Up! Lite: the most fuel efficient four-seater in the world

Posted December 9, 2009 | Category: Cars

Volkswagen, the largest automotive brand in Europe, with its high-tech efficient engines TSI and TDI, sets global standards of efficiency. At the Los Angeles Motor Show (December 4 to 13) will be previewed a new feature: Up! Lite, a four-seater hybrid studied in details to be highly innovative and further reduce fuel consumption. With an average consumption of only 2.44 l/100 km, in fact, is unbeatable in terms of sustainability. Thanks to the solution adopted in propulsion, ie the combination of TDI (diesel), electric motor and DSG double-clutch 7-speed and excellent aerodynamics (coefficient of drag coefficient of 0.237), the Volkswagen Up! Lite reduces CO2 emissions to the incredible value of 65 g / km. What makes this prototype three-door four-seater the most fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly for all CO2 emissions in the world. Both technically, and aesthetically, the Up! Lite is the future while at the same time shows all the charm of the outline of a body carved from a single piece of aluminum and the appeal of a car passed the maximum aerodynamics.
A "2 liter" technologically advanced that it may soon circulated throughout the world. This Volkswagen weighing just 695 kg is based largely on components of the future New Small Family, a completely new series that will be introduced in the first markets towards the end of 2011. The concept Up! Lite continues the strategy of Volkswagen, which aims to provide quality high-tech cars in the top level of all classes, thus making it accessible to all progress. The Up! Lite was designed as a master of versatility, able to deal with getting around the city, the daily route to the place of work and, of course, the long trips so much more economical and environmentally friendly.
With regard to the propulsive technique, the heart of the Up! Lite is the newest engine turbo 0.8-liter two-cylinder TDI with 51 hp, supported by an electric motor (10 kW). The latter, designed as a form of pulse start (starter, alternator and electric motor), is also able to provide an extra boost and to recover the kinetic energy (energy recovery system). In the boost phase, for example to overtake quickly, the TDI engine and the electric motor can supply a total of 65 hp. A derivative of TDI mounted on Up! Lite, on the other hand, was also used aboard the L1 prototype, presented by Volkswagen in September at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
The hybrid's Up! Lite has been designed in such a way that the car can operate without the intervention of the TDI engine in two phases of operation: during the so-called coasting, activated by the release of the accelerator pedal, in which the vehicle proceeds and the TDI engine remains switched off , and when driving over short distances, for example, in residential areas, in which the electric motor is able to operate only from the Up! Lite. In the latter case, the energy required is supplied by a lithium ion battery. With the ability to dispose of pure electric propulsion, this type of propulsion is classified as a full hybrid. The gearshifts are via a DSG double-clutch 7-speed, used for example in the new Polo. Volkswagen also has automatic start / stop.
Of course, the Up! Lite not waived at all the comfort and safety. The car, equipped with ESP, has a very spacious interior complete with airbags, the latest command and information systems. Not to mention the good feeling of being inside a body made ​​of aluminum, steel and carbon fiber, highly innovative in terms of safety. The Volkswagen prototype achieves a top speed of 160 km / h with good acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 12.5 seconds.
The Up! Lite is a concentrate of the most innovative solutions in engineering, not only on the front of the efficiency of propulsion and lightweight body. Just think, for example, the radiator grille that closes and opens automatically depending on the cooling required by the engine, or the function of classical mirrors now turning three cameras with better results and with a distinct advantage in aerodynamic terms. To this are added other features: the car is turned off, in summer the hot air is then drained out in a targeted manner (passive ventilation at a standstill), the Easy Entry optimized makes it extremely easy both access and exit from rear seats, the seat of the driver and passenger seats automatically adjust its height based on the longitudinal adjustment, the backrest of the rear bench seat is released by simply folding the rear headrests (Easy Switch) controls for vehicle settings (including ventilation , wireless Internet, phone, MP3, video, telephone, trip computer, radio) are centralized and take place through an intuitive touch screen with motion sensors.
Even the most innovative car must be aesthetically appealing to breaking in and Up! Lite, painted in the color-specific "Liquidblau metallic" is. With its 3.84 meters long, 1.40 meters high and 1.60 meters wide, the Up! Lite comes with a futuristic look and absolutely original. A car "derived" from a single piece. Compared to the E-Up! presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show last September, this car is lowered and long (almost like the Polo, which reached 3.98 meters) so that we can meet aerodynamic requirements even higher.
The design is that of a compact car, from which transpire clearly the sustainability of propulsion and innovative power of design. The Up! Lite has a rear part extremely verticalized, like that of a sports car. The wide shoulder line reminiscent of the Scirocco.
The area also has the typical look of the rear design Up!, Characterized by its rear, LED tail groups and the C-shaped rear fog lamp integrated in the bumper, fog lamps reminiscent of the front bumper. The side profile is characterized by well-defined lines and an extremely smooth surface and uniform. Except it's more characteristic curve, the wheel arches and the line connecting them, the absence of edges is total. The side cameras, replacement door mirrors, perform the same function of the fins at the ends of the wings of airliners. The novelty is that stylistic technique consists of the 18 "wheels, made ​​of composite material of aluminum and carbon fiber. This is because sportiness and fuel savings need not be contradictory.
The fact that today we can achieve, in all segments, the minimum values ​​are shown relative to consumption in Europe today with the latest versions of the Volkswagen Polo (3.3 l/100 km), Golf (3.8 l/100 km ) and Passat (4.4 l/100 km).

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