Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept Debuts in Los Angeles

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The financial crisis has definitely changed people’s perception with regards to new vehicle models and gas-guzzlers, hence why the Germans from Volkswagen have been working on coming up with a concept car, that is supposedly the most fuel-efficient in the world.Dubbed Volkswagen Up! Lite and unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the new four wheeler is a technical extension of the L1 Concept that saw daylight earlier this year in Frankfurt.

The new Volkswagen Up!Lite is powered by a 2-cylinder 0.8-litre TDI engine that outputs 38kW (51hp) at 4,000rpm and 120Nm of torque, together with a 10kW (14hp) electric motor that draws juice from a lithium-ion battery — all these for an overall 65 horsepower output. Mated to a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), a start/stop system and regenerative brakes, the new VW Lite!Up manages to only consume 2.44 litres of fuel for every 100km (72mpg).

And if you thought the little bugger is compromising performance for “green” specs, you’re wrong. The car is clad mainly in aluminum, steel and carbon fibre which helps it sprint from naught to 100km/h in 12.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).

If the outside gets the eye with the 18″ wheels and the LED daytime running lights, on the inside, the Volkswagen Lite!Up is just as appealing with a 5.7-inch touch screen, an MP3 player, Internet connection and a telephone.

Not bad, eh? No word if it will ever hit production lines though!