even the radiator air inlet at the front end is only opened when needed to regulate engine temperature (‘active thermal management’). The results are a slippery shape that cuts through the air with a drag coefficient of 0.237 Cd.

VW says despite the low fuel consumption, the Volkswagen Up! Lite offers enough interior room for four passengers and their luggage. The concept car is also equipped with completely new and intuitive displays that replace more traditional instruments.

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